NOTE: By viewing these questions you are not creating an attorney-client relationship with the law office of M.C. Bruce.
1. What is "Attorney Assisted Divorce?"
Also known as "Limited Representation," attorney assisted divorce is a flat-fee service provided by the Law Office of M.C. Bruce to help people who need to file or respond to a divorce action file and serve the proper papers. You will meet with an attorney, not a paralegal or a secretary, and you and the attorney will prepare the papers together. The attorney will calculate the amount of spousal support and child support. You may also ask questions regarding the divorce action during the preparation of the papers. However, you agree that the attorney will not represent you in court.
2. Is this approved by the State Bar?
Yes. In fact, the State Bar of California encourages attorneys to offer "Limited Representation" services so that legal consumers who might otherwise not be able to afford legal help can file the proper papers in court and successfully conduct a dissolution with a minimum of problems.
3. What's the difference between "attorney assisted" and using a legal document preparation center?
Legal document centers, such as "We the People" can only help you choose the forms to file. They fill the forms out based on what you tell them. They are not allowed to give you legal advice, nor can they calculate support or advise you on the best way to proceed in a divorce. Further, such document centers employ only paralegals and secretaries, not attorneys. And if you find that you need a lawyer after the papers are filed, you will begin from square one with any lawyer you talk to. If you hire M.C. Bruce for an attorney assisted divorce, you will have the benefit of preparing the papers with a lawyer, asking legal questions, finding out the probable support obligations. Also, if you find you need to have a lawyer help you for a single issue, such as a modification of support, M.C. Bruce is available to you on that limited basis for an affordable flat fee.
4. What if my case gets complicated and I need a lawyer to handle the court appearances?
You may hire M.C. Bruce to handle the matter even after paying the flat fee. You can hire M. C. Bruce to represent you in the entire matter--which would be an hourly fee agreement--or you can hire him to represent you for a specific portion of the case, such as a modfication--for which flat fee agreements are available. You are also free to hire another attorney to handle such matters, if you wish. Hiring M.C. Bruce for the preparation of the papers does not obligate you to hire any specific lawyer for further representation.
5. What if corrections need to be made?
If the corrections are your fault, there will be an additional fee, depending on the extent of the problem. If the corrections are the fault of the law office, they will be made free of charge.
6. What if I have more motions to make or respond to? Do I have to hire the attorney to represent me in court to get him to prepare the papers for such motions or responses?
No. If there are further motions, such as modifications or Orders to Show Cause (OSC) that you need to do, you can hire M.C. Bruce to prepare the papers for an additional fee and still represent yourself.
7. After the papers are prepared and filed, can I call M.C. Bruce for advice on how to handle my case?
M.C. Bruce will attempt to give you all the information you need to begin the dissolution at the time the papers are prepared. Further, he will give you an idea of the court procedures in a dissolution. He will also answer one question regarding the dissolution papers after you leave the office, of up to five minutes of telephone time. However, he will not give tactical advice, nor will he give advice on about motions, OSCs or other matters which are not part of the initial paperwork or the normal course of a dissolution. This is outlined in the contract for Limited Representation. Of course, if you wish to hire M.C. Bruce to prepare moving or responding papers, or even to appear for you in court on a limited basis, you may do so.