can you reach out to the judge when you feel an attorney is dragging their feet

by Mrs. Zoey Murray Jr. 6 min read

Can a lawyer ask to try a case in front of Judge?

Jan 06, 2017 · One of the most important details an attorney needs to pay attention to is the statute of limitations for whatever infraction you are suing the defendant for. They must see past the defendant’s attempts to stall proceedings that would risk dragging out the case to the point where it is too old for a judge or jury to hear or justice to prevail.

What happens if you contact a judge directly?

Jan 04, 2011 · The Judge in your case is not likely the person that can help with you with your attorney. The Judge will be limited as to anything they can do by the fact that you are represented by counsel and he cannot have unfair or impartial contact with one side in a case.

What happens if my lawyer doesn’t respond to my case?

Nov 07, 2016 · Having an experienced personal New York divorce attorney can ensure this delay will be stopped or never even occur. Focus of Your Attorney. The focus of many divorcing couples is often getting the divorce over so they can move on with their life to a certain degree. For many divorcing couples, it actually means the power to marry again.

How do I talk to a judge about my case?

If you send a letter or other document directly to the judge without providing a copy of it to every other party on your case (or the party’s attorney, if the party has an attorney), the judge or court staff will be required to notify all parties (or their attorneys) about your communication so the other parties can respond to it.

Why is my lawyer dragging his feet?

Generally, when you have a lawyer dragging his feet, you believe your lawyer is working too slowly. ... For example, the lawyer can be waiting for court dates, negotiating with the other side, waiting for medical records, and more.Jul 22, 2021

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.Jan 15, 2010

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

How do you know if a lawyer is scamming you?

Some common signs of a scam include:Payment needs to happen quickly. You can't ask questions or get clarification.It's an emergency. Someone may threaten you or your loved ones.Requests for money usually happen over text, email or phone.The person contacting you is not someone you recognize.Mar 29, 2021

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

Do lawyers tell the truth all the time?

Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to be truthful. A criminal defence lawyer, for example, in zealously defending a client, has no obligation to actively present the truth. Counsel may not deliberately mislead the court, but has no obligation to tell the defendant's whole story.

Why is my attorney not fighting for me?

For example, in a custody, divorce, criminal, or civil case, your lawyer might not be fighting properly. It might be a sign of incompetence or even a conflict of interest in your client attorney relationship. If you believe that my lawyer is not fighting for me, it may be due to the lawyer's style and mannerisms.Jul 24, 2020

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

Can your lawyer lie to you?

In California, the Rules of Professional Conduct govern a lawyer's ethical duties. The law prohibits lawyers from engaging in dishonesty.Jun 17, 2015

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

The rules of legal ethics in most states require attorneys to be honest and to be able to do their job at a certain level of competence. If you feel that your legal representative has lied or misled you, or is performing their duties at a level below that of a competent attorney, you may want to file a lawsuit.May 8, 2020

Alyssa Candace Vaughn

Thank you for your question.#N#The amount of time a divorce takes depends on the parties and the lawyers involved and the complexity of the issues in the case so it is hard to say if four years is too long.

Jennifer H. Keaton

Four years is a long time. However, it may not be a long time if you and/or your wife cannot agree on a settlement. Civil matters, such as divorce, do not require a "speedy trial" (that's for the criminal matters). So, any gamesmanship by you, the wife, or the attorneys may have little to do with getting a divorce...

Paula Jeanette Mcgill

Talk to your attorney about the matter. If he doesn't give you a satisfactory answer, retain another one or handle the matter yourself. However, the judge won't discuss the case with you as long as you are represented by an attorney.

How long does it take for a spouse to get divorced?

A formal legal separation gives the spouses two years to reach a final decision on whether to divorce, and also includes the option for either spouse to file for a “no fault” divorce after the time period is expired.

Can a divorce be granted in New York?

In New York, divorces are granted by the state according to reasons, and each case must qualify.

Can alimony be increased in divorce?

