Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Texas

Nonresponsive & Inefficient Attorney

I hired an attorney Oct.2000 for an uncontested divorce (no real estate, assets and agreed custody/visitation for 1 child), and possible bankruptcy, who was referred via my EAP program. He wanted $2,000 retainer, which I supplied. In our contract he was to give me monthly itemized billing, which he has not yet done. He neglected to inform me of parenting class I needed to take, will not give me billing, has not gotten a court date. His direction as to the timing regarding my husband signing the petition, settlement and requesting the court date has changed repeadtly. What is my recourse?


Asked on 4/12/01, 5:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Nonresponsive & Inefficient Attorney

You have several options. Probably the most efficient is to retain a new attorney and let him advise you concerning your former attorney.

At the least one of you should send a certified return-receipt letter to attorney #1 demanding an accounting and refund of your retainer by a certain date.

If there is no complaince, or even if there is, you may then consider whether or not you should file a complaint with the diclipinary counsel for your state's Bar Association.

Read more
Answered on 6/12/01, 10:42 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility questions and answers in Texas