Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois
married 25yrs got 3 yrs reviewable maintance in divorce- filed to have it continued-hired attorney after interviewing many-once hired - she was very difficult to reach, actually times she did not reply at all. Demanded that I pay balance in full or she would not show up in court- when I told her it was not reasonable to send me a bill and demand payment of over a thousand dollars within one week- her response was "don't you trust me" and "you will get money" I paid her in full on credit cards. She was spacey when I did speak with her seemed to not remember anything about my case- I hoped she was just distracted by other cases and when it was my time to go before the judge she would be the person I interviewed--went before judge, within minutes judgement came down- no more support. She said nothing in my defense. we didn't even have to be there. She told the judge I made more money than I do and when I spoke up she asked me to give her my paystub--she had no paperwork with her even though for a year I supplied her with all updates. She even defended my ex in a way -saying your honor neither one of these clients make much money. She was to go back before the judge in 2 wks- I tried several times to contact her as I was going out of town. she did not reply and when I came back there was a letter from her telling me she was going before the judge asking to be removed from my case for lack of communication- really??? The paperwork I got forwarded to me from my ex's attorney states that not only will I not recieve any more maintanence but my rights to go after it the future are also taken away. he argued that because I improved my situation financially, I should not recieve maintanence, yes I did- i got a full time job. I was an at home mom for 99 percent of my marraige. Honestly she just stood there didn't say barely a word in my defense- I had a friend with me I am not exaggerating and it isn't a case of being upset by the decision.I feel that my side has not been presented to the judge. What should I do, I am now in debt and have no savings account. Is this worth persuing with another attorney, or is the judges decision final? Please help
1 Answer from Attorneys
Frustration is what you must be feeling. I can't comment on your attorney, I don't know what happened, I don't have your casefile, and I'm in a poor position to say anything other than to suggest presenting your file to another set of eyes. This is presuming that your attorney is no longer representing you and/or the matter have been adjudicated - but 30 days have not yet passed since the entry of judgment.