Posted by Lisa Davison on 4/19/04

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I have a question. I know I'm not going to win against my
attorney. She will win hands down because I acted ignorant
and stupid. I've learned a very expensive lesson from all
this.

I'm just trying to file for separation. Actually I thought
since my estranged husband and me are on better terms then
my attorney and me now maybe I should do one of those do it
yourself divorces. She has the petition drafted up. After
six weeks my husband hasn't been served. I paid the
initial retainer fee and was told if the separation stayed
non-contested that that retainer fee would cover petition
(with a rough parenting plan included), filing fees and
final orders. She even itemized each document out for me
with what action would need to be taken. I've made several
phone calls to find out why he hadn't been served yet and
received no responses. The other day I received a bill for
an additional $150.00 which came as a surprise. I called
my attorney and she said that was because they saw it as an
contested divorce. I reminded her that it was an
uncontested divorce. She then told me to disregard the
bill. She called me back about 30 minutes later and was
quite aggitated and told me that she never agreed to a
flat/fixed fee and that she was irritated that I was
holding her to that and that there was nothing in writing
showing what she could do for that amount. I told her we
verbally agreed to this. She, of course, does not re-call
this. (My expensive mistake not getting this in writing). I
asked her why it cost an extra $150.00 when he wasn't even
served yet. The retainer fee was suppose to cover up to
the final orders and you can't do the final orders without
the other party being served. She said well you will be
charged extra for everything. Pretty much implied now that
I've copped an attitude with her she'd make me sorry and
charge me left and right and hung up on me. I have a
feeling I'm totally screwed. I don't think there is
anything I can do at this point. She knows I work for a
criminal justice agency and the people who hire court
appointed attorney. She said originally she wanted to be
good to our people because we refer business to her. I
could try to give her a bad recommendation to use her, but
that wouldn't really hurt her and I don't want to sink to
that level either. Any suggestions on what I can do? I
don't really think this woman will be forgiving. She's
very angry and has an now has an I'll show you attitude.

I'm so very disappointed. I went with this attorney
because I thought she would fight for me not against me. In
many cases a person usually retains an attorney and
sacrifices what little they have to protect what little is
theirs. This ends up a double screw for the client.

Be careful, don't be stupid like me. I don't care if I have
to swallow my pride but once you make an attorney mad do
you think they ever forgive you and let it go?

Lisa

How to repair attorney/client relationship, 4/19/04, by Lisa Davison.

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