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Frequently ask Questions What do we do?
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Unbundled Legal Services of Louisiana Nancy R. Landry, Attorney and Counselor at Law, LLC
What are “Unbundled Legal Services”?
Also called “limited scope representation” or “discrete tasks representation”, unbundling is a way that an attorney can help you with part of your case while you do the rest. For Example:
In contrast, traditional representation requires the attorney to represent you on the entire case, including providing advice, preparing documents, and appearing at court proceedings. Traditional representation is more costly to the client.
With unbundling, you may be able to handle the whole case yourself, except for a few technical areas, such as community property issues, where the attorney can help you. It really is between you and the attorney how much of your case you hire him or her to do. The lawyer and client work together to allocate the division of tasks.
It is important to discuss all aspects of your case (even those that you think are simple) with your attorney before deciding which parts you want to do yourself and which ones the attorney will assist you with. It is equally important to realize that there may be important legal issues presented by your case that you aren’t even aware of. You could be at serious legal risk and not even realize the risk exists.
Sometimes new issues will pop up after your case has started. If they do, it is important to advise your attorney and discuss them so that you know the potential legal consequences. Remember you and your attorney are working as a team. That means good communication and a clear understanding of each person’s assignments is essential.
If you elect to use unbundled services, you should be aware that this results in the lawyer having limited responsibilities to you and may result in the lawyer having limited liability to you. While the lawyer must represent you competently on the tasks assigned to him or her, you maintain the ultimate control and responsibility on the case.
How do I decide if unbundled legal services are right for me?
First, consider the level of complication of your case. If it is a simple matter, such as an uncontested divorce where no children and no opposing attorney are involved, it is a better candidate for unbundled services than a more complicated case such as a contested custody case with an opposing attorney.
Second, consider your own personal make-up. If you have trouble speaking in public, speaking clearly, or organizing your thoughts and presenting them to others, or if you have difficulty understanding what is happening in your case, then you may have a greater need to hire a lawyer for traditional representation. Remember that if you choose to appear in court without a lawyer, the judge cannot show favoritism to either side and is likely to hold you to the same standard and same rules to which he holds the opposing attorney. In a complicated case, this may be very difficult.
Below is a checklist that may help you decide whether to use unbundled legal services or traditional representation. The more “yes” answers you check, the more likely you are to benefit from unbundled legal services.
1. I can make good decisions under pressure. 2. I keep a running balance in my checkbook. 3. I am good at handling details. 4. I follow through on deadlines. 5. I can easily ask for help when I am stuck. 6. I am very patient. 7. I can make decisions without being terrified of making the wrong decisions. 8. I am computer literate and can compose letters on my computer. 9. I am capable of separating my feelings of anger or revenge from the legal issues and can assume legal work in a detached way.10. I can read technical documents effectively. 11. I can keep documents and calendars organized. 12. I have time to spend representing myself. 13. My eyesight, hearing, and other physical or mental conditions permit me to represent myself. 14. I have completed a high school education or higher level. 15. I am comfortable paying a professional to help me with some of the work. 16. I have transportation to get me to the courthouse, the attorney’s office and the law library. 17. I like the idea of working with an attorney but maintaining the responsibility of the case myself. 18. I appreciate that my lawyer is willing to work with me to help me save fees. 19. I know who the opposing attorney is and feel comfortable working with him/her. 20. I make too much money to qualify for free legal services.
Finally, weigh the pros and cons of hiring a lawyer versus the risk of what you could lose if you make a mess of your case on your own. Sometimes, money spent on professional assistance now will save you money in the future. You might want to speak to two or three attorneys before you make a final decision.
If I want a lawyer, how do I find one?
There are many ways to find a lawyer. You can ask friends or family for referrals. You can contact your local bar association or you can look in the yellow pages or newspaper.
Although many lawyers provide unbundled services to their clients when requested, Unbundled Legal Services of Louisiana is the only law firm with a primary focus on offering this type of customer oriented service.
If you would like more information, please contact us at 337.235.0304. We are now providing private investigations State Wide in Mississippi.
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