Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

I have an attorney that is untrust worthy and unproductive.We have gone over certain things in my case over and over but yet he still forgets many things even as simply as how many children I have.We have been to court for my divorce and had nothing done with parenting plan.The Judge ordered mediation so we can get it done but according to my attorney if we agreed to everything we dont need mediation (which we agreed apon things before the divorce but attorney never had anything done) BUT my Ex and I are agreeing to everything so it seems to be a easy finish in the case but he has said we ARE going to mediation anyways.I have paid $4,500.00 which is astronomical!This was the amount he was suppose to be keeping everything under because I have stated SEVERAL times over that I have NO more money to put out for this and after asking over a month and half ago for a summary of where we stood for the fees up to now he hands me a paper telling me i know owe him another $1080.00 and will be quite a bit more if i continue with him as my attorney.So as I'm saying I don't agree with all this when there hasnt been much done to my case and he's saying fees are more!?! So he asked then are you wanting me to not represent you anymore? I said "Guess not, can't afford it,you're pushing this into mediation which cost more money and I can't afford to pay you especially when not much has been done in my case." So with all that said what can I do now? Should I continue and figure a pay to pay several thousand more that I don't have that i don't feel he is right for my case, is it possible we go to mediation and I could finish my case or should I try to hire someone else that will Actually work for ME that won't take advantage of me or disrepect me like he has? Need answers as soon as possible please!


Asked on 6/14/12, 12:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
R. Jason de Groot R. Jason de Groot, P.A.

You can ask the attorney to withdraw and the court will enter an order saying he has no more responsibility to you. Then you can hire another attorney which will probably cost three times more than you have already paid, if you are truthful. You can ask the spouse to have her attorney draft a settlement agreement and send it to your attorney. You can go to mediation which is being pushed by the Court, and get everything settled in writing. It took time to get to where you are now in the litigation, and it will take time to complete it.

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Answered on 7/05/12, 8:15 am


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