I went to a paralegal that did namechanges and over they phone they said it would cost $250 total for the entire thing. When I went in, they gave me a vague view of the process and got some of my information. The way they explained it to me was that I was giving them $250 for them to send to the court which is the exact price the court requires. Then handed me a contract and said it had everything they went over and dont need to look through it, so then I signed. After signing they told me that I needed to send an additional $250 to the court and that the money I just paid was for the photocopying process, bu**! I told them to cancel and they said they would if they knew how to do it. They said to dispute it with credit card company and they will allow the refund. I got the refund two months later after a dispute with the card company and now the paralegal is demanding the money back using the contract phenomen you all know. Can anybody give me advice and tell me if I am in my rights.
2006-10-03 12:03:42 · 6 answers · asked by oriononebay 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If the extra $250 fee was in the contract you signed, then you cannot dispute it. Whenever you sign a contract, you are responsible for everything in the contract. Never listen to someone who tells you not to read what you are signing. The contract will hold up in court.
2006-10-03 12:11:36 · answer #1 · answered by dh1977 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this sounds like a scam.
If you still have a copy of the records then find the Judge’s name and write their office. If the paralegal is threatening you with a big stick then get a bigger stick. If the judge finds out that they are not practicing the law incorrectly then they will be in trouble; trouble as in jail term.
Paralegals don't have the right to practice law. All they can do is file the paperwork for you; they can’t even give you legal advice. You could have done this yourself, but they have only made the situation more complex. The problem is that legally you signed a contract, you received services (photocopying), and you paid for it. That means in a court of law you are liable for the $250.00
If they told you the price was $250 and then did not fulfill that contract then they broke it and you are not liable. The problem is that you didn't read the contract; the paralegals are only required to fulfill the WRITTEN contract, not the verbal contract. It is unfair practice, and I would report this paralegal firm to the Better Business Bureau.
I hope I don't have to tell you to ALWAYS, ALWAYS, read the contract, and I hope that I don't have to tell you that if a group tells you not to bother reading the contract then you should walk away. That is how people are able to pull scams.
1. Read the contract and see what it says. If it says that you have to only pay $250, then they broke the contract. If the contract says that you will pay $250 plus expenses then you are stuck.
2. Go to the judge, or the court that is responsible for making the name change and tell the clerk your problem. Don't talk with the judge, because he/she is too busy. The clerk keeps the judge's calendar and if they think you have a case then they can put you on the calendar.
3. Talk with your credit card company and ask them for help. If they refunded your money then they must think that you were right. This isn’t a case of credit fraud, but it could be a case of fraud committed with you and your credit card company. Again it all depends on the contract itself.
4. Look for legal assistance. You can start here: http://law.freeadvice.com/general_practice/contract_law/
You should email the Ask an Attorney section; they will only charge you $10 for their advice, if that much.
This site will do what your Paralegals were supposed to do. They will mail you a set of legal forms for your state so you can file by mail. Unless you are changing your name to “The Mad Hatter” or something equally weird most judges just consider it paperwork and can do it all by mail. In my state they only charged $40 for the legal forms. http://www.legaladviceline.com/documentcreation.htm
This site charges $1/day for advice: http://www.legalservices4less.com/google/legalhelp.htm
I assumed the in the above that you are a US citizen, since this is the US site of Yahoo, but I have seen a lot of Brits wander over here. In that case try this site: http://www.clickdocs.co.uk/change-of-name-deed.htm
2006-10-03 12:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they misrepresented things, then you might be able to fight them on that. But you need to be slapped - NEVER SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT READING IT FIRST!!! Not only will it explain everything, but if there are questions, they might be in the contract, as well as all of the fee info and what will be done.
I would speak to a lawyer and find out things, but if you signed, by signing the document, you agreed to all fees and services that are stated on the paper. Hense, reading things before signing them.
2006-10-03 12:12:00 · answer #3 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What employ did you've her signal? a good employ might want to have some clause about fraudulent information and the outcome of that. regrettably, in some places, that's confusing to evict even fraudulent or negligent human beings, yet won't be able to damage to attempt. See what your employ says and tenant's regulations on your jurisdiction. might want to require the police to evict them even with the actuality that. those who deliberately mislead are unlikely to care about breaking a freelance.
2016-12-04 04:37:50 · answer #4 · answered by reeves 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were stupid enough to sign a contract without reading it, the fault is yours.
2006-10-03 12:11:40 · answer #5 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would get a layers advice some give you free 1 time consultations good luck
2006-10-03 12:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by nights_an_whitesatin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