Some divorce cases can result in increased alimony payments based on certain case factors, but these cases are also often strongly defended and can be difficult when reaching an agreement. The reasons for the delay may not be your attorney. Mediation and Communication.

What is ex parte communication?

An ex parte communication occurs when a party to a case, or someone involved with a party, talks or writes to or otherwise communicates directly with the judge about the issues in the case without the other parties’ knowledge.

Do you have to file a motion with the court?

You must file your motion, letter or document with the court. Remember to attach the document as proof that a copy of the motion, letter or document was given to the other parties. This document also must be filed with the court. The clerk of the court will indicate on your motion, letter, or document, the time and date it was received ...

What happens at a motion hearing?

Usually, the judge will schedule a hearing on your motion. During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to explain your position to the judge in court. Judges must make their decisions based only on the relevant facts or issues of the case and the applicable laws.

Do you have to notify the judge of a letter?

If you send a letter or other document directly to the judge without providing a copy of it to every other party on your case (or the party’s attorney, if the party has an attorney), the judge or court staff will be required to notify all parties (or their attorneys) about your communication so the other parties can respond to it.

What is disclosure in court?

This is called “disclosure” and helps to ensure that your case is handled fairly. You may also cause your case to be delayed or even dismissed. Also, the court may “strike” (delete or ignore) any evidence affected by your ex parte communication.

How to explain your side of the story?

You should be explaining your side by filing a Request for Orders and Supporting Declaration of all relevant facts which support your request. Your other opportunity to share your side of the story is by your own testimony and that of your witnesses while at the court hearing. Keep in mind, that the information must be relevant to the issues ...

Is it appropriate to write a letter to a judge?

It's not appropriate to correspond directly with the judge without providing the other side the communication as well. A letter is also not the appropriate method to have the judge consider information in your case. There isn't much information in your inquiry.

Can a judge look at ex parte letters?

If you don't have one, you should get one. The judge cannot consider a letter from you. That is an ex parte communication and he cannot look at it. The only thing the judge can look at are the pleadings in the file.

What are the rights of a lawyer?

Some basic rights that you are entitled to include proper and effective communication/correspondence between a client and his or her attorney, the competency of the attorney to know the core knowledge and expertise of a client’s legal issue, the work was completed ethically and the agreement of fees is followed. As a summary, you can and should expect your lawyer to do the following: 1 Give you guidance regarding your legal circumstance 2 Keep you up to date about your case 3 Tell you what he or she thinks will transpire in your case 4 Allow you to make vital judgments concerning your case 5 Give you an assessment about what your case ought to cost 6 Help you in any cost-benefit evaluation that you may need 7 Keep in communication with you 8 Inform you of any changes, delays, or setbacks 9 Give you the information you need to make educated decisions, and 10 Prepare you for your case, including disposition and trial preparation.

Why is it so hard to win a malpractice case?

It is very hard to win a malpractice case because of the amount of evidence you need to prove that the lawyer failed to use the ordinary skill and care that would be used by other lawyers in handling a similar problem or case under similar conditions.

What to do if you don't pay a bill?

If you believe the bill that you’ve received is outside of the context of your agreement, don’t pay it. Ask your lawyer about why the bill is the amount it is and—if you disagree, ask for a reduction. If the lawyer refuses to do so, consider filing for a nonbinding fee arbitration with a state or local bar association. Arbitration allows an outside party to become the neutral decision-maker when regarding bills and finances. It can be binding or nonbinding which allows you to reject the arbitrator’s assessment. Find out more from our local association.

Can you file a malpractice claim against a lawyer?

While it may be upsetting to not get the compensation you thought you deserved based on your attorney’s comments, you cannot file a malpractice claim against this fallacy. You can, however, get your file from the lawyer and get a second opinion on your case.

Can you settle a case without a lawyer?

Yes, you can. However, you would have to prove that your lawyer did so without your authorization because the settlement was far less than what you were truly owed and didn’t effectively represent your case or that the lack of communication was systematic.

What are the causes of malpractice?

