Well this isn't good!

[Anonymous]

After informing my attorney verbally and in written form, that I did not wish to retain his services for my bankruptcy, and that I would like my paperwork and fee returned to me. I recieved an email from their office today stating that they would only be sending me back less than half of the fee for one day's work!!  Unless I used them for my bankruptcy that is. This is obscene. I was in their office on the 11th of this month for less than an hour. The afternoon of the 12th I called the office and told them to hold off since I was not satisfied with the lawyers ideas about the reaffirmation of the house. The secretary said she still needed a few things from me yet anyway, so I could take my time deciding what to do. Now they are stating that the papers are complete, which they are not. I have not sent them the additional paperwork they requested, I still do not want to reaffirm on the house, I signed no paperwork with them whatsoever. But whatever, if I do not finish up the bankruptcy with them, I will no longer have enough money to get a different attorney. Looks like they have me over a barrel.  And I'll never feel as tho I have a lawyer that represents my best interest 

[starry1]

I'd file a complaint with your state's Bar.

[Smarty0103]

That will get their attention--trust me I have worked for a bk firm

[Anonymous]

I called the attorney that I planned to hire once I got my fee back from the other lawyer and she told me that I should ask for an itemized bill for his and his secretary's work to show how it added up to half of my fee in one days time. And then to tell them that since it was obvious that they had left me with no choice but to use their service, because now I don't have enough to retain a different lawyer, that they were responsible for answering my questions completely, whether I like them or not. We can do it in person, or over the phone. She said I could also mention ARDC if I wanted..lol  She sounded a little disgusted with the guy. She said if he didn't give me the answers completely, she would still give me a second opinion, for a fee, of course. Which I don't have. I had expected a nominal fee for what they had done, but certainly not half of my fee. So now I'm trapped with this guy, I guess..  It just doesn't seem right, but evidently it's how the lawyer world works.

[grassfeeder]

if these are the ethics he practives, just imagine how poorly you will be represented.  The damage would far exceed whatever fee he's requesting.

Do whatever you can and whatever you have to to get out of that situation.

[starry1]

I'm a paralegal, and I'm here to tell you that's only how sleazy lawyers work. Write the Bar a letter stating you want to file a complaint and could they please give you some guidance on how to do that and cc the sleazy lawyer. I guarantee you he will do a 180.

[StartingOver10]

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@starry1 wrote:

I'm a paralegal, and I'm here to tell you that's only how sleazy lawyers work. Write the Bar a letter stating you want to file a complaint and could they please give you some guidance on how to do that and cc the sleazy lawyer. I guarantee you he will do a 180.

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Well said.

Get away from that lawyer. Do as the others suggest to get your $$ back. He is counting on you to come back to him rather than fight him. He probably will fold like a deck of cards once the BAR gets involved. You need a decent attorney for BK, not some sleazy attorney that doesn't know up from down.

[Countingpennies]

I agree with the above advice. I would also ask for an itemized description of services rendered, (before you file with the bar, in case you need that.)

One reason I chose my BK lawyer: he gave me a printout specifying his fee, itemized what he would do for that fee, what he doesn't do, and listed a number of other services that would be extra. Many people talk to 5 or 6 attorneys before deciding on the right one.

Some attorneys will work out a payment plan. Some that do that will want it all before filing, some before the 341.

[Anonymous]

I'm so tired and worn out tonight, I don't even care. Do not understand how some people can look in the mirror in the morning and say, I've done a good job. Afraid contacting the bar will worsen my standing with him and it will even get worse. I interviewed him quite some time ago and at the point he seemed to be good. Til we got to the home reaffirmation part..several months later..kinda fell apart then.  I'm exhausted.

[Anonymous]

Well, after sending the attorney an email yesterday asking for an itemized billing of his time, he emailed me back today with a full explanation of the pros and cons of reaffirming my home. Well he did a complete 180 turn from what he originally told me when we met. He now believes that I should not reaffirm the house whereas before, he absolutely believed I should. Of course i realize that by not reaffirming my mortgage, my bank can start foreclosure at some point. However, I am current with my loan and plan to stay current. Banks are not real estate agents. They would much rather have someone paying the loan as opposed to it sitting empty. I think it is worth taking the chance on. Isn't it? lol