Legal Question in Family Law in New Jersey

can not afford lawyer bill being sued what do i do?

Help I just received a letter from my divorce lawyer. They are suing me for $14,000 plus interest and court costs. They want full payment immediately. I do not have the funds. I am a single mom supporting 3 kids and a home. How do I resolve this? My attorney raised her fees from $175 an hour to $200 an hour to $210 an hour.I have a child custody lien on my house for about $75,000. I get no alimony or child support. Is she allowed to continously raise her fees throughout the divorce process? She also called my rabbi asking him to get involved. Her senior partner said to me '' we do not handle cases like yours'' I guess I do not have enough money for her. Please respond quickly. I need advice.


Asked on 5/03/03, 10:30 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Gary Moore Gary Moore Attorney At Law

Re: can not afford lawyer bill being sued what do i do?

Call the local bar association in the county where the lawyer has his office.

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Answered on 5/03/03, 11:39 pm
Bruce Matez Gerstein Grayson, LLP

Re: can not afford lawyer bill being sued what do i do?

There is a fee arbitration process in New Jersey. Your attorney was obligated to notify you of the fee arbitration options before filing suit. If you failed to respond to that notice, they have a right to sue you for the fee. You should check into the Fee Arbitration option. You can contact the Fee Arbitration Office of the Supreme Court of New Jersey at (609) 530-4008

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Answered on 5/04/03, 3:27 pm


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