Legal Question in Family Law in California
Can I request additional attorney fees after a judgement has been rendered in a divorce case in California? My attorney prepared my trial brief 3 months before trial. Many delays depleted my trust account with her. A few days before trial she wanted an additional retainer. Her request for money continued until the final judgement was issued. In the final judgement I was awarded the attorney fees requested at the time the trial brief was prepared. Since that time I paid her almost 10,000.00 in additional attorney fees. As soon as the judgment was entered my attorney dropped my case. My ex is claiming Res Judicata in my request for the additional cost.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Your attorney screwed up. They should have amended the requested fees. You should contact your local county Bar Association and demand fee arbitration for the attorney to disgorge some or all of the additional fees.
I'd take your retainer agreement to an attorney to review and get some consultation before going to fee arbitration.
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