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"I can't afford a lawyer. What do I do?"

Oregon allows lawyers to handle parts  of a case without taking on the whole case. That way, you can do the parts you feel okay handling while the lawyer does the parts you aren't comfortable doing. This will save you money, and quite likely time as well (you will be your only case whereas lawyers have "case loads" for all their clients) This is called "unbundled" or "limited scope" representation.  


You and the limited scope lawyer decide how to divide the work in your case. Examples of how you can divide work includes:

  • by tasks in your case (ex. preparing paperwork, legal research, etc.)
  • by phases of your case (ex. the initial filing phase, discovery (where you are requesting information, etc.)
  • consulting for advice or strategy (such as about how to answer a court paper, prepare for your informal trial, etc.)

At Rogue Family Law, we only offer virtual, unbundled services, and we can help you with various choices so you can make sure your bases are covered. 

You have options if you can't, or don't want to, hire a lawyer
in your Oregon family law case.

It used to be your choice was all or nothing. Either hire a lawyer (paying whatever bills come in) OR go it alone.


Luckily, that's no longer true.  You actually options - we'll cover 4 of them here:


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Option 1 - DIY the "Old" Way

You can use free pre-made, fill-in-the-blank forms created by the Oregon Judicial Department. 


These forms don't cover all cases (such as grandparents who want legal custody of grandchildren they're raising), and don't always give you all your options.  You'll need to figure out which forms to use and understand your options all on your own.


Some forms, requests and clauses that lawyers use (tailored to their clients) aren't available..  

Official and Free to Use

The forms are available from the Court, so you know they're up-to-date. 

Downloadable & Printable

Download, print, and fill them out at home.

Requires Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Software

You must have PDF software (such as Adobe Acrobat) if you want to edit them on your computer.

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Have questions about a word or what to answer? You'll need to find a lawyer.

Option 2 - Hire a Lawyer by the Hour

If you are worried about "figuring it out," or your case doesn't fit in the "boxes" for Option #1, you can hire a lawyer to handle your case for you.  

Here's how it works:

  1. You'll need to pay a deposit (called a "retainer") upfront. Most range from $1,500-$10,000 to get started.
  2. You'll get bills (likely monthly) for the time your lawyer spends on your case, usually including emails, calls, meetings, creating documents and going to court
  3. The amounts will vary. Often lawyers won't predict the amounts because they don't know how much time they'll spend on your case.  

You'll still have to work with your lawyer to answer questions, get documents for them, etc. but they will do (and bill) for the rest.

You won't know how much it'll cost until after the work is done. 

 "Legal Aid" is an option if your income is below their limits and your case meets their restrictions.


If  your spouse/co-parent/partner got accepted first, Legal Aid can't help you because that's a "conflict of interest." 

Option 3 - "Flat Fee" Agreements

Some lawyers offer "flat fee packages," especially if you and your family member agree on all terms. Others may offer  "alternative fee arrangements" ("AFA"'s) that you can negotiate at the start of your case. 


AFA's help you better predict charges up front but are still uncommon in family law cases in Oregon.  

Quick Resolution

Because everything is agreed upon, you can get divorced quickly with this option.

More Affordable Option

You can budget for your case knowing that you won't get surprise fees.

Requires Agreement & Cooperation

This option usually requires that all the issues are resolved.

Isn't Flexible to Changes

If something derails your case, you'll end up paying more to resolve the issue.

Option 4 - Limited Scope

Oregon allows lawyers to provide "limited scope" or "unbundled" representation.  Here's how it works:

  1. You keep control and responsibility for everything in your case except what you and the lawyer spell out the lawyer will do.
  2. The lawyer does the agreed tasks, phases or whatever other way you agree to describe their work.
  3. You pay only for the agreed tasks or "limited scope" of work the lawyer does.

You only spend money on the parts of your case you need the lawyer to do and you do the rest (such as creating documents, filing documents at court, communications, etc.).  Your legal bills are limited by the time saved when you handle the work. You don't have to choose between all or nothing.  

Helps Limit Costs

You can budget for your case knowing that you won't get surprise fees.

Pay As You Go

Pay for the help you need when you need it - rather than paying thousands up-front.

Keeps You in Control of Your Case

You get full visibility and control of what's going on in your case.

Flexible to Changes

You can move from DIY to limited scope whenever it makes sense, leaving all options on the table.

How Rogue Family Law Unbundles Family Law
to Give You More Options

We've set up a way to give you more certainty and flexibility by creating separate, pre-paid services and tools which you pick and choose as you go. 

