Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Awarded Attorney Fees

I hired an attorney to handle a family law matter on a flat fee plus filing fee basis. I paid the flat fee in advance and asked that we request the court to award attorney fees from the other party. The court awarded the attorney fees to us and the other party paid them to my attorney but the attorney refuses to forward the funds to me stating they are his attorney fees and his flat fee was only what he agreed to accept from me not for the entire matter. Does this attorney have the right to keep any awarded attorney fees if he has already been paid in full for his services?


Asked on 3/12/03, 1:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
H.M. Torrey The Law Offices of H.M. Torrey

Re: Awarded Attorney Fees

from the facts given thus far, it is difficulto ascertain what you and/or your attorney might have been entitled to thru the court's award of attorney fees. if you have a copy of the attorney-client agreement you and your attorney signed before working on your case, i can give you a much more thorough explanation of your rights in respect to this attorney's claims.

just let me know if you have a copy of your attorney-client agreement, and email me the basics on what it says in the meantime. also, let me know the amount you feel you are entitled to overall.

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Answered on 3/12/03, 1:30 pm


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