Polls

Is it time for a new lawyer?

Many of you know my situation with my bf and his ex. We hired a lawyer last January to help with the situation.
I am not sure what to think about him. We call about things we need to know and rarely get a return call.
Yesterday we had a court time at 9 am. My bf called him the day before to talk to him about it and actually was transferred through and was able to speak to him. He stated that his ex had said he was behind on his child support. I had no clue of this until that time but asked my bf how much are you behind. He owed her 50 bucks from 2 weeks ago and had not paid last weeks. We went round and round , I fronted him the money from his check and we went that day to catch her up. I didn't want him to go to court being behind.So I bailed him out again.
Anyway, we show up for court at 8:45 and wait for his lawyer. He came in, went into the court room, came out and left without saying a word. Her lawyer was there and went upstairs then came back down and left. We sat there for at least a half an hour waiting for SOMETHING. His name was never called. I called his lawyer to find out what we were supposed to do and was told by his secretary that there was a contiuance and that his lawyer would call us when he returned to the office. We dropped some paperwork by his office and left. No phone call has been received from him.
I think we should have been told by his lawyer before he left what was going on. I am new to this whole legal thing and is just seemed very unprofessional for us to have been treated that way by someone we are paying. BUT as I said I haven't a clue. Any advise would be well taken.

by mtnvly 3539 Posts
Posted on 8/29/2008 9:17 PM

See more polls in Virginia

Get Alerts!

send to friend

Send to a friend

Is it time for a new lawyer? on divorce360.com

E-mail: Separate multiple addresses with commas(,)

From (Your name) :

Your e-mail address:

10	Flag item :: Why are you flagging item: Submit \| Cancel

Cast your vote

Should we get another lawyer?
Should we just hang on and wait ?
Should we call his lawyer and just ask why he didn't talk to us?
>> View Results without Voting

Comments for "divorce360.com | Is it time for a new lawyer?" (5) (You must be logged in to answer)

At least you are included in what is taking place with the attorney and your bf and you know 1st hand what is going on.

I was married when my husband found a attorney to take his "X" to court regarding the child visitation, etc..

The attorney asked me why I was there. I said to support my husband. I asked if I could go to the court hearing. Again he said why would you want to do that. I didn't go.

He is now the attorney my stbx is using for the big "D".

Hang in there.

by lgoodgal 1036 Posts
Posted on 10/29/2008 11:04 PM

	0	Flag item :: Why are you flagging item: Submit \| Cancel

He ticks me off so much! He told my bf that if they agreed on the paperwork she submits then he does not need to go to court. If he doesn't then he will have to. Well that day was today. All week he has tried to call him to find out. I was assuming that he would see some paperwork...say yes or no and go from there. We were finally able to schedule something for Thursday...to discuss his court date next week.
Yesterday morning my bf called and asked what was going on and was told if he had to show up he would get a call. Go figure ..we were just to sit and wait til he got a call..just like before when we were left sitting in the hall way...
The day rolled on..and then at 4:30 I called his lawyer and spoke to his secretary.I said we just need to know one way or the other.....she went and asked him and he said no he didn't have to show up and he would discuss things on Thursday.
So it is killing me to know what was decided today. Physco is trying to get him to pay more than his share...she is not following the agreement and his lawyer seems to have forgotten what it states...and I wonder if the choice was made with out his consent.
If his lawyer doesn't get off of his rear and do something next week we WILL be seeking other counsel. After all that is what he is getting paid for.

by mtnvly 3539 Posts
Posted on 10/29/2008 10:31 PM

	0	Flag item :: Why are you flagging item: Submit \| Cancel

I understand him wanting to wait until the insurance issue is settled - if you are going to appeal - you have to walk in there with everything else taken care of - so the concentration is on what you are appealing for - not sidelined by other distractable issues.

but you do need to discuss with him his lack of communication - that is not professional and should not cause you to have to spend more money - he isn't handling your case badly, he is just handling you, well, your bf, badly.

by spaznskitz 7745 Posts
Posted on 8/30/2008 3:47 PM

	0	Flag item :: Why are you flagging item: Submit \| Cancel

I wonder too if the ball was dropped . He said he was going to call her lawyer the day before when my bf talked to him. Maybe he did tell his staff to call and they forgot. I really would like to think that is what happened but I also know that he rarely returns calls. I was very surprised that my bf was able to talk to him the day before. That is a first! Usually we call and leave messages and don't get a call back.
I know also , when they had a court date on Feb 14, that she had filed that he wasn't paying his child support( it was the kids insurance that she was calling his child support, which technically he doesn't have to pay now but is) .They had given him an additional court date of Feb 13th. He got a call on the 12th from his lawyers staff ( no paperwork was ever received) and told that he didn't have to show up on the 13th, that he had talked to the judge and requested everything be handled on the 14th instead. It just seems ridiculous that things are going the way they are.
He (his lawyer) doesn't want to pursue the appeal until this thing with the insurance is settled. Now that is in Oct and hunting season is right around the corner and his kids won't be able to go because she is afraid that I will be there or my kids will.
I am sorry but I am very frustrated with the whole situation. Seems it goes round and round.

by mtnvly 3539 Posts
Posted on 8/30/2008 7:46 AM

	0	Flag item :: Why are you flagging item: Submit \| Cancel

That was completely unprofessional but don't jump the gun and go to new counsel just yet.

First, you call and find out why you were not told when you were standing right there - he may not have seen you - he may have instructed his office to let you know it was going to be continued, and they dropped the ball, so he was not expecting to see you there.

If you don't get a return call in a timely manner on Tuesday (since it is a holiday weekend) on wednesday write him a letter, e-mail if that is an option, explining that concern - as well as how you don't feel you are getting adequate response when you do call.

If you don't get response from that, you contact your bar association, and file a grievience and they will mediate your dispute, in other words, a rep will call and chew him out for non-responsiveness and that ususally kicks them into action.
You don't want to have the expense of another retainer, more time taken because they need to catch up on the case, and look bad to the court for having to yet again change attorneys.

He sounds like a typicl attorney who is on an overloaded case schedule right now. It can happen when what are thougt to be simple cases - blow up.

What I do, and you can suggest if you so desire, is to have a set date and time where you call in, they take the call and any questions/issues.updates are made - you never skip the call, even if there isn't anything - it's a regular status report thing...helps keep the lines of communication open.

On my "status phone call" days, you usually find me on here all day, because I'm on the phone with clients and not much of anything else.

by spaznskitz 7745 Posts
Posted on 8/29/2008 9:32 PM

	0	Flag item :: Why are you flagging item: Submit \| Cancel

Divorce360.com is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer, accountant, financial planner, therapist or other professional to obtain advice. Divorce360.com is not intended to, and should not, take the place of professional advice. The opinions expressed in the divorce360.com message boards are those of the author and the author alone. Divorce360.com does not endorse any specific product or service.