My Divorce Lawyer

[Desdinova]

I'm trying to figure this 5hit out. My divorce is done. I had to pay my ex some legal costs which were supposed to be split between me and my lawyer, and I asked him for the final bill. Nothing's been done. He's been unresponsive to not only me, but also to my ex's lawyer.

So I paid my ex the costs upfront just to get her off my ass. I'm completely done with that situation, but despite me asking my lawyer two more times for a final bill, I haven't received one. In fact, he hasn't sent me a statement in two years.

So I'm trying to figure out what to do here. I stuffed away what I'm guessing is more than enough money to cover his costs, but alas it's not showing up. I'm wondering if it will ever show up. I'm thinking of talking to another lawyer to see if there's some sort of time frame that I should be receiving this bill. If it never shows up, I certainly wouldn't complain.

I'm thinking of keeping a set amount in savings in case the bill shows up. If it doesn't come in the next 10 years, then I'm pretty sure I'd be able to write the whole thing off.

Anybody have experience with not receiving a bill?

 

[RangerMIke]

If you are in the UK an invoice can be issued and honored up to 6 years... all you can do is set aside the amount and wait out to see if you are billed. I think it's the same for Australia, and Canada as well ... don't know about elsewhere.

In the US there is no specific 'law' that defines this, but you can not take any collection action on any debt after 6 years when goods or services are completed. So it is by default, it's really the same as the rest of the English Speaking world (Québec de ne pas résister si vous plaît).

Anyway, in the US since there is no law, then what ever is defined in the contract or purchase order is what is legally binding. I would review the agreement you have with your lawyer and find out what it says.

 

[zekko]

I've been hearing a lot of stories in real life lately about lawyers not responding to their clients, not calling them back, putting off doing any work on their cases, ignoring them basically. Not that lawyers have ever had a very good reputation to begin with - but what the heck is going on with this profession?

 

[Vulpine]

Maybe he's red pill and is giving you the "good guy discount"? After all, you are a smooth DJ and whatnot. You know better than us what the rapport was like.

Consider sending him a thank you card, or letter, addressed to him directly, thanking him for his pro-bono work (A nice one, one that he can keep for a portfolio/resumé); ensure him that his deed is not going unnoticed, and that you'll be recommending him highly to any unfortunate souls who should need his services, yada, yada...

You've always struck me as an honorable and respectable dude. He might see you the same way, but, he might get into hot water for pro-bono work if he's working within a firm. If he's not billing you, it might just be because he doesn't want to, and is trying to ignore you until you take the hint. Perhaps a bill with zeroes on the bottom line would create havok with the accounting department, and consequently, his partners?

 

[Desdinova]

I'm going to look into this 5hit legally. There's a place here that gives free legal advice to those who fall under a certain income bracket (I'm just under it). I don't want any surprises in the future, but I'm tired of hounding this guy so I can do what I'm supposed to do. I need to know what rights I have in a situation like this, because I'm honestly not expecting to see a bill anytime soon.

 

[Hurricane06]

I'm going to look into this 5hit legally. There's a place here that gives free legal advice to those who fall under a certain income bracket (I'm just under it). I don't want any surprises in the future, but I'm tired of hounding this guy so I can do what I'm supposed to do. I need to know what rights I have in a situation like this, because I'm honestly not expecting to see a bill anytime soon.

Ive seen this myself but it was a refund for services not rendered and took 8 months.I fronted a retainer and went with a new lawyer after she did nothing.
What you need to do is look at any contracts or writs from a judge that you signed as that is all u are liable for.If you did not agree to pay her costs you arent liable.If you did what was the amount?It has to be on paper in the US.
Consult another divorce lawyer or a contracts attorney and give your ex slag your new number 1-800-fuhk-off

 

[Desdinova]

My divorce is all settled and done with now

Well doesn't have experienced yet this thing but if you want to figure it out , consult it with the best Divorce attorney . They must have solution for your problem.

I just banned your money-sucking ass

 

[grayclif]

Go to his office and pay hIm $500 ask for a receipt for your divorce proceedings and then walk away. Put aside a another few $K in a yearly fixed and forget about it.

 

[dustmuffin]

In Oklahoma you are not legally required to pay a bill if it is not invoiced with in three years. Find out the law in your state. Put the money aside and wait. I didn't get my final bill for 2 years. My total was about 25k.

 

[Desdinova]

I quit asking my lawyer to bill me back in June. He's got himself in a bit of a noose. He was supposed to pay more than half of my ex's legal fees for a court appearance due to his fvcking up. He didn't do it, so I decided to pay her myself. If he decides to bill me, I'll be filing a complaint against him and request that he reimburse me her costs as well as mine due to his errors, which I have plenty of proof of. I did a search for him on a lawyers database, and he's got a few strikes against him already for similar errors. It would be in his best interest to avoid sending me a bill, and I have a feeling he may have gone that route.