FAQ

Limited Assistance Representation (LAR)

  • Typically, lawyers represent clients for a whole case. However, there is a way to get legal help just for part of a case. This is called “Limited Assistance Representation” or “LAR.” With LAR, you and a lawyer agree what parts of a case you will handle and what parts the lawyer will handle. In other words, you limit what the lawyer does. That’s why it is called “Limited Assistance Representation.”

    You can use LAR for any part of a case, including helping you with legal documents, arguing for you in a court event, or negotiating a settlement.

    LAR can save you money in legal fees. 

  • No. The attorney must be certified with the court to offer LAR services.

  • Yes. Limited Assistance Representation or LAR is one way to get legal help for part of your case.

  • Certified LAR lawyers may:

    • Advise you if LAR is right for you.

    • Explain what parts of the case you may be able to do by yourself and which parts would be better for a lawyer to handle.

    • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case and figure out the steps you should take. 

    • Review legal documents, explain them to you and advise you how to respond.

    • Coach you on how to represent yourself in court.

    • Represent you at a negotiation, mediation, hearing or trial.

    • Help you put evidence together.

    • Do legal research and explain it to you.

    • Prepare court documents for you to file yourself — for example, complaints, answers, discovery and motions. This is sometimes called ghostwriting.

  • You can use LAR at any stage of your case. For example, you can use LAR to help you file a case in court, or you can use LAR with any parts of a case that is already filed in court.

  • You and the lawyer must agree to what specific part or parts of the case the lawyer will do. Then the lawyer puts your agreement into writing. The lawyer must review the agreement with you to make sure you understand it. You both sign the agreement. Make sure you get a copy of the agreement. 

    Before you sign the agreement, make sure you and the lawyer are clear about how to move forward, and who will be doing what. For example, ask the lawyer:

    • What should you do, and what should your lawyer do?

    • What is the lawyer’s fee?

    • If the lawyer is going to charge fees, what is the best way to save money? 

    • Which court proceedings, if any, will the lawyer go to with you? 

    • Who will negotiate with the other side to try to settle out of court?

    • Who will draft documents for the court?

  • Yes. Legal fees still apply to LAR cases. However, by limiting the use of an attorney, you may be able to save on legal fees in your overall case.