Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
I'm in Florida. My ex-boyfriend filed a petition for sole custody of our child. I hired a lawyer represent me and answer this petition. He told me an counter petition had to be filed along with the answer and he charged me accordingly. He gave me the paper work to fill out. At some point I called him about the case, but he never called me back. As the deadline was nearing, I called him again and he told me he couldn't talk to me, he was on a vacation. I called him back when he told me to, at which point we were past the 20 days deadline to file for a counter petition. He informed me that he had talked to the lawyer representing my ex-boyfriend and he was really nice and we didn't need to worry about filing a counter petition because my ex-boyfriend's lawyer assured him they weren't out to cause any grief and everything would be resolved at mediation. He hasn't offered to pay me back the money he charged me for filing a counter petition. Shouldn't he? Furthermore, my lawyer and my ex-boyfriend share the same paralegal and I just realized there was a conflict of interest. I am starting to feel suspicious about this lawyer. He won't return my phone calls. He's very arranging with the other party, and he ignores the issues I bring up to him. For example, my ex-friend is very hostile and I'd rather not turn in itemized bank statements because he will be able to figure out where I live. I got bullied by his paralegal. What do you think about this situation and what should I do??
2 Answers from Attorneys
Fire your attorney, and retain new counsel. Do so in writing and via email.
How can they share the same paralegal, with the same paralegal working the file for both sides? That appears to be an off the wall a screaming conflict of interest. Your entitled to a detailed account of where your money went. Demand a detailed closing statement, and the return of all documents you provided to your attorney. Get a complete set of copies of all documents filed and propounded in your case. You might also want to consider making a formal complaint with the Florida Bar Association.
I will not tell you what you want to hear, just to be retained.
Contact me to schedule a no obligation office consultation. While telephone calls, and email responses, are encouraged, please do not send text messages.
Sincerely, Elliot Goldstein
Law Offices of Elliot Jay Goldstein, P.A.
1014 Ohio Ave., Ste. B
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Tele. No.: 727/455-6596
Law Offices of Elliot Jay Goldstein, P.A.
550 N. Reo St. Ste. 300
Tampa, FL 33609
Tele. No.: 813/810-1500
You should contact the FLorida Bar and report that lawyer plus retain a new lawyer who can help you.
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