Legal Question in Family Law in North Carolina

I hired a law firm to represent me for a rule 60 motion. Our case was heard and we are awaiting the judge's decision. My attorney continues to charge me. We are in week 5 of waiting for a decision. I even had a charge from the case manager for organizing the documents on the client portal. WHAT?! My case is done. Do I need my attorney anymore? Is it possible to remove them at this point? Would there be any disadvantages to me? What alternatives are available? Could I hire a paralegal? My attorney had told me that the only future work they could foresee would be if the judge asked them to write the final order. And yet, they continue to find things to charge me for without doing any real work. Can I be done with them?


Asked on 8/20/23, 3:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

This is essentially your fault. You should have hired an attorney that does flat rate billing so that you know up front exactly what the service will cost or your agreement with the attorney should have been specific about how, when and what will be billed for. If you left all that up to the whim of the attorney - you should expect to be gouged. As to options: 1) you can sit down with your attorney and attempt to compromise about the billing 2) you can fire the attorney but that may have unpleasant consequences if you don't hire a new attorney or 3) make a complaint to the Fee Dispute section of the NC Bar - however, they are likely to just tell you what I did that it is your fault you should have been more specific with your fee agreement with the attorney. Best of luck.

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Answered on 8/22/23, 10:24 am


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