Think of unbundled legal services like shopping at a grocery store versus ordering a pre-made meal kit. Instead of paying thousands upfront for a lawyer to handle your entire case from start to finish, you can hire an attorney for specific tasks (drafting documents, reviewing paperwork, or coaching you through a hearing) while handling other parts yourself.

This approach, also called limited scope representation, is transforming how middle-class Americans access legal help. Often, unbundled services are seen as a way to help clients who would not otherwise seek legal help and would represent themselves in a matter. You’re not stuck choosing between going completely solo or paying for full representation that might cost $15,000 or more.

How Unbundled Services Actually Work

Unbundled attorneys are more likely to offer flat fee pricing to complete tasks, as opposed to the more common practice of hourly billing by full-service attorneys. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Document Preparation: An attorney drafts your divorce papers, custody agreements, or settlement proposals for a flat fee of $500 to $2,000, depending on complexity. You file them yourself and handle court appearances.

Legal Coaching: Before your custody hearing, you meet with a lawyer for 2-3 hours at $200-400 per hour to practice your presentation, understand court procedures, and prepare your evidence.

Review Services: You draft your own settlement agreement using online resources, then pay an attorney $300-800 to review it for legal pitfalls before you sign.

Strategic Consultation: When your ex-spouse’s lawyer sends a threatening letter, you spend one hour with an attorney for $250-500 to understand your options and plan your response.

The Real-World Savings Add Up

Hourly Rates: Many attorneys charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $200 to $1,000 per hour. Full divorce representation typically costs $7,000 to $15,000 per spouse. With unbundled services, you might spend:

• $1,500 for document drafting and one court appearance
• $800 for legal coaching before mediation
• $500 for reviewing a settlement agreement
• Total: $2,800 versus $10,000+ for full representation

Warning: Be wary of attorneys who promise extremely low flat fees without clearly defining what’s included. Some will quote $500 for “divorce papers” but exclude crucial documents like parenting plans or financial disclosures that cost extra.

What You Can Handle vs. What You Shouldn’t

You can hire the lawyer to represent you on certain issues in your case (like child support or custody) while you do the rest yourself.

Good Fit Situations:

• Uncontested divorces where you agree on major issues
• Simple name changes or custody modifications
• Reviewing contracts before signing
• One-time legal consultations for business matters
• Document preparation for straightforward cases

Proceed with Caution:

• Domestic violence situations may require full representation because it requires immediate attention, and the victim may be unable to safely represent themselves.
• Complex business litigation with multiple parties
• Cases involving significant assets or debts
• Criminal charges beyond minor traffic violations

Finding the Right Unbundled Attorney

Not every lawyer offers unbundled services, and experience matters enormously. Look for attorneys who:

1. Advertise limited scope services specifically (many still prefer traditional full-representation models)
2. Provide written agreements detailing exactly what they will and won’t do
3. Have experience in your specific legal area (family law, business contracts, estate planning)
4. Offer transparent pricing upfront, not estimates that balloon later

Civil Justice, Inc. operates an attorney referral service that can refer you to an attorney who offers limited scope representation in areas such as family law and consumer law. You can search their network of attorneys by practice area and location. Many state bar associations maintain similar referral services, or check The Maryland People’s Law Library for detailed guidance on limited scope arrangements.

Red Flag Alert: Avoid lawyers who pressure you to upgrade to full representation during your initial consultation or who seem unfamiliar with limited scope arrangements.

Making Unbundled Services Work for You

Success with unbundled services requires honest self-assessment. You are ultimately responsible for what happens with your case. This is why you must be sure to tell the lawyer all important information about your case, and think carefully about what you can do by yourself.

Before signing any limited scope agreement:

• Discuss your entire case thoroughly with the attorney, even parts they won’t handle
• Get clear timelines for when services will be completed
• Understand communication limits (many unbundled attorneys don’t provide ongoing phone support)
• Plan for contingencies (what happens if complications arise in the parts you’re handling?)

The beauty of unbundled services lies in their flexibility. You can start with document review, then add coaching sessions if needed, or hire the same attorney for full representation later if your case becomes more complex.

For many middle-class families, unbundled legal services bridge the gap between unaffordable full representation and the risks of going completely alone. You get professional legal expertise where you need it most, while keeping costs manageable and maintaining control over your case.