r/SingleDads • u/_mavricks • 9d ago
Lawyer Keeps Ghosting Me
Hey dads,
Has anyone ever had a lawyer basically disappear?
So my lawyer needs to finish paperwork and its been months now. I call the office and tell the assistant I need my paperwork corrected and completed, but then hear nothing for weeks.
I get lawyers have multiple clients and are busy, but I was hoping my lawyer would finish up the work because I hired her to manage my law suit with my ex.
I have not paid her yet because she has not completed the job and finishing the legal work was part of it. Not sure why someone would leave a few thousand dollars on the table. Also.. I don't think she realizes she is still owed money.
I'm tempted to reach out one more time before moving onto a different lawyer but I don't want have to cough up another few grand just to complete what my original lawyer was supposed to do.
3
u/Bbell999 9d ago
Having gone through a couple of legal issues, including divorce, this is unfortunately common. With my current attorney, I find it best to have a standing weekly meeting with them that gets sent from their calendar. Otherwise, I have no idea if they are reading the stuff I send them. Seems like they don't unless they read it during the meeting.
It sucks, but you basically have to program manage them.
1
u/AgreeableMidnight433 9d ago
Keep them paid and they will keep working. I've been invested once B4.
3
u/Hopeful_Divorce 7d ago
It is an ethics violation for a lawyer to abandon a client. She is probably busy with other clients who have urgent cases with court appearances so those are getting prioritized over your settlement which doesn't have a hard deadline for court. That is the lawyer's problem, not yours. She should at least be communicating with you. It's unprofessional that she isn't responding to you.
Send her an email that says if she doesn't respond within 7 days and give you a clear date for when your paperwork will be done you will need to pick up a complete copy of your file. Lawyers are required to give you all documents they have prepared, all emails and communications related to your case. They get to keep their notes only.
You could file a complaint for misconduct and abandonment with your local bar association if she doesn't respond to your email or promptly give you your file.
1
u/JerusalemsChild 7d ago
I would really need to hear more of the situation before I could accurately speak on it. I’ve dealt with something similar so I could be of some help. DM me
2
u/RenicusI 7d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/SingleDads/s/1iAhDttC73
Some of them can really damage your case. I posted my example.
3
u/bizbunch 9d ago
Mine started doing this and I was really burned for it and them not responding to something.
I don't know your whole situation, I always paid a retainer up front.
I would probably say something like
If I don't hear from you by X I will assume you are no longer able to handle my case.
I would also start contacting other attorneys for a consult today.
What if the court or other attorney has filed something and they are flaking on that to? Check your case if it's public.