Divorce after Twenty years together Community Group

I want to start something for those of us that were married for a long long time. I think that we face a little different issues than those who were dating for a few years or even married for shorter period of time. Being married for so long we have older children some have grandkids dealing with teenagers and their reaction to the divorice empty nesters dating after 40...

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/ Divorce after Twenty years together Support Group

Attorney's Unbelievable Bill

goldengir
goldengir
So, I went to my ex-attorney's office to pick up my file and a check for the remainder of my retainer. Because they have done very, very little for me, I assumed that they would return most of it. I got NONE of it. $3,500! Here's what she did. She listed every little interaction…phone calls…emails…meetings….and charged me accordingly. Nothing wrong with that. However, she greatly overestimated the time required to review each, which brought the total to a whopping $7,000. Then, she waived everything but the $3,500, calling it a professional courtesy, which my new attorney said would allow her deduct $3,500. So, not only did she not doing anything for me, she took my money and then got a huge tax deduction at the same time. I am just horrified. Anyone experienced anything like this? Anything you can do about it? I want my money back!
hurtinandhealin2560
hurtinandhealin2560
You could report her to the state bar association, but I doubt much will happen. Attorneys do charge--some in 15 minute increments, so every call, email, meeting, etc. gets charged.

I blew through my first retainer because I kept calling about all kinds of things. After that, I made sure any call or email was a MUST.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I hope you have better luck with your new attorney.

Hugs!!
CallenderGirl
CallenderGirl
The attorney I went to spent most of our time together telling me stories of his adventures of adolescence. It was infuriating, and when I'd try to redirect him he became terse and unhelpful. It was $450 for 90 minutes of storytelling. I didn't go back. I am going to file myself and if I really need someone I will do a lot of research first. No wonder they have reputations as sharks!
goldengir
goldengir
Interestingly, I signed her retainer agreement in early February. I was supposed to be receiving monthly statements. Yesterday was the first one. So, definitely a breach of contract there. Thinking of taking her to small claims court. I've done that before and won.
Atpeacemary
Atpeacemary
go for it. They will try to squeeze every penny they can get. Those unscrupulous ones are the ones that give a bad name to the rest.
KRKing911
KRKing911
That just sucks... I'm sorry you got ripped off. I hope you make out ok with your new lawyer.. Life is full of lessons isn't it?
goldengir
goldengir
I wish I knew what the lesson was here. I really liked this attorney. She was my fav out of several I interviewed. I felt good about her right from the start. And I'm pretty good about seeing through people. Ha! Didn't see this coming AT ALL.
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