Family Law, Technology

A Lawyer To The Stars Brings Divorce Down To Earth With A Legal Tech Startup

For clients who can’t afford or don’t need comprehensive representation, technology offers access to a range of options that continue to evolve.

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For most ordinary folks, the prospect of hiring a lawyer who represents Hollywood A-listers in divorce proceedings is as much of a fantasy as a Hollywood’s movie version of real life. But with a little bit of techno-charged pixie dust, the dream of high-powered representation for run-of-the-mill divorce cases is now a reality.

Last week, Los Angeles attorney Laura Wasser — whose clients have included Angelina Jolie, Ryan Reynolds, Heidi Klum, Ashton Kutcher, Christina Aguilera, and other celebrities — launched It’s Over Easy, an assisted-DIY divorce site with three levels of service, ranging from a $750 package that will complete forms based on a user’s responses to questions to a $2,500 plan (plus processing and filing fees) that will file divorce papers for both parties and includes a 90-minute phone consult and email support from a “family law consultant.” In addition, all users have access to videos by Ms. Wasser herself offering explanations of various legal concepts involved in the separation process, along with practical tips on how to manage insurance and co-parenting obligations. For now, the site is only available to couples divorcing in California and New York County — though the site has placeholders for other states, which suggests that a national roll-out may be coming down the line.

So do It’s Over Easy users really receive representation by Ms. Wasser herself? Not really. In fact, the site’s Terms of Service specify that it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice — though if that’s the case, I’m not sure what the purpose the phone consultations serve. In fact, it appears that most of the service offered is provided by “family law experts” which is apparently a PC code for the “N” word (i.e., non-lawyer ). (As an aside, it’s rather ironic that under existing ethics rules, non-lawyers can call themselves “experts” while Ms. Wasser herself can’t.)  The site also doesn’t offer refunds, so if you’ve signed up for a $2,500 divorce, only to reconcile a few days later, you won’t see that money again. By contrast, there’s really no such thing as a non-refundable fee for lawyers, except in very limited circumstances.

Leaving these issues aside, It’s Over Easy comes across as a legitimate and helpful site for its target clients. The site is well-designed and informative and it offers a service that’s shockingly difficult to find — i.e., a relatively straightforward, cost-effective way for couples with a relatively amicable divorce to get the job done at a reasonable cost.  Moreover, Ms. Wasser seems like the real deal — she’s not only an accomplished family law practitioner, but according to her bio, she has also been involved with pro bono initiatives in family law for much of her career.

Which raises the question: can lawyers compete with a brand name like Laura Wasser?  That depends.  It’s Over Easy doesn’t purport to address the needs of complex or acrimonious divorces, which means that a market still remains for lawyers who can capably handle bespoke divorce cases. Moreover, It’s Over Easy also leaves the market open for innovative lawyers  like Erin Levine of Hello Divorce, a site that offers some the same services (comparably priced) as It’s Over Easy with one key distinction: clients have numerous opportunities to work directly with lawyers — and there’s no “we are not a law firm” disclaimer. In other words, lawyers can indeed compete with non-lawyer sites by being lawyers.

At the end of the day, however, it’s not about lawyers, but consumers — and they are undoubtedly the big winners in the increasingly competitive family law space.  To be sure, some clients will always want or need standard representation, while others may not be able to afford anything else than free legal aid.  But for the vast number of clients in the middle who can’t afford or don’t need comprehensive representation, technology offers access to a range of options that continue to evolve.  Even representation, albeit by proxy, by a lawyer to the stars.

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Carolyn ElefantCarolyn Elefant has been blogging about solo and small firm practice at MyShingle.comsince 2002 and operated her firm, the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant PLLC, even longer than that. She’s also authored a bunch of books on topics like starting a law practice, social media, and 21st century lawyer representation agreements (affiliate links). If you’re really that interested in learning more about Carolyn, just Google her. The Internet never lies, right? You can contact Carolyn by email at [email protected]or follow her on Twitter at @carolynelefant.

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