If my lawyer negotiates an out of court settlement with the defendant, and receives a check for $1000. How do I know that he has received any money? What stops him from pocketing the cash? Or lyuing about the received amount?
2006-06-30 12:48:45 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Sure they can. The question is will they?
Attorneys are bound by a code of ethics and stealing surely is outside what is allowed.
Generally, for a settlement to be completed, you will have to sign off on the settlement agreement, and what is often called a "Mutual and general release". This is a document that states that the claim has been resolved or satisfied and that you no longer have any cause of action regarding this matter or against that party. The terms of the settlement are usually set out clearly in this document.
Any funds recieved on your behalf by an attorney should be deposited in an escrow account and the attorney needs your permission to withdraw those funds to pay himself and you.
If you believe the attorney has stolen your money, contact the local bar association and file a grievance. Attorneys get disbarred for stealing clients money.
Note, however, the attorney is entitled to be paid for his services. What was your agreement with the attorney?
2006-06-30 13:17:34 · answer #1 · answered by Steve Wood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because the settlement money will be handle to you as the complainant and you are the one who is going to sign the paper for settlement. if happens that this lawyers steal the money you can still go get another lawyer to handle the case because is not settle. And there is another new dependant your previous lawyer. You dont need to be smart, just be aware of choosing people trying to help you or put you down.
2006-06-30 13:01:50 · answer #2 · answered by dreamer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's no settlement agreement without your signature.
Also, usually the payor must report the amount on a 1099 to the IRS.
If you don't trust your lawyer not to lie and steal from you, you probably should not have that lawyer.
2006-06-30 13:48:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there was such a settlement it must be recorded or the people paying it are just plain stupid. If you are not paid then you are not settled just becuase your lawyer is. You should demand a letter or documentation from the person paying the settlement.
2006-06-30 12:50:52 · answer #4 · answered by netjr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Lawyer Stole My Money
2017-01-19 13:13:20 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can make him show you the settlement papers. Lawyer's will steal whatever is not nailed down and most of them should be in jail not working at them.
2006-06-30 12:55:52 · answer #6 · answered by mr conservative 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It took you 34 years to do anything about a stolen $300,000???? Too late to do anything about it now. You should have filed suit and an ethics complaint against the lawyer 33 years and 11 months ago.
2016-03-26 23:29:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Attorney's are held to a code of ethics and doing this could cause him to be disbarred. I don't think any attorney would risk being disbarred over $1,000.
2006-06-30 12:51:55 · answer #8 · answered by rockinout 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I have a lawyer will the insurance company tell me how much they paid him
2015-10-17 15:52:00 · answer #9 · answered by leslie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long can lawyer hold my money after he gave me part of it
2017-02-16 17:58:07 · answer #10 · answered by Cheri 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