Learn More About Lisa Zonder
We’ve all heard or experienced the traumatic tales experienced by parents, friends, or colleagues going through a Family Court divorce. The court system is overburdened and fiscally impacted due to staff layoffs, court closures, and insufficient time to hear all the important information on the witness stand. Recent accounts are that 40% or more of a family court judge’s caseload involves domestic violence matters.
In addition, litigation through the court is often very expensive. For many couples, a mediated divorce can reduce costs, save time, and decrease the emotional impact when compared to litigation.
If needed, Lisa Zonder often collaborates with allied professionals such as financial experts, divorce coaches, and other professionals to gain a 360-degree view of your case and settlement options. Utilizing an enhanced team approach in divorce mediation is especially important for high-net-worth clients or those with complex custody or financial issues. For some, this is unnecessary.
For clients who are already participating in a divorce mediation process, they may wish to have their own legal consultant to support their mediation. Limited scope divorce may be most easily explained by what it is not. The most common structure for working with an attorney in a divorce is to have that attorney be your “attorney of record.”
When an attorney is your attorney of record, he or she will place their name on all legal filings made with the court. They will handle negotiations and other discussions with your spouse’s lawyer (or the spouse directly, although you can always negotiate and discuss the divorce directly with your spouse, no matter the structure), and they will be required to appear on your behalf in any court proceedings, among other things.
Needless to say, these court appearances and interactions with opposing counsel can result in more attorney’s fees than you were hoping to pay. Also, when your spouse receives legal documents with the name of an attorney on them, that spouse may feel like it’s necessary to get his or her own attorney as well.
What Is a Limited Scope Consulting Attorney?
A limited scope consulting attorney does not serve as your “attorney of record.” Instead, you as the client will define the scope of exactly what you want your attorney to do and there is more of a division of responsibilities between the attorney and client. Think of a ghostwriter who can draft legal paperwork or prepare you for court hearings.
For example, you may only want your limited scope attorney to provide you with legal advice on your options and what outcomes you should be seeking (and how to obtain them) while you handle everything else. Your attorney’s name might not show up on any paperwork, and your spouse may not even need to know you are working with an attorney.
This can save money and stress, while still allowing you to obtain just the right amount of legal guidance and support you need to resolve your divorce or other family law proceeding.
Certified Family Law Specialist, Certified by State Bar of CA, Board of Legal Spec. and ICF ACC Coach
