Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

That is a very strange fee arrangement but you need to look at your fee agreement to determine what you agreed to pay. It may be that you agreed to those terms.

I don't think the fee arrangement, as you've described it, is proper.

A "retainer" is a fee you pay the attorney just for the privilege of saying that he or she represents you. It is not credited to the overall fee in your matter. People talk about retainers all the time, but I don't know any attorney who actually charges a retainer like this. I know that some do--I just don't know who. Most of us charge a deposit, incorrectly call it a retainer, and credit it to your overall fee in the matter. It's possible your attorney charges a true retainer so I'd read the fee agreement carefully to make sure.

The minimum fee MUST be credited to your overall fee in the matter. There is case law and ethics opinions on that.

Most importantly, however, is that if you are already this annoyed by your attorney, you need to move on to another one. It may not be your attorney's fault, it may not be your fault, but there is clearly a disconnect between you and my observation is that these relationships do not get better with time.

Good luck!!