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Help

Gives you:

  •  information through on-line educational courses ("On-demand Workshops") covering procedures, laws, choices and steps you need to know for your case.  Watch them when it's convenient for you and avoid paying hourly rates to have a lawyer explain it individually.

  • tools to create your court papers using our self-help tool ( "Document Portal"). After you buy the package ("Workflow"), you have access to the portal where you'll answer a series of questions that will customize and create your court documents. You'll also get our course portal included free.

    During your interview you'll be given information and choices about what you want to ask the court to do and the Workflows does the rest, including, adding or omitting questions, sections and documents  based on what you tell us. You will get your customized documents in the Portal AND by email.

A Little Help

You can add the following to what's in DIY Help, including:

  • Consulting sessions with a lawyer when and for how long you need. Sessions are prepaid for 15, 30, 45, or 60-minute sessions

  • Taking a Legal Orientation, so you're empowered by clear information about your rights and responsibilities in Oregon. You'll feel clear about the phases of your case and how to break them down into a manageable plan you can start right away.  

    You can take a Guided, One-on-one Legal Orientation with a Rogue Family Law attorney to ask questions and get advice. Either way, you'll be knowledgable, focused, and more confident to tackle what's ahead. 

A Lot of Help

If you want a structured program that guides you through your case, choose our Case Management Coaching Program to get: 

  • An assessment by a Rogue Family Law Lawyer working with you to create a plan for your case
  • Access to the courses and workflows assigned to you as you go through your case when you are ready for the next step.
  • Ongoing consulting sessions 1-2 times a month (depending on the plan you choose) to help you progress by answering  your questions, advising you as events unfold (including strategy) and helping you get ready to go to court or meetings (including strategy and helping your rehearse). 
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Frequently Asked Questions about  
Rogue Family Law's Unbundled Services

We get it: navigating  Family Law and Court is overwhelming, and the decision you make today will affect the future of your family, your finances and your life. 


To help you decide if Rogue Family Law is for you, we've compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and created videos explaining our products and services on our shop page.


When you're ready, feel free to click here to apply and begin the process today.

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What are the benefits of Unbundled Services with Rogue Family Law?

Unbundled services at Rogue Family Law allow you to pick and choose what, when and how much help you need. Our prices are clear and upfront so you can set and stay within your budget.  

Our Document Portal is a question and answer tool that lets you provide the facts and lays out your legal choices to create your custom documents. The built-in instructions and tips guide you along the way while the complimentary course gives you filing instructions, how-to videos and bonus downloads to help you get started right. 

Our courses give you the same information that we used to charge $300 an hour to deliver to individual client but  at a portion of that cost.  The online courses with pre-recorded videos let you get help from the comfort of your home on your schedule.

The consulting sessions give you access to targeted one-on-one help without paying a large retainer  or effectively writing a blank check by signing a contract to pay whatever monthly bill you get.  

The Case Management Coaching Program gives you structured guidance to get through your case with ongoing support.  It gives you access to all of our services and products at a set monthly fee you can cancel at any time.

What would make me a bad fit for Rogue Family Law's unbundled services?

  • If you do not have access to a computer or a safe place to work, Rogue Family Law won't work for you.
  • If you need to meet in person, working with us through zoom could frustrate you. 
  • If you prefer to have someone handle court, deadlines, and communication with your spouse, partner or coparent, our services won't be for you.
  • If you don't enjoy learning and are stressed out by speaking for yourself, self-representation in general and Rogue Family Law specifically won't be your best option.

Of course, this assumes you have the resources to pay a lawyer, in which case, retaining a traditional lawyer would be a better fit for you.

What would be the reason to choose traditional/full representation?

  • If your case involves violence, substance abuse or high-conflict, you may want a buffer between you and your spouse/co-parent/partner
  • If your spouse, partner or co-parent has a lawyer, you are not on a level playing field if you represent yourself. 
  • If your case is financially or legally complicated,  it would be better to have a professional handle it for you.  
  • If you struggle to manage deadlines or don't have time to do the work yourself, traditional representation is better for you.

Of course, this assumes you have the resources to pay a lawyer, in which case, retaining a traditional lawyer would be a better fit for you.

What if I want some extra legal advice or help with my case?

Rogue Family Law was set up to give you flexibility in how you get legal help. You can add on other products to whatever service or product you get first. Examples include:

  • a guided Legal Orientation to cover all the basics
  • a single targeted consulting session
  • ongoing legal advice and guidance in our Case Management Coaching Program 

Just fill out an application so we can avoid any conflicts of interest or ensure we can help you and our reply email will give you instructions on how to move forward.

How do I know what documents I need?

The Document Portal breaks down the process into document sets for specific case steps called "Workflows."  