These basic pieces of malpractice are all due to problems associated with troubled attorney-client relationships. They are normally set off by a lack of communication, dishonestly and incompetence, inadequate legal work, arbitration, and billings.

What is the impact of child custody?

A child custody case can seem like a maze of legal paperwork, court dates, and visitation schedules; missing even a single detail in any of these areas can have a negative impact. Simply put, your relationship with your child is too important to risk letting that happen in a child custody case.Instead, you should look for an experienced family law ...

Is divorce hard to handle?

Posted by Matthew Myers on June 15, 2016. When you’re going through a divorce, it can be hard to handle the stress and emotional turmoil. Often, the legal aspects of divorce tend to get tangled up with the emotional and personal issues that led to the end of the relationship, and arguments over child custody only complicate the situation further.

What can an attorney do for a child?

An attorney can also use their experience to present your case before the judge in a clear and compelling fashion and communicate with the other side so that personal emotions don’t get in the way of what’s best for your child.

What is ex parte communication?

Before you contact a judge, ensure you are not in a current court case. “Ex parte” communication happens when someone involved with the case communicates directly with the judge. Ex parte communication is not allowed and could negatively affect your case. Instead, file a motion to a judge if you are in a current case and want ...

How to write a motion for a judge?

If you have a lawyer, they can help you draft the motion and submit it. If you want to draft the motion yourself, find a sample online to help guide you. Title your motion, introduce yourself, explain the facts and evidence, and add a conclusion. Then, complete your motion and add affidavits for supporting evidence.

Can you contact a judge outside of court?

For most court cases, ex parte communication is strictly prohibited, as it can impact the decision of the case. If you are currently in a case, you are not permitted to contact a judge outside of the courtroom. Instead of contacting the judge directly, you can file a written motion.

How long does it take to respond to a motion in court?

If the other party has a lawyer representing them, provide the copy of the motion to the lawyer. The other party has 15 days to file a written response regarding your motion. After the other party responds, the motion transfers to the judge so they can make their decision.

Why is it important to approach a lawyer with honesty?

“ Winning cases can be lost because of a client who lies or exaggerates just as easily as because of a lawyer who tells the client what the client wants to hear instead of what is true.” So when dealing with attorneys, don’t just look for honesty—be honest.

What is a potential money pit?

When hiring an attorney, a potential money pit is “expenses” outside of the lawyer’s billable hours. Expenses include everything—copying and faxing costs, hiring expert witnesses, and even traveling via private jet, points out attorney Justin C. Roberts. Some lawyers don’t just pass the charges along; instead, they charge an additional percentage fee. Whatever their method, you need to know it up front so there won’t be any surprises when the bill arrives.

How to get a good lawyer to take your case?

“If you want to improve your chances of securing the best lawyer to take your case, you need to prepare before you meet them,” advises attorney Stephen Babcock. “Get your story, facts, and proof together well before your first meeting.” This not only ensures that you understand your own needs, but it helps a good lawyer to ascertain whether he or she can actually help you. “We want the best clients too. Proving you’re organized and reliable helps us.”

Do most cases settle outside the courtroom?

In choosing your attorney and your plan of action in resolving a dispute, it’s important to consider that despite what you see on television, most cases never see the inside of a courtroom. Typically, they’re settled outside the courtroom because of the time and expense involved, according to attorney Darren Heitner, author of How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know.

Do good lawyers always find every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge?

In my experience, a good lawyer always finds every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge, and only relents on trying a case before the bench when all alternatives have been exhausted,” attorney, Jason Cruz says. “If a lawyer suggests they want to try the case in front of a judge, you should definitely speak with another lawyer before proceeding,”

Can you appeal a disability denial?

If you feel helpless when faced with an insurance denial, please know that you might be able to appeal with the help of a qualified lawyer, says David Himelfarb, attorney. Insurance companies routinely deny long-term disability claims, for example, particularly because it’s assumed that most people don’t have access to reputable attorneys to challenge the denial. “This is where intricate knowledge of the legal and insurance process, as well as the right team of experts to prove the claim, can reverse the odds.”