LIMITED SCOPE RETAINER AGREEMENT

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”, a contract for employment of legal counsel, is between Sarah Gravelines (“the Lawyer”) and the individual accepting this Agreement online ("the Client.")

This is a limited scope retainer for document preparation only, as described below.

By signing this Agreement, the Client employs the Lawyer to provide certain legal services.

Representation and Duties of the Lawyer.  The Lawyer is being retained solely to prepare a Separation Agreement based on the information and instructions provided by the Client. The Lawyer does not determine or recommend settlement terms and relies entirely on the Client’s representations regarding the agreed terms.

The Lawyer will provide the following services (the “Covered Services”):

1. Preparing a written Separation Agreement, which may include some or all of the following issues, as applicable:

a.       Parenting arrangements and parenting plan;

b.      Child support;

c.       Spousal support;

d.      Division of family property;

e.       Terms relating to real property (including the former family home), for inclusion in the Separation Agreement only;

f.        Pensions and retirement assets;

g.      Division of debts;

h.      Tax-related provisions (where applicable);

i.        Standard releases and related contractual provisions;

j.        Written step-by-step instructions regarding execution and independent legal advice.

2. Communicating with the Client by email, telephone, or virtual meeting to obtain the information necessary to prepare the Separation Agreement.

3. Delivering the drafted Separation Agreement to the Client by email in PDF and Word formats (unless otherwise agreed).

Services Not Included (Not Covered By This Agreement)

This retainer is limited to drafting the Separation Agreement based on the Client’s instructions. The following services are not included unless separately agreed to in writing:

a.       Negotiating the terms of the Separation Agreement with the other party or their lawyer;

b.      Communicating with the other party on the Client’s behalf;

c.       Providing independent legal advice to the other party;

d.      Acting as mediator between the parties;

e.       Filing the Separation Agreement with any court;

f.        Legal services relating to the transfer, refinancing, sale, or registration of any real property, including preparing or registering transfer documents, dealing with land titles matters, mortgages, discharges, or adjustments.

g.      Enforcing the Separation Agreement;

h.      Providing ongoing advice after delivery of the Separation Agreement.

i.        Executing or witnessing documents unless expressly agreed.

j.        Implementing or completing the terms of the Separation Agreement, including transfers of property, pension division, refinancing, or any administrative steps required to carry out the Agreement.

Duties Of The Client

The Client agrees that they will provide the necessary accurate information requested by the Lawyer.  The Client agrees that there may be circumstances where the Lawyer requests the provision of certain documents including, but not limited to, a marriage certificate, statements substantiating any of the parties’ assets or debts, copies of any income tax statements or pay statements.  The Client agrees that any delay in providing any required documents may delay the Lawyer in finalizing any matter.

The Client acknowledges that the Lawyer relies entirely on the information provided by the Client and does not independently verify income, assets, debts or parenting arrangements.

The Client acknowledges that the Lawyer is relying on the Client’s information, and errors or omissions may affect the documents.

Where there are children of the marriage, the Client agrees that they are solely responsible for ensuring that all information provided regarding parenting arrangements, child support, and income is complete, accurate, and current.

The Client acknowledges that the Lawyer is relying entirely on the Client’s information and is not independently verifying income, parenting arrangements, or compliance with the Child Support Guidelines.

The Client agrees to provide a credit card number which shall be stored securely within the LawPay Credit Card Vault.

In consideration of the Covered Services to be furnished by the Lawyer, Client shall pay the Lawyer pursuant to the following fee arrangements:  

Fees. 

In consideration of the Covered Services to be furnished by the Lawyer, Client shall pay the Lawyer fees in the sum of $1,500.00 plus applicable taxes.

In the event the Client requests that the Lawyer witness or notarize any documents, an in-person signing appointment may be scheduled for a fee of $95.00 plus taxes for a period of up to 20 minutes.

In the event the Lawyer and Client agree that the Lawyer will provide additional legal services, including consultation, advice or coaching, additional fees may be incurred at an hourly rate of $300.00 plus applicable taxes.  Any additional services must be agreed to in writing and may require a retainer or additional payment. 

Upon delivery of the Separation Agreement, or provision of any other agreed upon legal services, the Client authorizes the Lawyer to charge the Client’s credit card stored in the LawPay Credit Card Vault for fees and applicable taxes when due, and the Lawyer will provide a statement of account at the same time.

Termination Of Representation

The Client may terminate the representation at any time. Any such termination does not relieve the Client of the obligation to pay any amounts owed for fees and expenses incurred through the date of termination.

Representation shall be terminated upon the Lawyer delivering the Separation Agreement to the Client, unless otherwise agreed between the Lawyer and Client.  The Separation Agreement will be delivered by email in PDF and Word formats, unless otherwise agreed.

The Lawyer may terminate the representation and cease providing services under this Agreement if:

1.                  The Lawyer discovers any conflict of interest;

2.                  The Client fails to pay immediately when due any amounts required to be paid under this Agreement;

3.                  The Lawyer discovers that the Client has made any misrepresentation in connection with the representation, or the Lawyer discovers any material variance between the facts as related to the Lawyer by the Client and the facts as they actually exist;

4.                  The Client acts in such a manner that, in the discretion of the Lawyer, the Lawyer deems it necessary to terminate the representation;

5.                  The Lawyer and the Client have a disagreement over what legal matters the Lawyer is supposed to be handling for the Client.

Miscellaneous Terms. 

1.                  Each provision of this agreement is severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase or term of this agreement shall not affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase or term of this agreement.

2.                  By signing below, the Client indicates an understanding that the Lawyer has not made an agreement with Client or promises to Client about the outcome or result of Client’s legal matters. Also, Client agrees to notify the Lawyer immediately in writing if Client feels or believes any matter is not receiving proper attention or is otherwise not being properly handled or Client suspects any misunderstanding about what the Lawyer is to do for Client.

3.                  By signing below, Client agrees that this Agreement has been thoroughly reviewed by Client before being signed by Client, or that Client has had ample opportunity to review this Agreement and have it fully explained.

4.                  If Client fails to pay the amounts due to the Lawyer under this Agreement, Client agrees to pay all reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred by the Lawyer in collecting the amounts due.

Communication.  I encourage you to ask any questions you have about my charges or services. I promise to provide prompt, accurate answers. Please inform me of any complaints about any bill immediately after it is sent to you.

By accepting this Agreement, the Client acknowledges that the Lawyer’s role is limited to document preparation and that the Client remains responsible for deciding whether the terms of the Separation Agreement are fair and appropriate.

Please indicate your agreement by submitting the acceptance form below