Life_is_Good
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2007
- Messages
- 236
I haven't put too many personal issues out in this forum. That said, my family is going through a legal issue right now and we are having problems with the attorney we've hired.
I'm not asking for any legal advice and won't consider any postings/responses as such (so disclaimers are unnecessary). If you understand attorney thinking and can offer an opinion, please do.
So... this is the problem....
Our attorney took a retainer, represented us in court, and created a pretty good outcome. So far.... so good. All that's left to do is collect notarized signatures and file paperwork with the court. That would wrap up the case.
Well, we've tried to contact her (left a couple voicemails and emails) asking for a status update. We've been ignored. We've been trying to reach her for a couple weeks now. It feels like she's avoiding us.
The court deadline to return the paperwork is just a couple days away and we're stressing out because she hasn't responded to us.
We wonder if an attorney can just stop working on a case without formal notification to the client? We've not been contacted, nor have we received any type of billing statement with fee information. We also have not been asked for any more $$$ - in case her fees have exceeded the initial retainer.
I'm also concerned about who get's in trouble with the court if the paperwork is not filed by the deadline. I don't know if I'm responsible (since it's my case) or if my attorney is ultimately on the hook.
Ultimately I may have to file a complaint with the state bar. I really don't want to do that... I just want my case completed.
Jeez, we hate being so stressed out, especially around the holidays. We've never needed to hire an attorney before. This experience is not creating a bunch of warm and fuzzy feelings.
I'm waiting out the filing deadline and hope she wraps up the case on time. If it doesn't happen, I'm considering going to her law office to try and get an impromptu meeting. Could she avoid me if I'm sitting in her waiting room? I would never run my own business like this.
Any suggestions/opinions are welcome.
I'm not asking for any legal advice and won't consider any postings/responses as such (so disclaimers are unnecessary). If you understand attorney thinking and can offer an opinion, please do.
So... this is the problem....
Our attorney took a retainer, represented us in court, and created a pretty good outcome. So far.... so good. All that's left to do is collect notarized signatures and file paperwork with the court. That would wrap up the case.
Well, we've tried to contact her (left a couple voicemails and emails) asking for a status update. We've been ignored. We've been trying to reach her for a couple weeks now. It feels like she's avoiding us.
The court deadline to return the paperwork is just a couple days away and we're stressing out because she hasn't responded to us.
We wonder if an attorney can just stop working on a case without formal notification to the client? We've not been contacted, nor have we received any type of billing statement with fee information. We also have not been asked for any more $$$ - in case her fees have exceeded the initial retainer.
I'm also concerned about who get's in trouble with the court if the paperwork is not filed by the deadline. I don't know if I'm responsible (since it's my case) or if my attorney is ultimately on the hook.
Ultimately I may have to file a complaint with the state bar. I really don't want to do that... I just want my case completed.
Jeez, we hate being so stressed out, especially around the holidays. We've never needed to hire an attorney before. This experience is not creating a bunch of warm and fuzzy feelings.
I'm waiting out the filing deadline and hope she wraps up the case on time. If it doesn't happen, I'm considering going to her law office to try and get an impromptu meeting. Could she avoid me if I'm sitting in her waiting room? I would never run my own business like this.
Any suggestions/opinions are welcome.