Although I have previously blogged on the positive aspects of the Limited Assistance Representation (“LAR”) program available to litigants in the Probate and Family Court, I felt it necessary to make the point again. With LAR, an attorney jumps into a case for a specific purpose and then withdraws, and the client pays only for that specific event.
Of course the best course of action is to have legal representation from beginning to end, but LAR recognizes this is not always practical. In these hard economic times, people should not be discouraged by the prospect of paying costly fees. For those who cannot afford to hire an attorney for an entire case, want an attorney to come in midway through, or need help drafting a memorandum or presenting in court, LAR is the way for you.
Many times I have been in court and heard the judge say to a pro-se litigant (one who represents themselves) “you need to talk to an attorney.” Those people are about to either lose their case or have it dismissed due to lack of process or omission of critical evidence. Through the LAR program, lawyers can help salvage the action and guide the litigant to success. If this sounds familiar, I urge you to contact me to discuss how the LAR program can benefit you.
By: Melissa R. Gillis, Esq.
This sounds good for people who can afford to hire a lawyer at all - what about those who can't? I can't even find legal advice - I am being underpaid in child support (grossly) but my ex threatens to "set his lawyer on me" if I apply to change it - I am afraid to go to court against his lawyer. I only make $400 a week and am single, 2 kids - he pays one quarter of the guideline amount. I have no one to help me at all.
Legal representation is still for the wealthy. The poor - meh! who cares about them?
Posted by: Clare | March 09, 2009 at 10:28 AM