JUST WHAT YOU NEED - JUST WHEN YOU NEED IT

Choose from any of these unbundled services

for help with family law:

FAQ’s

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

• Summary Advice & Information - $175 plus HST

• Full consultation flat rate - $500 plus HST (standard) OR $350 plus HST (reduced low income rate)

• All other services are billed based on an hourly rate: $265/hour plus HST (standard) OR $200/hour plus HST (low income)

• I provide a personalized cost estimate before each step

Do you ASK FOR a retainer FEE?

• No, I do not ask for a traditional retainer fee deposit

• Initial consultation fee payments must be delivered prior to our first meeting; they are deposited after

• A small deposit based on the time estimated for the next step may be requested before starting additional work

• Accounts are due & payable immediately upon receipt

DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?

• No, I do not accept credit card payments at this time

• Payment can be made by etransfer or by cheque

When are you available?

• Regular work hours 9:30 - 5:30 pm Mon- Fri

• Otherwise by appointment

DO I NEED A LAWYER?

• You are never required to have a lawyer, but it is always a good idea to get some help from a lawyer

• Lawyers are the only professionals actually authorized to give you legal advice about family law rights and responsibilities

• Lawyers can help you navigate the court or alternative processes so that you can get the best result for you and your family

• Statistics show that people who represent themselves in court are less successful than those with lawyers

• If you are not successful in court you will be required to pay at least some and maybe all of the other side’s legal fees

Why hire a lawyer for LIMITED SCOPE LEGAL SERVICES?

• You are not sure how to get started dealing with your legal issue and don’t want to waste a lot of money figuring it out

• You need and want a lawyer to help you sometimes, but not all the time

• You want to represent yourself and feel overwhelmed or want to confirm that you are on the right track

• You need independent legal advice on a Separation Agreement or a Cohabitation / Marriage Contract

• You have a court case and find the court’s procedural rules confusing

• You don’t want to make a mistake that will waste your time, money or risk your relationship with your children

What ARE LIMITED SCOPE or UNBUNDLED LEGAL SeRVICES, AND HOW are they DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL LEGAL representation?

• In a traditional lawyer-client relationship, the lawyer does EVERYTHING related to the legal case

• A lawyer who provides unbundled or limited scope legal services does only SOME of the work for you, on a task by task basis

• In a limited scope arrangement, you are responsible for everything in your case including the overall management of the case

• A lawyer providing limited scope services can go to court for you but does not go “on the record” in your court case

• If you are working with a lawyer under a limited scope retainer, you must let the court and the other party know the limits of the retainer so everyone is clear on who is responsible for what

DO FAMILY LAWYERS PREPARE WILLS?

• No, most family lawyers do not prepare wills or help resolve inheritance disputes

• Wills and Powers of Attorney are usually prepared by wills and estates lawyers, who have expertise in that area of the law

• I can refer you to a wills and estates lawyer who can help you prepare or update your will

Can we both see the same lawyer?

• No. Lawyers are not allowed to advise both spouses, because clients share confidential information with us and we share confidential advice with you

• I will do a conflict check before I meet with you to make sure I can assist you

• I would be happy to provide your spouse with the names of other lawyers who would be able to give them independent legal advice