Legal Question in Family Law in California

I was in court with my attorney who suggested I delay the trail because of some deal she made with the other persons attorney. This dea did not help me at all so I rejected the deal and wanted to continue the court date. The judge did not call my case until after lunch so my attorney said because I rejected her attempts to pospone the trail she was going to charge me an additonal $300 for staying through lunch. Can she do this???? There was nothing in the retainer that stated additonal chargers would be incurred under these circumstances....And I got everything and more that I wanted and more from the judge in my trial. so I was rights in rejecting my attorney's deal she made with the orther persons attorney. Is there anything I can do???


Asked on 2/18/10, 8:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Sure you can. When you get her bill, if she adds the $300, don't pay it. Just pay what you owe. If she pushes it, go to mandatory fee arbitration. She's only entitled to a "reasonable" fee. Charging extra for not being allowed to make a mistake, honest as it might have been, is not going to be found reasonable by any fee arbitrator I know of.

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Answered on 2/23/10, 8:48 pm


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