Limited-Scope Representation Agreement and Terms of Service
(California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2(b))
LIMITED-SCOPE REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT AND TERMS OF SERVICE
(California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2(b))
This Limited-Scope Representation Agreement and Terms of Service (“Agreement”) is a binding legal contract between you (“Client”) and the Law Office of Dan Sweeney (“Attorney”). By scheduling and participating in a session with our office, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
This Agreement governs the limited-scope legal services that Attorney will provide to Client. Attorney is licensed to practice law in the State of California and provides limited-scope family law assistance on a per-session, project-based basis.
1. SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION
a. Limited Scope
Client retains Attorney to provide limited-scope legal services as defined by California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2(b), and California Code of Civil Procedure § 284. Attorney’s representation is strictly limited to the work conducted and delivered by Attorney during Client’s limited-scope session and any related communication between Attorney and Client. Attorney does not undertake general representation of Client’s family law matter and is not responsible for any aspect of Client’s case beyond what is conducted and delivered as stated above. Client will continue to be exclusively responsible for all other aspects of their case, including, but not limited to, interacting with the court and opposing parties, filing and service of documents, and advocating for themselves at hearings and other proceedings.
b. Specific Project
The specific project to be addressed during each session will be identified at the beginning of the appointment. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:
• Preparing and filing a Petition for Dissolution, Legal Separation, or Nullity.
• Preparing and filing a Response to a Petition.
• Completing Preliminary or Final Declarations of Disclosure.
• Preparing a proposed Judgment (Default or Uncontested).
• Preparing and filing a Request for Order (RFO) regarding custody, visitation, support, or other relief.
• Preparing and filing a Responsive Declaration to a Request for Order.
• Preparing Income and Expense Declarations.
• Preparing a Petition to Establish Parentage/Paternity.
• Arranging subpoenas for employment or other records.
• Arranging for service of process or skip trace (location) services.
• Other discrete family law document preparation or advisory tasks.
c. What Is NOT Included
Unless expressly agreed in a separate writing, this engagement does NOT include:
• Court appearances or representation at hearings.
• Ongoing case management or strategy beyond your session.
• Communication or negotiation with opposing parties or their counsel.
• Filing of a Notice of Limited Scope Representation (FL-950) with the court.
• Post-session follow-up work, research, or revisions (these can only be addressed in additional future sessions scheduled by Client).
• Advice or services related to any matter outside the specific project identified during the session.
2. SESSION STRUCTURE AND DELIVERY
a. Scheduling
All sessions are scheduled through Attorney’s online scheduling platform. Sessions are offered during published availability windows.
b. Remote Delivery
All services are provided remotely by video conference. A meeting link will be provided upon scheduling a session. Client is responsible for having a reliable internet connection and a device capable of running Zoom or Microsoft Teams (computer, tablet, or smartphone).
c. Document Delivery
All documents prepared during the session will be delivered during the video conference or by email. Client is responsible for reviewing all documents for accuracy before they are filed with the court.
d. Additional Assistance
Attorney will make all reasonable efforts to complete the identified project within the 90-minute session. If the project cannot be completed within the session, Attorney and Client may mutually agree to additional work at Attorney’s standard hourly rate of $350.00 per hour. Attorney will notify Client before any additional fees are incurred.
3. FEES AND PAYMENT
a. Payment Card on File
Client’s payment card information is securely collected and stored by Attorney’s payment processor at the time of scheduling. No charge is made at the time of scheduling. The session fee is charged at the beginning of the session and is earned by Attorney upon collection.
b. Standard and Reduced Flat Fee
Attorney’s flat-fee rate for a 90-minute session is $300. Attorney’s flat-fee rate for a 30-minute session is $100. Clients who have an active Fee Waiver Order (FW-003) on file in their family law case or who can currently qualify for a fee waiver through sections 5a or 5b of the Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) are eligible for a discount of $50 on a 90-minute session and $25 on a 30-minute session. Attorney reserves the right to condition said discounts on verification.
c. Standard Hourly Rate
Time beyond the scheduled session, if agreed to by both parties, will be billed at $350.00 per hour, prorated in 6-minute (0.1 hour) increments. Attorney will notify Client before any additional fees are incurred.
d. Add-On Services
Filing, e-filing, service of process, and other services may be arranged by Attorney on behalf of Client through a third-party vendor. Any such arrangements shall be agreed to by Attorney and Client in a separate agreement.
e. Payment Method
Client’s payment card information is collected at the time of scheduling through the integrated payment processor offered at Attorney’s scheduling platform. The session fee is charged to the card on file at the beginning of the session. Fees and costs for add-on services and any additional hourly charges will be addressed by separate written agreement.
f. Cancellation Policy
Client may cancel or reschedule a session at any time prior to the start of the session without charge.
4. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Client acknowledges and agrees to the following responsibilities:
• Provide complete and accurate information necessary for the specific project.
• Have all relevant documents and case information available at the beginning of the session (e.g., case number, copies of filed court documents, and relevant financial records).
• Review all documents prepared by Attorney for accuracy before signing or filing.
• File all documents with the court as required by law (unless add-on filing services are selected).
• Serve all documents on the opposing party as required by law (unless service of process services are included).
• Appear at all scheduled court hearings related to documents prepared during the session.
• Inform Attorney of relevant facts or circumstances of the case during the session.
• Be on time for the scheduled video conference session.
5. ATTORNEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Attorney agrees to the following:
• Provide competent legal services within the defined limited scope.
• Exercise professional judgment on behalf of Client within the scope of the specific project.
• Prepare documents that comply with applicable California law, court rules, and local rules.
• Clearly communicate the scope and limitations of each session.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all information disclosed by Client, consistent with Attorney’s ethical obligations.
• Notify Client if, in Attorney’s professional judgment, the project requires services beyond the limited scope of this engagement.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE
All communications between Attorney and Client during the session are protected by the attorney-client privilege and the duty of confidentiality under California Business and Professions Code §6068(e) and California Evidence Code §§950–962. Attorney will not disclose Client’s confidential information without Client’s informed written consent, except as required or permitted by law or the California Rules of Professional Conduct.
7. NO GUARANTEE OF OUTCOME
Client understands that Attorney cannot make any promises or guarantees regarding the outcome of Client’s family law matter. Attorney’s role is to provide competent legal assistance with the specific project identified during the session. The outcome of any family law matter depends on many factors beyond Attorney’s control, including the facts of the case, the actions of the opposing party, and the discretion of the court.
8. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Attorney will conduct a reasonable conflicts check prior to providing services. If a conflict of interest is identified, Attorney will decline to provide services and the card on file will not be charged. Due to the high volume of limited-scope sessions and the nature of family law (which involves two parties), it is possible that Attorney may have previously provided limited-scope assistance to the opposing party in Client’s case. If such a prior engagement is identified, Attorney will decline to provide services to Client and the card on file will not be charged. Attorney will not disclose any information about a prior session with any other party.
9. TERMINATION OF LIMITED-SCOPE REPRESENTATION
a. Automatic Termination
Attorney’s limited-scope representation of Client under this Agreement terminates automatically upon the end of the session.
b. No Ongoing Obligation
Upon termination, Attorney has no further obligation to Client with respect to the matter, except as expressly required by the California Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorney is not obligated to provide post-session follow-up, answer questions after the session, or provide any services beyond the scope of the session.
c. Subsequent Sessions
Client may schedule additional sessions for the same or different projects. Each session constitutes a new, separate limited-scope engagement. The scheduling and participation in multiple sessions will not create an ongoing attorney-client relationship.
10. FILE RETENTION AND DOCUMENTS
Attorney will retain copies of documents prepared during the session in accordance with California Rules of Professional Conduct and applicable record retention requirements. Client is strongly encouraged to save all documents provided during the session. Attorney is not a custodian of Client’s file and Client should maintain their own complete file of all case documents.
11. MALPRACTICE INSURANCE
Attorney maintains professional liability (malpractice) insurance applicable to the services provided under this Agreement. Attorney’s professional liability insurance policy provides coverage of $1,000,000 per claim and $1,000,000 in the aggregate.
12. GENERAL PROVISIONS
a. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
b. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written.
c. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
d. Electronic Acceptance
ACCEPTANCE BY SCHEDULING: By completing the scheduling process through Attorney’s online scheduling platform, Client acknowledges that they have read this Agreement in its entirety, understand its terms, and agree to be bound by its provisions. This electronic acceptance shall have the same force and effect as a manual signature.
13. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
By scheduling an appointment, Client specifically acknowledges and agrees that:
(i) Client has read and understands this Agreement;
(ii) Attorney’s representation is strictly limited to the specific project addressed during the session;
(iii) Attorney does not represent Client for any purpose beyond the limited scope described herein;
(iv) Client is responsible for all aspects of their case not covered by the specific project;
(v) Client is responsible for reviewing documents for accuracy and for filing and serving documents (unless add-on services are purchased);
(vi) No guarantees can be made regarding the outcome of Client’s case;
(vii) Attorney’s representation terminates automatically upon the end of the session, or any subsequent additional assistance separately agreed to in writing;
(viii) Client has been advised of the right to consult with another attorney before agreeing to this limited-scope engagement;
(ix) This Agreement is subject to California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2(b), and all applicable provisions of California law governing limited-scope representation.