Legal Question in Family Law in California
After a year of dragging my divorce case out and draining every liquid asset I have to pay her fees my attorney is asking me to sign a substitution of attorney 6 weeks before we are supposed to go to trial because I am unable to pay her further until the divorce is resolved. I have paid her over 70k so far and she says I owe another 18k. But she has not finished the job. Do I have to pay her for work she didn't finish? Am I hurting myself further by signing the substitution of Attorney or is it better for me to let her file a motion to be removed. She has already taken advantage of my lack of knowledge of my rights. I do not know how to proceed with her.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Unless your divorce is amazingly complex or you and/or your ex-to-be have grossly complicated it, that is an absurd amount of money to bill for a divorce. I suggest you find another attorney right away and if they agree that you have been ripped off, then demand your money back and file a complaint with the State Bar.