Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois

Once the divorce decree is entered, your attorney's job is done, unless there is a written engagement that includes some kind of follow up to help implement the decree. Divorce attorneys make a nice chunk of change on post-decree matters like custody battles, exes failing to live up to their obligations, etc. You managed to give your attorney an administrative function. Then again your decree may have included the obligation of your ex to pay for implementation of your rights even if your attorney handled them..... So part of it is you need to look at the decree again. Back in the day an attorney like me would have helped notify credit card companies, etc. for changes, etc. as part of the arrangement, and fees were "rational". If that was not part of your arrangement, you re-hired the attorney. If it was part of your engagement, it should be part of the engagement letter including what the fees would be and if now the attorney should have given you a fee quote before starting the work. I really don't know what the hourly is for post-decree administrative matters, but I've heard that "simple" custody issues can be $15,000.00. Yet to simply get some records changed this does seem a bit high. Your best bet is to start with your own attorney, and ask if your ex is responsible for these kinds of fees too under the decree. If not you should certainly not hesitate asking for some discount or relief, and considering handling these things yourself, or find an attorney who can handle just post-decree for a better rate. If you get nowhere you might consider having another attorney review the decree and your fee billing to date. As a "last resort" you can consider filing a complaint with the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission. Family Law attorneys are usually especially careful to let their clients know about the limits of their engagement because of situations like these and because their malpractice insurance premiums are usually also pretty steep. Good luck.

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