What is Limited Assistance Representation in Divorce and is it for You?
If you are filing for divorce, you have three options with regard to representation: represent yourself, hire a divorce attorney to represent you, or hire an attorney to represent you on certain portions of your divorce. Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) is when an attorney is hired to assist a litigant with a portion of his / her legal matter, rather representing them during the entire case. As of May 1, 2009, LAR is allowed in all Divisions of the Probate and Family Court.
What are the benefits of
Limited Assistance Representation?
There are some benefits with LAR. The litigant can hire an attorney for the more crucial parts of the case, which includes, but is not limited to, a motion hearing or pre-trial conference. This allows the party to choose specifically what portion he/she is seeking assistance in, without having to pay the costs of an attorney which is fully representing you in your case.
Can you hire an attorney
for Limited Assistance Representation later in the divorce?
The litigant can decide to hire the attorney to complete tasks at any time during the process. You can also hire the same attorney during different parts of the process. Addendums to the original fee agreement that specifies the additional tasks to be completed will be given to the litigant.
What are some of the
responsibilities of an attorney hired for Limited Assistance Representation?
An attorney who is providing LAR services can help in the drafting of documents on behalf of the litigant to file in court, they can provide coaching so the party knows what to expect and discuss certain applicable rules and procedures, and an LAR attorney can also appear in court for a part or parts of the case by filing a Notice of Limited Appearance and then filling for a Notice of Withdrawal of Limited Appearance.
Can anyone use Limited
Assistance Representation?
Anyone can use LAR for a specific aspect or aspects of their case. The cost of the service will be negotiated between you and your attorney.
Can any attorney provide
Limited Assistance Representation?
An attorney, regardless of experience, must go through mandatory training in order to provide Limited Assistance Representation. Since this is a mandatory requirement, the State of Massachusetts provides general information as well as where to find qualified attorneys through the Mass.gov website .
If you are having difficulty finding an attorney to provide Limited Assistance Representation, you can contact our law firm, Fernandez Socci & Nieves Family Law. Our office provides Limited Assistance Representation services. If you have any questions regarding LAR, please do not hesitate to call (978) 681-5454 or email info@fsnfamilylaw.com or fill out or web form on our Contact page.
About the Firm
For more information and to discuss your situation with an experienced family law / divorce attorney in North Andover, MA, please visit our website. To learn more about the U.S. News & World Report of Fernandez, Socci & Nieves Family Law, click here .
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