Legal Question in Family Law in Iowa

Expectations from our lawyer

We are in Florida, my husband's kids are in Iowa with their Mom. She continually makes requests to make changes to different parts of the divorce decree. We had to change lawyers because the one we had wouldn't do the work we needed done, and when I called would repeatedly say ''oh, yeah, I forgot. I need to do that though.'' When we call the new lawyer, the receptionist always says she doesn't know what is going on but will find out and she or the lawyer will call us. They never call back! I call about every other week and feel like I am bothering them, but we need to know what is going on with the case. I asked if they had enough money from our retainer or if we needed to send more and the receptionist said we were okay, so this is not the problem. Is it common for law offices to not call if there is no news? I feel they should at least call back and let us know. I have made clear to her that we just want to know what is going on and that we are concerned that she never calls back as she says she will. I am hesitant to try to switch lawyers again as I do not know what the current lawyer has done so far if anything. Am I expecting too much?


Asked on 5/07/06, 6:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Re: Expectations from our lawyer

Well, that's really a legal ethics question. The single greatest source of complaints about lawyers here or anyplace else is "they didn't return my calls". I think it's reasonable enough to expect a call from the attorney saying "Nothing's going on don't worry about it."

I suggest you familiarize yourself with ICIS.

http://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TrialSimpFrame

Follow the instructions and that way you can see what, if anything, has been filed in your case.

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Answered on 5/07/06, 6:35 pm


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