how can i find out if my lawyer is conning me out of money

How do I find a trust litigation attorney?

Oct 02, 2011 · You must send your attorney a fax or certified letter, ask for a full accounting and a copy of the release and settlement draft. Give your attorney 30 days, or tell them you will file a bar complaint. Remember to document the demand, much better then a phone call.

How do I find out if a case has been opened?

Oct 31, 2020 · If you exhaust all possible avenues to recover your money, you can hire a debt recovery lawyer to go after the clients. It is advisable to avoid debt by all means, but if you are owed by creditors and cannot seem to find a way out, you will need an experienced lawyer to help you get out of debt.

How do I find out if someone has passed away?

Fraud and financial crimes are a form of theft/larceny that occur when a person or entity takes money or property, or uses them in an illicit manner, with the intent to gain a benefit from it. These crimes typically involve some form of deceit, subterfuge or the abuse of a position of trust, which distinguishes them from common theft or robbery.

How do I find out if I was remembered in a will?

Sep 24, 2013 · You can also go online/to the court and look @ the file under your case # to see when the matter was reportedly settled/dismissed and they may give you some dates/info. You may also file a Grievance with the State Bar of Michigan against your attorney for failure to keep you advised and to promptly distribute settlement funds.

How do you know if a lawyer is scamming you?

Some common signs of a scam include:Payment needs to happen quickly. You can't ask questions or get clarification.It's an emergency. Someone may threaten you or your loved ones.Requests for money usually happen over text, email or phone.The person contacting you is not someone you recognize.Mar 29, 2021

Can you sue someone for conning you out of money?

If someone owes you $10,000 or less, then you can sue in a California small claims court. If you are owed more than $10,000, you can still sue in small claims, but you have to waive any additional amount you are owed.Apr 10, 2021

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

What can you do if your lawyer is not responsive?

If your lawyer still does not respond, you can send him or her a letter explaining the communication problems. If at this point you do not hear anything from your lawyer, you should consult with a legal malpractice attorney.Sep 27, 2018

How can I recover money without proof?

You can file a police complaint against him. or you can send him a legal notice. If he get agreed to pay you the amount then it is OK. otherwise you don't have any option other than going for a police complaint or file a private complaint at court.

What happens if someone sues you and you have no money?

You can sue someone even if they have no money. The lawsuit does not rely on whether you can pay but on whether you owe a certain debt amount to that plaintiff. Even with no money, the court can decide that the creditor has won the lawsuit, and the opposite party still owes that sum of money.Dec 9, 2021

What can I do if someone owes me money and refuses to pay?

Taking someone to small claims court. Does someone owe you money but won't pay up? You can take them to a small claims court to regain your cash (and your temper).Sep 29, 2015

How do you recover money from someone?

Procedure to recover money from a friend legally302 votes. Hi.. ... It is very simple sir. Send a legal notice to him for recovery of money. ... You can file a case under section 138 of negotiable instruments Act ,if the payment which is given by you is not in cash. You should file it within the limitation period.

How do you get someone to pay you back without going to court?

What to Do When a Friend Owes You MoneyHave them step into your shoes- using empathy as a way of getting paid back.Offering a payment plan.Brainstorm together other creative ways to get paid back.Think about going to mediation.Making the tough decision to sue them in small claims court for the money owed to you.Apr 7, 2021

What are good reasons to sue?

Top 6 Reasons to SueFor Monetary Compensation. You can litigate against an entity who has committed some negligent action through which you suffer an injury. ... For Protecting Your Property. ... For Replacing a Trustee. ... For Getting a Divorce. ... For Enforcing the Terms of a Contract. ... For Discrimination and Harassment.

How do I know if my lawyer is good?

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ... Google / Search Engines. ... Yelp. ... The Attorney's Own Website. ... Third-Party Rating Groups.Sep 18, 2014

Will a lawyer take a losing case?

If your case isn't winnable, no lawyer will want to waste your time, or the court's time, pursuing legal action. However, if you have a case where the facts and evidence are in question, but the damages you could recover are high, an attorney with extensive experience in cases like yours might take the case.May 20, 2021

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

What does it mean when your lawyer doesn't call you back?

This is how the practice of law is supposed to work. So often when a lawyer does not return your call for a few days it may simply mean your lawyer is busy getting some important work done in your case or in another client's case. There is nothing going on with your case.May 9, 2018

How long should it take for a lawyer to respond?

A: The lawyer should be responsive to your questions within 24-48 hours after you left a message. If the lawyer is not responsive, perhaps he or she is on vacation and unable to return.Dec 28, 2019

Why is my lawyer not communicating with me?

If you have called your attorney, left messages, sent emails, and you still haven't heard a response, the best course of action is to send a certified letter to his or her office questioning the failure to communicate and informing them that you are prepared to find a new lawyer if the situation does not improve.Mar 29, 2021

Why do you need a lawyer for debt settlement?

