I've had this lawyer for years and have always been satisfied with her work, but lately it seems as if her head isn't screwed on properly. She was okay until she got married and started having kids. She is supposed to be helping me with my parent's estates that have to be probated, so I brought all the documents she requested. Weeks passed and I heard nothing. Finally I called her. A few days later she returned my call and informed me that she just hasn't gotten around to submitting it to probate. I let it ride a few more weeks and contacted her again, A week passed and she phoned me. Now the story is that somehow she misplaced the documents and I'd have to pay her to go up to the county seat and request duplicates. I'm really getting fed up with this B.S. She doesn't seem to keep any regular office hours and is slow in returning calls. I'd go to another lawyer, but I have no documents now and she's the only attorney in town that handles estates. Any suggestions?
2007-05-03 05:48:49 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I have not heard from her since, so I decided to call her again. Now I get the three tones and a message that her number is out of service and no further information. I drove down to the office, but it was dark and bare. Apparently she has gone out of business. Maybe she just decided she wanted to be a mother instead of a lawyer. Now I don't know where to go to get my papers returned.
2007-05-04 00:58:25 · update #1
1. Don't pay her to get copies of documents that she lost.
2. Write her (certified mail and regular mail) stating that if the complete probate documents are not filed with the proper court by XXX date (give her at least three weeks) you will contact the State Bar Association.
3. Be prepared to hire an attorney from another town. (The Bar Association may have a referral service.)
4. Report her to the Bar Association if she continues with this behavior.
2007-05-03 05:59:26 · answer #1 · answered by Scotty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless there is something unusual about your parents' estates, then almost any attorney should be able to handle the probate. Probate is generally considered to be an "easy" area of the law to practice. Contact other attorneys in your town to see if they are willing to take over the case. If not, then contact another attorney from outside your town. Work as best you can to get new copies of the documents from whoever supplied them in the first place.
If you cannot find an attorney to take over the case, then contact your state's bar association. It varies from state to state, but generally, the attorney can be disciplined for being unresponsive. Additionally, asking a client to spend additional funds because the attorney lost documents is likely a reason for discipline. If she is doing this to you, she is likely doing this to others.
2007-05-03 13:06:15 · answer #2 · answered by mcmufin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe a complaint to your States Bar Association regarding her ethics. Contemplate a change if you are paying money for a product and receiving nothing it would seem that there should be some equality for you from a consumer standpoint. Maybe you should talk to an attorney that specializes in legal malpractice. Searches on the internet show that there are a large number of attorneys that work on legal malpractice cases but just remember that all the way to court that attorneys are attorneys all the way up to and including the judge.
2007-05-03 15:58:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a lawyer in a neighboring town that handles estates. Attorneys should always return calls within one business day -- even if it is to tell you that they can't do anything for you. Nonresponsiveness from an attorney is unacceptable. You need to ask for your file (if you have paid your bill, she must give it to you or your new lawyer) and find another lawyer.
2007-05-03 12:54:56 · answer #4 · answered by MrGlich 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Charging a client to replace documents that the lawyer misplaced is unacceptable, as is not returning calls. It isn't going to get better.
Engage new counsel.
2007-05-03 13:05:53 · answer #5 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write her a letter explaining your concerns. Tell her that her service is lacking in satisfaction for you and that unless she replaces the documents SHE lost at not cost to you, you will be forced to write a letter to the Bar Association.
Attorney's do not ever want to have a bar complaint filed against them, but she is violating her ethical duties to you.
2007-05-03 12:58:25 · answer #6 · answered by Starla_C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's time for another lawyer..and don't pay the existing one anything Go to "wwwlegalmatch.com" These are prescreened attorneys..When you find another lawyer, that you feel you will be happy with, tell her/him your problem with your existing attorney...And take it from there..Good Luck..Don't wait too long!
2007-05-03 13:02:12 · answer #7 · answered by howdoilvthee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give her some girlie 1 on 1 time....thats what she's lookin for!
Or you could go to college and be a lawyer, but 1 on 1 might work faster!
2007-05-03 12:53:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Play hard ball and warn her if she doesnt fulfill your request in a timely manner you will be writing a letter to the state(your state) bar.
2007-05-03 12:57:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need to report her to the Bar Association in your state. If they find that she is at fault they will make her produce copies of your papers to go elsewhere! Good Luck!!
2007-05-03 13:07:53 · answer #10 · answered by stacey_moser2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