| There is a new concept in the legal industry | | | | unbundled services. |
| called unbundled services. It is largely | | | | |
| unknown by lawyers. But it has appeared in | | | | The most promising application is for family |
| the attorney-ethical rules of many states. | | | | law services such as divorce, child custody, |
| Most consumers have never heard of it. Most | | | | support, and property distribution. The |
| lawyers still have no idea of what it means. | | | | reason: more people attempt to handle their |
| But the influence of this concept may change | | | | own family law cases than any other area of |
| the future of legal services. | | | | law. And the courts are increasing |
| | | | frustrated and bogged down with |
| To understand the concept of unbundled | | | | self-represented divorce parties. The need |
| services, one must have an understanding of | | | | for flexibility and creativity in legal |
| the traditional ways attorneys handle | | | | service is the most evident in family law |
| representation. For most of history an | | | | cases. |
| attorney began representation at the | | | | |
| beginning of a case. Representation didn't | | | | Unfortunately, attorneys have been slow to |
| end until the end of the case. People | | | | offer unbundled services. They are either |
| needing legal services had two choices: | | | | not aware of this new trend or have declined |
| either pay an attorney a fee for the entire | | | | to change their service offerings. The |
| case, or go it alone. There was no | | | | result: over three quarters of family law |
| in-between. It was almost unthinkable for an | | | | cases involve people that have not hired an |
| attorney to provide help filling out one form | | | | attorney. There are strong advantages for |
| or attending one hearing. It was all or | | | | attorneys that offer unbundled services: a |
| nothing. There was nothing wrong with this | | | | larger potential customer base, less |
| system for those with the substantial assets | | | | collection problems, and the satisfaction of |
| needed to pay an attorney. But people that | | | | helping lower income clients. |
| did not have much money were out of luck. | | | | |
| | | | If you cannot afford an attorney, consider |
| Many local state bar associations recognized | | | | searching for an attorney that will offer |
| this problem. The issue was recently studied | | | | different services on an "a la cart" basis. |
| by the American Bar Association. A new | | | | This can include preparing the initial |
| concept was borne out of these studies - | | | | divorce documents, attending one hearing, or |
| unbundled services. The basic premise was | | | | participating in mediation. Do it |
| that some legal advice was better than no | | | | yourselfers can also enlist the help of an |
| legal advice. Unbundled services recognized | | | | attorney to prep for their final hearing. |
| the reality of many consumers - that attorney | | | | The era of unbundled services has arrived and |
| fees exceeded the financial capability of | | | | will ultimately empower the consumer and |
| many. Unbundled services solved this | | | | increase access to the court system. |
| problem. This concept makes it acceptable | | | | |
| for an attorney to represent a client for one | | | | Divorce Attorney Howard Iken has a rapidly |
| small part of their case - without violating | | | | growing divorce practice in the Tampa Bay |
| ethical rules. Many states have started to | | | | area of Florida. He can be reached at |
| adopt rules recognizing the existence of | | | | 1-888-469-3486. |