Most people have painstakingly acquired their assets over a long time, and losing them breaks their hearts. This is why you need a lawyer to help you navigate the delicate matter of debt settlement. Even when you are threatened with foreclosure by your lender, your lawyer will step in to ensure that you retain your house. Similarly, when the creditors seek to repossess assets such as your car, art collection, or your prized electronic gadgets, your lawyer will use legal means to protect you and ensure that you retain your property. A lawyer can also prevent assets owned by your family members from being liquidated to settle your debt .

What to do if you feel unfairly targeted?

If you feel that you are being unfairly targeted, or that the creditors have breached rules regarding your debt, you may hire a lawyer to sue on your behalf to avoid paying additional fees and penalties.

Why do people get into debt?

Sometimes people get into debt due to unpaid goods or services. If you had borrowed money to help you supply goods or services, you might get into debt if your clients fail to pay. If you exhaust all possible avenues to recover your money, you can hire a debt recovery lawyer to go after the clients.

What is debt settlement lawyer?

A debt settlement attorney assesses your financial standing, debts owed, your income, and your assets. The attorney is then able to correctly determine what you can pay. Armed with this information, the debt settlement lawyer can engage your creditors and negotiate for more favorable repayment terms.

Can creditors look for you?

With mounting debts, it is not long before creditors come looking for you. Some people may even hide to avoid the creditors and delay the debt collection process. When this happens, a creditor may forward your file to a collection agency that is tasked with looking for you and recovering the debt.

What is money laundering?

Definition of money laundering, a crime involving the movement of illicit money and other gains into legitimate channels in order to disguise the money's illegal source and thwart tax officials.

What is fraud and financial crimes?

Fraud and financial crimes are a form of theft/larceny that occur when a person or entity takes money or property, or uses them in an illicit manner, with the intent to gain a benefit from it. These crimes typically involve some form of deceit, subterfuge or the abuse of a position of trust, ...

What is debit card fraud?

Debit and credit card fraud also occurs when an individual has an intent to fraudulently obtain money, goods, or services by using the access card of a cardholder who has not authorized its use. Common examples of credit or debit card fraud include using someone else's credit or debit card without that person's consent, ...

What are the different types of fraud?

In-depth information about fraud in general and definitions of the various types of fraud – such as wire fraud; tax evasion; insurance fraud; and identity theft – plus tips for identifying fraudulent activity.

What are the two types of insurance fraud?

There are two types of insurance fraud: soft and hard fraud. An example of soft fraud is getting into a motorcycle accident and claiming your injuries are worse than they really are for financial gain. An example of hard fraud would be getting into that same motorcycle accident on purpose so that you can claim the insurance money.

What is a writing crime?

A "writing" can include money, coins, credit cards, checks, bank drafts, stock certificates, bonds, wills and deeds. Wire Fraud. The crime of wire fraud occurs when someone voluntarily and intentionally uses an interstate communications device (such as a telephone or the internet) as a part of any scheme to defraud another of property, ...

What is the crime of forgery?

The crime of forgery occurs when, with the intent to defraud, a person executes, alters or publishes a writing without the owner's knowledge or consent. This can also happen if s/he fraudulently makes a writing and holds it out to be the work of another.

What to do if your sister steals from your estate?

If you suspect a sibling is stealing from an estate or trust in which you are a beneficiary, you very likely need the protection of a trust litigation attorney. Unfortunately, sibling theft is an all-too-common occurrence.

What to do if your brother steals your inheritance?

You should consider a trust litigation attorney the moment you suspect a brother or sister is stealing your inheritance or assets from the estate. Often a trust attorney can quickly begin communications with the suspected sibling and/or their attorney, and resolve the theft quickly. The odds of recovering your assets are much higher ...

How to protect inheritance from sibling?

We see this situation every day, and suggest the following: 1) Contact a trust attorney as soon as you suspect a sibling has stolen your inheritance, 2) Allow the trust attorney to protect you and handle the situation, 3) Know that we’ve seen many families go through this experience and go on to have healthy, productive, fruitful lives. ...

How long does it take to get your assets back?

The short answer is “yes, you can expect to get your assets back.”. At RMO, we have typically been able to recover stolen assets in six to twelve months, but sometimes sooner, in as little as 30 days. In many cases, the sibling who stole the assets will return them voluntarily after receiving a demand letter from an attorney outlining ...

Can a sibling be prosecuted for theft?

As a victim, you do have the option to make a criminal complaint and ask the district attorney to prosecute your sibling, either when you suspect theft, or have proven they stole your assets or inheritance from the estate. ...

Can you send your brother to jail?

While we don’t typically see clients who want to send their sibling to jail, it is a legal option. That said, the threat of criminal charges CANNOT be used as leverage to motivate a sibling who has stolen assets, to return those assets quickly, in your civil probate litigation matter.

Can you get proof that your brother stole?

No. Getting proof that a brother or sister is stealing is not your job. A trust litigation attorney will quarterback the investigation, due diligence and detective work required. Evidence disappears and memories fade, however, so the sooner you contact an experienced trust litigation attorney near you, the better.

