Do you have questions about what is covered and billable under the Family Standard Contract where property division may be marked as a secondary or not covered legal issue? Please read the following information to clarify.
Your contract identifies the primary legal issues for which the contract was issued (under “Legal Issues”). The services you provide to your client should focus on the primary issues. If after addressing the primary legal issues you have hours remaining on the contract, you may address your client’s secondary legal issues (such as property division).
Despite this, at any time, you may take steps to assist your client with their secondary legal issues when necessary to preserve the client’s interests (for example: preparing a response when the opposing party has filed a Notice of Family Claim that includes property division or seeking urgent orders for exclusive possession of the family home or to preserve family property).
Please be reminded that, when appropriate, you may submit an authorization request via the Lawyer Portal for conversion to private retainer.
If you have questions about what is covered in your contract, reach out to the legal aid office nearest you. If you have billing questions, contact Lawyer Support.
