My mother is going through a divorce and she and I decided to go see this attorney who's add said "free consultation." We simply needed an attorney to negociate a buy-out price against my stepfather to obtain the house...nothing further. But this attorney wouldn't listen to us and instead would be chatting about his experience dealing with other cases not related to our desires. I'm farely familar with the law and I knew up front that he wasn't suited for our needs.
We left before an hour and then tried to make my mother sign a retainer agreement and I told him that my mother would need at least a day to think about it. Then he said "Well if you don't take your case with me I will charge you for this consulation since it's free only for 30 minutes." FIRST OF ALL, THERE WAS NO PLACE IN THE ADD THAT SPECIFIED A TIME FOR THAT FREE CONSULATATION. SECOND, HE SHOULD HAVE TOLD US ABOUT THE 30MIN RULE WHICH WASN'T DISCLOSED.
any suggestions??? we will tell him to go to small claims court
2006-07-20 05:33:53 · 15 answers · asked by christiansareawesome 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
He wants $300.00 not $30
2006-07-20 05:34:07 · update #1
HE IS CHARGING US $THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS....NOT...THIRTY DOLLARS
2006-07-20 05:40:18 · update #2
Contact your local bar association. You can file a grievance.
2006-07-20 05:36:07 · answer #1 · answered by Old Money 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wait it out, see what he does first. Be prepared as people have said before. All orginal ad, receipts make sure your son maybe writes down what was said during the consultation and yourself as well. Try to remember what the lawyer said etc. Create a paper trail, every phone, letter, note etc from this guy keep and if he does take you then you have some proof of what you knew. He's a lawyer, he's got tricks up his sweaty sleeve.
I had this happen to me at a car dealership, I threatened the guy and he left me alone (LOL) Good luck!
2006-07-20 05:57:32 · answer #2 · answered by Barbie doll lover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there was nothing in the ad about a 30 minute rule, legally he can't charge you. Be sure to keep the original ad in case he does take you to court so you can use it as evidence. I know $30 isn't a lot of money, but you shouldn't give in to this guy and pay him. It's a matter of principle.
2006-07-20 05:38:13 · answer #3 · answered by tkron31 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should have given you a document showing any charges in addition to the 30 minutes. I went and did the same thing, and they made me sign a paper saying I knew how much it would cost if I went over 30 minutes. You should have had to sign something similar BEFORE he saw you. He has no proof you were there let alone any proof or signature denoting that you agreed to pay anything. I would take it to small claims.
2006-07-20 05:37:13 · answer #4 · answered by Stacy W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several avenues to file a complaint, but you don't have to if you do not want to. I would suggest for you to do it, however, because it makes the honest and ethical lawyers look bad when someone pulls something like this. Your state attorney general's office handles consumer complaints, which would handle the entrapment part of this lawyer's plan. Additionally, you can contact your local bar association. He is responsible to them for his license.
Also check with your bar the next time you go see a lawyer, and before you talk to them mention that the reason why you went to them is because of what the bar association said.
I have enclosed the link for the American Bar Association. Do a search under "(your state's name) bar association" to find the state bar. Do not speak to this lawyer again and save anything he mails to you (if you gave him your address by mistake). Do not inform him of your actions. Only good lawyers act appropriately to surprises. If he is so desperate for business that he needs to charge money to anyone who so much as looks at his office, he is not a very good lawyer.
2006-07-20 06:14:20 · answer #5 · answered by Discipulo legis, quis cogitat? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure, take him to small claims court.
First, though, get a clear copy of the lawyer's advertisement; read it thoroughly for any small print; and, if you can find nothing in the ad referring to a fee you'll be charged, take that ad with you when you go to court.
Also, write down everything that happened: the time you went in, how long you spent in his office, what was talked about, if any fee was mentioned, and so forth. Having a written record helps your claim in court.
In court, be sure to let the judge know that you are unwilling to pay the lawyer's fee and also that you want that lawyer to have to pay the court costs for your day in court. (You don't want to get socked with court costs if you win.)
2006-07-20 05:38:36 · answer #6 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the info on the fee consultation in writing or did you sign anything? If you did not report him to the ethics committee of your local Bar Association. Send a copy of your complaint to him. $300 an hour seems high ? Is he a specialist? Were you advised of his rates? Sounds like a shyster to me.
2006-07-20 05:39:50 · answer #7 · answered by Philip S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if he takes u to small claims court be prepared with the original an from the paper and any information that u may have to help u with this situation. It will be very good that u have any crucial information to help u.
2006-07-20 05:40:10 · answer #8 · answered by lu-lu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well ignore his request and if he send you a bill, then report him to the board. Make sure you have a copy of his ad and if he continue to harass you about it, then make sure you write everything down and record all conversations. Tell him to take you to court about it, or you take him to court for harassment if that is the case.
2006-07-20 05:42:29 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look on the web for your states bar association under which will be a section which allows to contest the fee, or the next letter he sends or if he calls tell him you want to contest his fee threw the state bar association which will mitigate this situation
2006-07-20 06:40:53 · answer #10 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