Rule 5.425.Limited scope representation; application of rules

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 16. Limited Scope Representation; Attorney's Fees and Costs · Article 1. Limited Scope Representation · Last amended 2018 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.425 governs limited scope representation in family law — the two kinds, how service works while it lasts, and how an attorney gets out when the client will not sign.

Full Text of Rule 5.425

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(a) Definition

“Limited scope representation” is a relationship between an attorney and a person seeking legal services in which they have agreed that the scope of the legal services will be limited to specific tasks that the attorney will perform for the person.

(b) Application

This rule applies to limited scope representation in family law cases. Rules 3.35 through 3.37 apply to limited scope representation in civil cases.

These rules recognize two types of limited scope representation:

(1) Noticed representation This type occurs when an attorney and a party notify the court and other parties of the limited scope representation. The procedures in (d) and (e) apply only to cases involving noticed limited scope representation.

(2) Undisclosed representation In this type of limited scope representation, a party contracts with an attorney to draft or assist in drafting legal documents, but the attorney does not make an appearance in the case. The procedures in (f) apply to undisclosed representation.

(d) Noticed limited scope representation

(1) A party and an attorney must provide the required notice of their agreement for limited scope representation by serving other parties and filing with the court a Notice of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-950).

(2) After the notice in (1) is received and until a Substitution of Attorney—Civil (form MC-050), or a Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-955) with the “Final” box checked, or an order to be relieved as attorney is filed and served:

(A) The attorney must be served only with documents that relate to the issues identified in the Notice of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-950); and

(B) Documents that relate to all other issues outside the scope of the attorney’s representation must be served directly on the party or the attorney representing the party on those issues.

(3) Electronic service of notices and documents described in this rule is permitted if the client previously agreed in writing to accept service of documents electronically from the attorney.

(4) Before being relieved as counsel, the limited scope attorney must file and serve the order after hearing or judgment following the hearing or trial at which he or she provided representation unless:

(A) Otherwise directed by the court; or

(B) The party agreed in the Notice of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-950) that completion of the order after hearing is not within the scope of the attorney’s representation.

(e) Procedures to be relieved as counsel on completion of limited scope

representation if client has not signed a substitution of attorney

An attorney who has completed the tasks specified in the Notice of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-950) may use the following procedures to request that he or she be relieved as attorney if the client has not signed a Substitution of Attorney—Civil (form MC-050):

(1) Notice of completion of limited scope representation The limited scope attorney must serve the client with the following documents:

(A) A Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-955) with the “Proposed” box marked and the deadline for the client to file the objection completed by the attorney;

(B) Information for Client About Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-955-INFO); and

(2) No objection If the client does not file and serve an Objection to Proposed Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-956) within 10 calendar days from the date that the Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-955) was served, the limited scope attorney:

(A) Must serve the client and the other parties or, if represented, their attorneys, with a Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-955) with the “Final” box marked;

(B) Must file the final Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-955) with the court, and attach the proofs of service of both the “Proposed” and “Final” notices of completion;

(C) May not be charged a fee to file the final notice of completion, even if the attorney has not previously made an appearance in the case; and

(D) Is deemed to be relieved as attorney on the date that the final notice of completion is served on the client.

(3) Objection If the client files the Objection to Proposed Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-956) within 10 calendar days from the date that the proposed notice of completion was served, the following procedures apply:

(A) The clerk must set a hearing date on the Objection to Proposed Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-956) to be conducted no later than 25 court days from the date the objection is filed.

(B) The court may charge a motion fee to file the objection and schedule the hearing.

(C) The objection—including the date, time, and location of the hearing— must be served on the limited scope attorney and all other parties in the case (or on their attorneys, if they are represented). Unless the court orders a different time for service, the objection must be served by the deadline specified in Information for Client About Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-955-INFO).

(D) If the attorney wishes, he or she may file and serve a Response to Objection to Proposed Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-957). Unless otherwise directed by the court, any response should be filed with the court and served on the client and other parties, or their attorneys, at least nine court days before the hearing.

