A qualified family lawyer reviews your completed FairWell document, checks it for errors, and gives you written feedback, for a flat $399.
Four steps from document to lawyer sign-off. No back-and-forth scheduling, no retainers, no invoices for emails.
Finish your separation agreement, parenting plan, or other document using the guided FairWell builder. Add lawyer review at checkout or from your dashboard.
FairWell matches your document with a qualified family lawyer in our network. They're familiar with our document structure and jurisdiction-specific requirements.
The lawyer reads your full document, checks for errors, missing clauses, and jurisdictional compliance issues. They write up their findings.
A written summary of findings, any recommended changes, and, if the document is sound, a lawyer sign-off letter you can use to satisfy ILA requirements.
This is a document review, not ongoing legal representation. Here's exactly what's covered and what isn't.
The lawyer reads your entire document, every clause, schedule, and attachment you've included. Not a scan. A proper review.
They verify the document meets the requirements of your province or state, the right language, the right provisions, nothing that would make it unenforceable.
Missing clauses, ambiguous language, provisions that conflict with each other, flagged with an explanation of why it matters and what to fix.
A clear written report you can read and act on. Not legalese. What the lawyer found, what they recommend, what's optional and what's essential to fix.
If the document passes review, you receive a signed letter from the lawyer confirming they reviewed it. This satisfies most ILA (Independent Legal Advice) requirements.
Some financial institutions, courts, and notaries want to see that both parties received independent legal advice before they'll recognize a separation agreement. This satisfies that requirement without a $2,000 retainer.
If the agreement covers a matrimonial home, a pension, substantial investments, or a business interest, a $399 check is cheap insurance. A mistake in a property clause can cost far more to fix later.
You've spent hours on this document. You know it well, maybe too well to see what's missing. An objective read from someone who reviews these every week is worth the peace of mind.
ILA means each party to a legal agreement had their own lawyer review it independently, confirm they understood it, and advise them before they signed. It's not the same as joint legal representation.
In Canada, ILA isn't always legally required, but it's strongly recommended for separation agreements, and some provinces won't uphold an agreement later if one party can show they didn't get it. In the US, requirements vary by state, but most family court judges look favorably on agreements where both parties had independent counsel.
FairWell's lawyer review is structured to satisfy ILA requirements in most Canadian provinces and US states. The sign-off letter is written precisely for this purpose.
The lawyer reviewing your document represents neither of you. They're reviewing the document for soundness, not advocating for your interests or your spouse's. If you need someone in your corner for a contested matter, that's a different product. The FairWell Directory can connect you with full-service family lawyers in your area.
A focused document review on a well-structured separation agreement takes a qualified family lawyer 35 to 45 minutes. In Ontario, the average family lawyer rate is $350–$450/hr. We pay our reviewing lawyers fairly, and we've built a flat-fee model so you're not watching the clock.
$399 is less than the cost of one hour of most family lawyers' time. It covers a full review, a written report, and a sign-off letter, not a hurried skim followed by an invoice you didn't expect.
| FairWell Review | Your Own Lawyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $399 flat | $1,500–$5,000+ (retainer + hourly) |
| Timeline | 3 business days | 2–6 weeks (scheduling + drafts) |
| ILA sign-off | Yes | Yes |
| Written report | Yes | Sometimes (additional cost) |
| Advocacy / negotiation | Not included | Yes |
| Court representation | Not included | Yes |
| Best for | Agreed separations needing a professional check | Contested or complex matters |
No. ILA by definition means each party gets independent advice. If both of you want a lawyer to sign off, you each purchase a review separately. The second review is $199 (not $399), the lawyer has already read the document once.
Most courts and financial institutions accept both spouses' sign-off letters as satisfying ILA requirements. If you're unsure whether your specific situation requires dual ILA, ask a local lawyer, or contact us and we'll give you a plain-English answer.
Complete your FairWell document first. Add lawyer review at checkout. Done in three business days.