Is Limited Assistance Legal Representation Right For You?
In this time of economic crisis, it can be difficult for many people to pay a large retainer for full representation in a case pending in the probate and family court. As a service to her clients, attorney Girard has completed the requisite training and certification so that she may offer Limited Assistance Representation to her clients. Limited Assistance Representation is not for everyone or every case and attorney Girard assists her clients in determining if Limited Assistance Representation is the right choice for a particular matter.
What Is Limited Assistance Representation?
Limited Assistance Representation allows an attorney and client to enter into an agreement whereby the attorney’s role in the case is limited to a portion of the case. For instance, a client may retain the attorney for the limited purpose of drafting pleadings or representing the client at a specific Hearing. The client is, however, at all times, considered self-represented, and the attorney’s appearance in the case is limited to that which the client has retained the attorney to do.
How Does Limited Assistance Representation Work?
The attorney and client enter into an agreement that clearly defines the services that the attorney is being hired to complete on a limited basis. If the attorney is retained to draft pleadings for the client, the attorney must write on the bottom of each page drafted “prepared with the assistance of counsel” and the client signs the pleading. If the attorney is hired to represent the client at a hearing then the attorney files a Notice of Limited Appearance at the commencement of the Limited Representation. Once the attorney has completed the particular hearing, the attorney files a Notice of Withdrawal of Limited Appearance. Should there be a subsequent hearing for which the client desires the attorney’s representation, the attorney must be re-retained.