By breaking down the documents into the unique step, you don't get a large packet of possible documents for your entire case that can be confusing. 


The Workflows are described in the shop section of the Rogue Family Law website including what that workflow is meant to do in your case. These pages also have short videos describing the purpose of and documents within the workflow.   


Finally, on the first page of each workflow interview, you will get a description of the documents in the workflow and what you need to do with them.


Still have questions? Email support@roguefamilylaw.com

How will I know what to do with the documents I create?

Instructions for each document are listed right in your Workflow interview. There is also an included course with your Workflow to explain what you do with court documents and how to it.  The course has videos to walk you through the filing of documents including how to set up an account to file on line and avoid long lines at the court house. 

How fast will I get my documents?

You will get your documents in a new tab on your computer as soon as you finish your interview.  You will also get your documents emailed to you in your choice of format: PDF, Microsoft Word or both within moment of finishing your interview.

How soon can I start my course?

On-demand courses (such as the On-Deman Legal Orientation and On-Demand Workshops) are available in your Rogue Family Law within minutes of your purchase. Guided courses are scheduled, usually within 2 weeks of your purchase.

What if I have technical problems with my course or workflow?

If you have technical problems, email us at support@roguefamilylaw.com. Please allow 1-2 business days for our response (but know we try to get back to you the same day if at all possible).

How will my documents be delivered to me?

You will get your documents in a new tab on your computer as soon as you finish your interview.  You will also get your documents emailed to you in your choice of format: PDF, Microsoft Word or both within moment of finishing your interview.

What's wrong with the documents from the Court?

Nothing is "wrong" with the free court documents.  They are a good option.  


However, we designed the Rogue Family Law Document Portal to be a great option, powered by years of experience and new technology that does a lot of the work for you.  


Specifically, the Document Portal:

  • stores your answers in one place so you can use your answers in later documents . You don't have to start over each time you start a new step.  Your earlier answers will automatically be inserted into you new documents
  • gives you more flexibility to edit your documents by giving you a MS Word document AND allows you to update your earlier answers at the end of your interview in case things have changed
  • gives you questions in a guided (instructions included) interactive “interview” that uses your answers to ask follow up questions or eliminates questions that don't apply to you
  • takes away the guesswork by giving you only the documents that apply to your case for  your present step
  • gives you a summary of all your answers to check your work before you finish - no more  scrolling page-by-page through your interview to find earlier answers.  It's also  handy to print out your summary sheet of your key facts to use at  mediation or in court
  • lets you make requests not offered on the approved state forms
  • groups your questions on top pages to make navigation easier and faster

Your workflow interview has instructions and explanations. The online Document Portal course included in your purchase gives you more information about the process, has videos to walk you through creating and using an electronic filing account and includes some bonus downloads to help you go further in your case.

What if I can't finish my Workflow or Course in one sitting?

That's no problem. You can save your interview to pick up where you left off when you have more time - your work is saved.


Our courses are "on demand" so you can jump in and out as your schedule allows.

If you're a respected family law attorney, why are you offering this service when you could earn more with traditional representation?

Like a lot of people, my daily routine stopped in March, 2020, giving me time to think (literally) about how I was working with families.

I realized I didn’t want to be part of the traditional process that caused families-- already hurting over break-ups and in conflict -more pain. I wanted to work in a way that avoided: 

  • uncertain and often overwhelming legal costs 
  • long delays because of court backlogs and law office case loads
  • higher conflict for years to come from fighting to “win” trials 

So I created Rogue Family Law to:  

  • work with you not for you
  • give you information and affordable legal advice to make your own smart choices
  • find legal solutions to problems rather than focusing on legal problems to try cases
  • help you resolve differences sooner to lower your family’s conflict so you can adjust and move forward

Can I move to a different level once I get started with Rogue Family Law for example from DIY to a lot of help?

Yes.  After we get your application and verify whether we have any conflicts or other issues that would make us a bad fit for you, you will get an email with instructions on how to upgrade your products or services.

Can I hire a lawyer after I get started if I change my mind after I've filed papers with the court?

Yes.  It's pretty common for people to start a case on their own and later bring in a lawyer or even change lawyers.


We hope you get what you need from Rogue Family Law but if you fall into one of the situations described in the first two FAQ's, you can seek a traditional lawyer to handle your case for you.  


A word of caution: don't let it go too long if you think you want to make that choice. There is a shortage of lawyers in some counties so it may take some time to find a lawyer that's right for you.


Also, many lawyers don't want to take a case right before trial in case the judge won't postpone it to give them time to get up to speed and properly prepare.

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The Clock is Ticking!

Don't wait until it's too late to take your next step; click below to start your process today with Rogue Family Law.

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