(E) Unless otherwise directed by the court, the attorney must prepare the Order on Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-958) and obtain the judge’s signature.

(F) The attorney is responsible for filing and serving the order on the client and other parties after the hearing, unless the court directs otherwise.

(G) If the court finds that the attorney has completed the agreed-upon work, the representation is concluded on the date determined by the court in Order on Completion of Limited Scope Representation (form FL-958).

(f) Nondisclosure of attorney assistance in preparation of court documents

(1) Nondisclosure In a family law proceeding, an attorney who contracts with a client to draft or assist in drafting legal documents, but does not make an appearance in the case, is not required to disclose within the text of the document that he or she was involved in preparing the documents.

(2) Attorney’s fees If a litigant seeks a court order for attorney’s fees incurred as a result of document preparation, the litigant must disclose to the court information required for a proper determination of attorney’s fees, including the name of the attorney who assisted in the preparation of the documents, the time involved or other basis for billing, the tasks performed, and the amount billed.

(3) Applicability This rule does not apply to an attorney who has made a general appearance or has contracted with his or her client to make an appearance on any issue that is the subject of the pleadings.

End

Plain-English Summary

Limited scope representation is an agreement that the lawyer will perform specific tasks rather than handle the whole case. The rule recognises two kinds. In noticed representation the attorney and party tell the court and the other parties. In undisclosed representation the attorney drafts or assists in drafting documents without appearing.

Noticed representation changes how papers are served, and the split is the part practitioners must get right: after the notice is filed, the attorney is served only with documents relating to the issues identified in it, and documents on every other issue go directly to the party. Before being relieved, the limited scope attorney must file and serve the order after hearing or judgment from the hearing they handled — unless the court directs otherwise or the notice said preparing it was outside the scope.

Getting out without a signed substitution has its own timetable. The attorney serves a proposed notice of completion, an information sheet for the client, and a blank objection form. If no objection is filed and served within 10 calendar days, the attorney serves and files a final notice with both proofs of service attached, may not be charged a filing fee even if they never appeared, and is relieved on the date the final notice is served.

If the client does object within 10 days, the clerk sets a hearing no later than 25 court days from filing, the court may charge a motion fee, the attorney may respond, and — unless the court directs otherwise — the attorney prepares the order, obtains the judge’s signature, and files and serves it. Where the court finds the agreed work complete, the representation concludes on the date the order sets.

For undisclosed representation, an attorney who drafts documents without appearing need not disclose that involvement in the text. But if the litigant later seeks a fee order for that work, they must disclose the attorney’s name, the time involved or other billing basis, the tasks performed, and the amount billed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is limited scope representation?

An agreement between an attorney and a client that the legal services will be limited to specific tasks the attorney will perform, rather than the whole case.

Who gets served once a limited scope notice is filed?

The attorney is served only with documents relating to the issues identified in the Notice of Limited Scope Representation. Documents on all other issues must be served directly on the party, or on the attorney representing them on those issues.

How does a limited scope attorney withdraw if I do not sign a substitution?

By serving a proposed Notice of Completion (form FL-955) with an information sheet and a blank objection form. If you do not object within 10 calendar days, the attorney files a final notice and is relieved on the date it is served on you.

What if I disagree that the work is finished?

File an Objection (form FL-956) within 10 calendar days. The clerk sets a hearing no later than 25 court days from filing, and the court decides whether the agreed work was completed.

Does a ghostwriting attorney have to be named on the document?

Not within the text of the document. But if you seek a court order for attorney’s fees for that work, you must disclose the attorney’s name, the time or other billing basis, the tasks performed, and the amount billed.

Amendment History

Rule 5.425 amended effective January 1, 2018; adopted effective January 1, 2013; previously amended effective September 1, 2017.)

(Subd (d) amended effective September 1, 2017.) (Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2018; previously amended and renumbered effective September 1, 2017.)

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

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