LAW OFFICES OF ALAN SHIFMAN

Limited Scope Representation (LSR) is a way that you can use a lawyer to help you, so that the lawyer is helping with only certain parts of your case, as you choose.  

Examples:

• You can just consult a lawyer and get legal information and advice about your case when you need it

• You can hire the lawyer to represent you on certain issues in your case (such as child support and/or custody) while you do the rest yourself

• You can hire the lawyer to prepare the forms and other court documentation but file them yourself and represent yourself at the hearings

• You can hire the lawyer to coach you on how to represent yourself at the court hearings and help in the preparation of evidence that you will present in court

• You can hire the lawyer to help you with the more complicated parts of your case such as discovery and legal research while you do the simpler tasks yourself

If you chose to handle your case this way, remember that communication and teamwork is the key to success in limited scope representation cases. You must make sure to discuss your legal matter with the attorney in detail and ask questions about issues that are not clear to you. Remember that you and your attorney must have a clear understanding of each others’ assignments.

What are the benefits of LSR?

The benefit to you is that you can use your litigation budget best by doing the simpler parts of the case yourself and focusing the attorney’s time on the complicated tasks that you do not think you can do effectively yourself. This way you keep greater control of your case then if the attorney was handling the entire case.

Remember that the attorney has had the education and experience to work on the more technical parts of your case, guide you throughout the court process, and spot important legal issues that you may not see on your own.  

Judicial Acceptance

The courts accept this type of legal assistance because it can help self-represented litigants get as much assistance that will protect their rights. An attorney at your side in a limited scope manner will give you an opportunity of covering all bases when you present your case.