Legal Definitions - unbundled legal services

Unbundled legal services, also known as limited scope representation, refers to a model where a lawyer provides assistance for only specific, agreed-upon tasks or stages of a legal matter, rather than handling the entire case from start to finish. In this arrangement, the client remains responsible for other aspects of their case, often performing tasks that a lawyer would typically handle, such as filing documents, conducting negotiations, or representing themselves in court.

This approach can make legal help more accessible and affordable, as clients pay only for the particular services they need. It allows individuals to choose which parts of their case require professional legal expertise and which parts they feel capable of managing on their own.

• Example 1: Divorce Document Preparation

  A couple decides to pursue an amicable divorce and agrees on most terms, but they want to ensure their legal documents are correctly drafted. They hire a lawyer solely to prepare the divorce petition, marital settlement agreement, and child custody plan. The lawyer does not represent them in court, file the documents, or participate in negotiations; the couple handles these steps themselves. This illustrates unbundled legal services because the lawyer's role is limited to a specific task (document drafting) rather than full representation throughout the entire divorce process.

• Example 2: Contract Review for a Small Business

  A small business owner is about to sign a new commercial lease agreement and wants a legal professional to review the document for any unfavorable clauses or potential risks. They engage a lawyer specifically for this review and to provide a summary of key terms and potential issues. The business owner then handles all negotiations with the landlord and signs the final agreement without further legal involvement. Here, the lawyer's service is "unbundled" to a single, defined task: reviewing a contract and offering advice, rather than managing the entire negotiation or transaction.

• Example 3: Eviction Defense Coaching

  A tenant receives an eviction notice and cannot afford full legal representation. They hire a lawyer for a consultation to understand their rights, learn how to respond to the notice, and receive coaching on how to present their case in court. The lawyer provides legal advice and strategy but does not appear in court with the tenant or file any documents on their behalf. This is an example of unbundled legal services because the lawyer's assistance is limited to providing guidance and education, with the client taking on the responsibility for self-representation in court.