Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

I filed a petition in court for partial custody for my newborn daughter. I hired an attorney to represent me, and i am completely dissatisfied with his work. He failed to attend my 2nd mediation, and instead of immediately scheduling a make-up he allowed the opposing attorney to schedule a make-up in approx 2 months. Currenly, I have no visitation right for my daughtger. Also, the longer the case the more the opposing side can charge me to pay there attorney fees. First question, can i demand my attorney pay for the missed mediation? Also, i have a fixed contract w/ my attorney, can i somehow get out of my contract? I have paid 80% of my fixed contract, but i'm concerned my attorney does not have my best interest. What should i do?


Asked on 4/22/10, 3:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lucreita Becude Lucreita D. Becude, P.A.

Report your attorney to the Florida Bar. I suggest you hire an attorney who has your best interest at heart - sadly their are those attorneys who want money but do not produce the results. If the mediation was cancelled due to conflict of interest and the other attorney was informed prior to the schedule, there should be no charge. If the attornew failed to show, he should pay. As to attorney fees, you are not responsible for the bio person for their fees unless the court orders them. You are probably having to pay child support which is required based on financial affidavits filed by each of you with the court. Has this been done? Not enough infor to answer you.

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Answered on 4/28/10, 7:44 am


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