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In the
"limited representation"
or "unbundled legal
assistance" model
of conflict resolution,
the client acts as his
or her own case manager
and takes primary
responsibility for the
divorce, making use of
legal counsel on an " as
needed" basis to help in
resolving specific
issues, talking with
witnesses or experts,
and drafting documents
such as pleadings, child
support worksheets,
agreements, and
financial affidavits.
The lawyer can also
negotiate issues with
the other party or
lawyer as well as advise
the client when needed.
Rule 11
of the Colorado Rules of
Civil Procedure states
that:
An attorney may
undertake to provide
limited legal
representation to a pro
se (unrepresented) party
involved in a court
proceeding. Pleadings or
papers filed by the pro
se party that were
prepared with the
drafting assistance of
the attorney shall
include the attorney's
name, address, telephone
and registration number.
The
retainer for limited or
unbundled legal
representation is
usually smaller than the
retainer for
conventional
representation as the
attorney does not go to
Court and therefore is
not serving at the
discretion of the Court
but at the discretion of
the client. This can
work well for simple
cases or for cases where
the client is capable of
representing him or
herself but needs some
legal guidance. The
client may only need an
hour or two of legal
service and sometimes
much more.
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