SCREENING

The first step in working with our office is applying for services, so that we can complete an internal screening. Assuming that you clear our screening, we’ll then reach out to schedule a consultation.

CONSULTATION

In the consultation, we'll go over your case, discuss your concerns and goals, advise you as to the process and potential obstacles and outcomes, and answer any questions that you may have. Sometimes, folks get all they need in a consultation, and that’s the extent of our work together. Other times, folks want or need more support, so we also discuss those options, which are also explained generally below.

Our consultations last up to one hour and cost $100. We are a fully remote office, so we conduct all consultations via video.

WORKING TOGETHER

If, after our consultation, you decide you’d like continued assistance, and we are able to offer it, we have a few different options:

FULL REPRESENTATION

Full representation is the traditional attorney-client relationship, where we handle every aspect of the case, including but not limited to:

  • advice and counsel;

  • preparing all written materials (petitions, motions, replies, etc);

  • communicating with the other party / attorney and the court on your behalf; and

  • representing you at all hearings and appearances*.

*As a nonprofit with a focus on imminent safety issues, we no longer take cases to trial. The vast majority of family law cases (even ones dealing with the complex issues that we handle) settle without the need for trial. However if yours is one of the ~ 10% of family law cases that does not settle, we will refer you to a trial attorney after mediation, and assist with the transition however we can.

LIMITED REPRESENTATION

Limited representation is where we are handling every aspect of one part of your case. Some examples of limited representation are: 

  • representation at a hearing (i.e. adequate cause, temporary orders, or contempt):

    • advice and counsel as to the topic of the hearing;

    • preparing all written materials (petitions, motions, responses, replies, proposed orders etc) necessary for the hearing;

    • communicating with the other party / attorney and the court on your behalf as to the topic of the hearing; and

    • representing you at the hearing.

  • representation at mediation or a settlement conference:

    • advice and counsel as to a settlement;

    • preparing all written materials (mediation letters, proposed orders, etc) necessary for mediation or settlement conference;

    • communicating with the other party / attorney and the mediator / settlement master;

    • representing you at the mediation / settlement conference; and

    • drafting, reviewing, and presenting final orders.

Once the subject of our representation is complete, our work together is complete. However, often times, folks will hire us for limited representation, and then decide they’d like representation with something else (i.e. mediation) or that they’d like more support, in the form of pro se assistance, discussed below. We are happy to adjust as needed to best meet your needs.

PRO SE ASSISTANCE

Pro se assistance is where you are representing yourself, and we are assisting you with a specific task or tasks.

Often times folks that we work with want and need help from an attorney, but are willing and able to handle many aspects of their case largely on their own – with some support. Receiving pro se assistance from an attorney allows you to get legal advice and expertise where you most need it, without incurring the high costs often associated with traditional full representation. We aim to be as flexible as possible with how we provide pro se assistance, but some examples are:

  • general / ongoing advice and counsel as your case progresses;

  • reviewing and offering advice on your drafts of court documents (petitions, motions, declarations, responses, replies, and proposed orders);

  • reviewing and offering advice on settlement offers;

  • preparing you to represent yourself at a hearing; and

  • preparing you to represent yourself at trial.