Legal Question in Legal Malpractice in Michigan

Attorney Billing

I hired an attorney for a basic divorce with childeren in 1-03. I paid him his $500 retainer fee and he never billed me for the rest of the divorce. I assumed since it was an easy/no problem divorce that I did not owe him any more money. I received a bill today for $1200, almost 3 years later. The money is not the issue. I just feel that I should have been billed 3 years ago and this would have been taken care of. Is there anything I can do as far as reporting this to someone about unfair practices or something? or is this typical of attorney billings?


Asked on 1/22/06, 10:05 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Don Darnell Darnell & Lulgjuraj, P.C.

Re: Attorney Billing

Well, its not malpractice, and its not less than fair or ethical. However, I don't know if its the best business practice.

Perhaps you can just call him and discuss why you are concerned.

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Answered on 1/22/06, 10:31 am
William Stern William Stern, P.C.

Re: Attorney Billing

Take a look at the bill and see if it is accurate. If it is, you owe the money, as long as you agreed to pay an hourly rate. A lot of lawyers wait until two yars passes before bothering clients for more money because the statute of limitations on legal malpractice is 2 years and a lot of clients start getting dissatisfied once they receive a bill so this way, the lawyer does not have to worry about some client filing a counterclaim in the event that the former client is sued for the fee. Whether this is right or not, it is the way of the world. William S. Stern

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Answered on 1/22/06, 11:19 am


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