Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Return of balance of court awarded attorney's fees
The judge ordered my ex to pay $20,000 in attorney's fees that were put into a trust under my attorney's name in February 2007. At the time I was paid to date on her fees. The divorce became final 3/15/07 and I have still not received a final statement from my attorney or the balance of the trust. When I asked her assistant who handles invoicing, she said she had been too busy to sort through it. Prior to the $20k award the bills were punctual. Does the law dictate the length of time my attorney can hold money the court awarded to me?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Return of balance of court awarded attorney's fees
Generally, an attorney must return client funds within a "reasonable" amount of time after a client makes such a request. If you have a fee agreement with your attorney, it may state a specific amount of time (mine usually say funds will be returned within 30 days after a written request is received by my office).
I recommend that you send a letter to your attorney's office demanding an immediate accounting of what you owe (if anything) and return of the balance to you. The letter should be send by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the attorney does not respond after 30 days or so of her receipt, then you should contact the State Bar of Texas.
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