Legal Question in Family Law in California

my atty is over charging me in my divorce case. it is a very simple case. I've hired a firm and they have changed my atty at least 4 times so far, they have not gotten the results they said they could, and now they refuse to go any further til i pay them more money. I've paid them 10k so far-they say i owe them 20k, again its not a complicated case at all. I have been told that once an atty takes a retainer on a case they have to see it through til its finished. is this true? and how do i enforce it?


Asked on 9/12/09, 2:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

You should read your attorney fee contract. In my experience in family law cases, the retainer fee is an up front fee that the attorney receives to start the case. The attorney's fees are deducted from the retainer. If the fee exceeds the retainer then the attorney is entitled to be paid for the additional work. An attorney is not required to complete the case once the retainer is paid unless the case is taken on a flat fee basis.

You should discuss the work done in your case and the terms of your fee agreement with the attorney.

Read more
Answered on 9/12/09, 2:30 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in California