2 attorney answers

Hard to say. If you were a business and he stole a coke from you, yes, that is criminal, but, b/c our society values businesses over people, most police departments will say, "this is a civil matter" and do nothing. Good luck with it..#N#More

Scott Richard Kaufman

Hard to say. If you were a business and he stole a coke from you, yes, that is criminal, but, b/c our society values businesses over people, most police departments will say, "this is a civil matter" and do nothing. Good luck with it..#N#More

What happens when a probate case is opened?

Generally, when a probate case is opened, the will is one of the first documents filed and becomes a public record available for anyone to inspect. If you don't want to wait to be notified, you can examine the court records in the case to find the name and contact information for the executor or her attorney or review the will yourself.

What happens before an executor can distribute assets?

Before the executor can distribute any assets from the estate, she must pay any outstanding debts and taxes. This process requires notifying the creditors and waiting a specified time period for them to submit their claims against the estate as well as preparing final income and estate or inheritance tax returns.

What is probate court?

In most states, the court that handles probate cases is called the probate court, but in some states, it may be called surrogate's court or district court. You will most likely need to go to the appropriate court in the county where the deceased person lived.

How long do you have to wait to notify the executor of a will?

In fact, even if you know who the executor is, your best course of action may be to wait a few weeks. One of the executor's duties is to notify every beneficiary named in the will once the will enters probate. If you are a beneficiary, you'll receive notice.

Who is the executor of a will?

The executor is the person named in the will who administers the estate during the probate process, including having assets appraised, paying creditors, and distributing assets to the deceased's beneficiaries. If you know who the executor is, you can simply approach her personally and ask.

Do courts charge a fee to see documents?

While some courts charge a fee for you to see and download the actual case documents, many often provide free access to an index of the documents and to obtain contact information for the executor or her attorney. Some courts offer the option to mail in a form and pay a fee to obtain copies of any documents you want.

How many cases of senior financial abuse are there?

Unfortunately, data gathered by the National Adult Protective Services Association estimates that only one in 44 cases of senior financial abuse are ever reported. Sadly, most abusers are family members, which puts both the victim and any witnesses in a difficult spot.

What is confidential hotline?

Some states even feature confidential 24/7 hotlines for reporting neglect, abuse and exploitation. In any report, whether written or verbal, certain essential information must be included to permit police officers and/or adult protective services staff (APS) to do their jobs. You must name the elder you suspect is being abused ...

Why do seniors depend on us?

Seniors Depend on Us for Protection. If you believe that an aging loved one is a victim of any type of crime , it is crucial to speak up. Reporting it takes the matter out of your hands and enables law enforcement and/or social services agencies to protect the senior in question.

Who called elder abuse the crime of the century?

Carolyn Rosenblatt. Some have called elder abuse “the crime of the century.”. This crime can be difficult to detect and investigate, but one of the few ways to stop an elder from being financially exploited is to report it.

Can you remain anonymous if you are afraid of an abuser?

If you are afraid of the suspected abuser, you may be able to remain anonymous. You will need to identify the location of any suspected actions which appear to you to be abuse, whether they occur at the elder's home in the community or at a long-term care facility where the elder resides.

Do you have to name the elder you suspect is being abused?

You must name the elder you suspect is being abused and provide their home address as well as name the suspected abuser and provide their home address if you have it. You are not required to give your name, but providing it can be very helpful to the experts investigating your claims.

How long does it take to contest a will?

A Will Contest must be filed within three months after the date of the Order admitting the Will to probate by filing an affidavit in the Court alleging (1) unsoundness of mind of the testator, (2) that the Will was executed under duress or was obtained by fraud, (3) the undue (improper) execution of the Will, or (4) any other valid objection to the Will’s validity or the probate of the Will.

Can a will be changed to disinherit siblings?

Sometimes the Will or Trust is changed to disinherit siblings. While a Will or Trust can be changed at any time, they cannot be changed after the maker is of unsound mind or if the maker is under pressure or duress from someone. We can assist with Will Contests.

How to keep your personal information safe?

Keep personal information personal. Use a password vault to keep all your online and computer passwords safe. Lock potentially sensitive files that contain financial information or other personal information that would be devastating in the wrong hands.

What is one thing that people would never suspect they could fall prey to?

We all think some things would never happen to us then unbelievably they do. Sextortion is one of those things people would never suspect they could fall prey to but they do more often than you would think.

What is sextortion in crime?

Sextortion is when someone entices you to perform a sexual act on camera and then blackmails you for money so they won’t expose you to family and friends. It usually starts with someone befriending you online. Often women are hired by organized crime to entice unsuspecting men.

How old are boys when they are sextorted?

According to law enforcement, boys as young as 14 have been victims of Sextortion and the most common age range is between 21 and 30. Some perpetrators hook you in with a chat and then gain access to your computer and all your sensitive data and hold it for ransom.

Is blackmail a felony?

Blackmailing and the Law. Blackmailing is a form of extortion and is considered a felony in the United States subject to fines, jail time, probation and parole. Usually, the offender has to make restitution to his or her victim as part of their punishment.

Is blackmailing a crime?

Threatening to expose embarrassing or shameful images or information about you to your family co-workers, friends or the public is a crime, and you have rights. Blackmailing laws differ by state so if you fall prey to a sextortion scheme, find out how your state law can help protect you.