What you are effectively saying is applying the "Lessons Learned" from your case and the cases of others on this forum and other forums to provide advice/guidance/direction to people who may not have the financial means, people who are looking to reduce billing costs with their lawyers or people looking to supplement the direction they are getting from their lawyer.
I think there is a market for what you are suggesting. For my first court date, while I was sitting in the court room as well in the waiting room, I become engaged in discussions with 4-5 people who were looking for guidance on how to fill out forms, strategiess they should look for, next steps, etc. I shared my approach and directed many to this forum as well, to other resources for additional information.
During my MIP, I ran into a similar situation, where I spent 45 mins after the MIP sharing advice with someone who did not have the financial means to retain a lawyer, and did not necessarily know where to go.
I have tried to templatize my documentation so that it has a standard format and flow.
Section A: Correspondence letters to Counsel
Section B: Court document submissions
Section C: Separation Agreements
Section D: Financial Statements
Section E: Government Acts, Forms
Section F: Supporting cases from CANLII
Section g: Supporting data
I reviewed my approach, strategy and documentation with my Lawyer, a Duty Counsel at the Court and few others and I was surprised at their feedback. Even the financial analysis I did, was beyond what the law firm was doing. They asked if they can use my approach for other clients - as a result, I am in the process of creating my website (
Home Page), web service app and mobile apps, and other tools to "sell" to firms and people.
What I see the opportunity here is as follows:
1 - Financial Anlaytics and Optimization Services - help people understand before, current, future financial picture. Provide insight and foresight into their financial landscape. End result - 1 - Better position them for equalization, post separation accounting discussions, and 2 - develop a roadmap for financial sustainability.
2 - Online Portal such as this - to leverage the lessons learned from the diverse set of people and situations here and provide a list of options that people can choose from.
3 - Business to Business services - where you can offer supplemental support to law firms from an analytics and overall preparedness perspective.
Net is - people need help - there is a need and this forum has been tremendous in helping to fill some of that need. However, with 55-65% of the loss in salary as a result of divorces, one needs to capitalize on new opportunities and see if new sources of revenue can be explored.
Drop me a note if you want to discuss further. But I like the idea and I am on a similar path.
