how can you get your money back from crappy attorney

If you and your former attorney disagree on the amount of refund you are due, you can usually get help. State and local agencies that regulate attorney conduct in each state, called bar associations, often offer fee arbitration services.

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Can I get my money back from my lawyer?

Jun 19, 2020 · There is no guarantee that you can get your money back from a lawyer. However, if your attorney has wrongfully kept some or all of your retainer or financial settlement, your state bar association might be able to help. The more work you are willing to do, the more likely you are to shake loose your money from your attorney’s possession.

Can I fire my lawyer and get my money back?

Aug 24, 2010 · 1 attorney answer. Yes. Lawyers at the middle class end of private practice are vulnerable to the arbitration proceeding. You file a complaint regarding a fee dispute and a hearing will take place where the lawyer will have to defend his billing. If …

Can I get a refund if my lawyer quits?

Jul 07, 2011 · This is called a retainer. If you fire a lawyer to whom you have paid a retainer, you are entitled to a refund of whatever money remains of the retainer after the lawyer is paid for his services up through the time you fired him. Once you fire him, he must prepare and give you a written accounting of the funds and a refund check.

What is the best way to get my money back?

Feb 05, 2018 · It’s better, Costello said, to do your due diligence beforehand to ensure you’re hiring a competent, legal contractor: Hire an attorney. It’s another expense and it takes time, but it’s often the best option for getting your money back if the amount is above what your state recovery fund allows in a complaint (typically $20,000).

How long does a lawyer have to be suspended in Arizona?

The lawyer must have been licensed or authorized to practice law in Arizona. The lawyer must have been disciplined with a suspension for longer than six months, interim suspension, disbarment or a felony conviction related to the claim.

Who is Ray Bedell?

Ray Bedell, a retired Phoenix electrician , had borrowed and scraped together more than $5,000 to hire an attorney in a family court case so he could spend more time with his daughter.

1 attorney answer

Yes. Lawyers at the middle class end of private practice are vulnerable to the arbitration proceeding. You file a complaint regarding a fee dispute and a hearing will take place where the lawyer will have to defend his billing. If he fails, you get a recovery...

Peter Christopher Lomtevas

Yes. Lawyers at the middle class end of private practice are vulnerable to the arbitration proceeding. You file a complaint regarding a fee dispute and a hearing will take place where the lawyer will have to defend his billing. If he fails, you get a recovery...

What to do if you disagree with your attorney?

Bar Association Assistance. If you and your former attorney disagree on the amount of refund you are due, you can usually get help. State and local agencies that regulate attorney conduct in each state, called bar associations, often offer fee arbitration services.

What happens if you lose a contingency agreement?

In a contingency arrangement, you pay no fees up front, and if you lose, you owe your attorney nothing. If you win, however, the attorney retains a set percentage as his fee. Since you do not give the lawyer any money up front, you cannot demand a refund if you fire the attorney before trial. On the other hand, if you replace him with another attorney and continue the litigation, he may and probably will claim part of any attorney fees won by your new counsel.

What does "rob Peter to pay Paul" mean?

In other words, they use the funds they collect from one customer to complete or pay for the job of another. It’s a dangerous way to run a business, but many contractors do it. For contractors who have walked off of your job, or are slow to complete certain phases of it, ...

What is the limit for small claims court?

Small claims court. If the amount is $10,000 or less , or whatever limits your state’s small claims court allows for litigation, this might be your best option. No attorneys are allowed and you represent yourself with documentation, photos, contracts and other “evidence.”.

Who is Becky Blanton?

Becky Blanton is a full-time ghostwriter and writing coach for Fortune 500 companies, CEOs, and business speakers. In 2009 she spoke at TED Global at Oxford University, her first ever public speaking gig. When she's not writing, she's kayaking in the Chesapeake Bay.

What is the BBB?

Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB rarely files negative responses on dues-paying members, but their report to you may be used to show a court of law you have exhausted all avenues in seeking to get your funds returned. Consumer reporters.

What is a contractor license?

Contractor licenses consist of two parts: the class of license (A, B, or C), which determines the monetary value of contracts/projects that may be performed, and the classification/specialty, which determines what type of work is allowed. The Board also regulates individual tradesmen, such as electricians, plumbers, etc.

What to do if you disagree with a final accounting?

If you disagree with the final accounting, and especially if you think you’re owed a refund, you should first contact the attorney, explain why you think you were overcharged, and attempt to amicably resolve the dispute. Again, be sure to document the details of any dispute or demand in writing, whether as part of a letter to your attorney, or as a “memorandum” to yourself.

What is representation fee?

All states adhere to the following principle where this aspect of the attorney-client relationship is concerned: Representation fees paid to a lawyer in advance (whether that money is described as a retainer, a deposit, or something else) belong to the client until the lawyer actually does the work to earn the money.