what is a reasonable tineframe for a lawyer to issue a refund

by Prof. Vada Cummings 9 min read

Your refund should be paid within 14 days of your return being received – and it should also include a refund of the standard delivery cost. This applies to items you buy and also services you sign up for. Can a company refuse a refund? Retailers don’t always play ball, even if you’re within your rights.

Full Answer

Is it legal to ask for a refund on an item?

Jun 26, 2017 · Content legal strategist at TermsFeed) While the U.S. does not have federal laws affecting returns and refunds, it's still a good idea to have a Return & Refund Policy. U.S. state laws do not require a Return & Refund Policy either but under certain circumstances, you will need to post this policy conspicuously in your storefront or through ...

What do you need to know about return and refund laws?

Feb 22, 2019 · Massachusetts. A seller's refund, return, or cancellation policy must be disclosed to the buyer clearly and conspicuously before the transaction is completed. This is usually done by means of a sign at the point of purchase. Goods may be returned within a reasonable period of time if no return policy was disclosed.

What are the consumer rights for a refund?

Client-Lawyer Relationship. (a) A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses. The factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following: (1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the ...

Do lawyers have to reimburse clients for stealing?

Apr 10, 2015 · Where the circumstances permit, but do not require, the attorney to cease representation, the withdrawal is considered voluntary.The circumstances under which an attorney may withdraw mid-case include: the client is refusing to pay the attorney for his or her services in violation of their fee agreement. the client is refusing to follow the ...

What is reasonable response time for a lawyer?

within 24-48 hours
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

What are the 14 states with consumer laws around Refund?

If “the buyer's billing address or event is in one of 14 states with consumer laws around refund” then the customer still can receive a refund. That includes includes California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia.Apr 1, 2020

Why do attorneys take so long to respond?

Once a case gets filed in court, things can really slow down. Common reasons why a case will take longer than one would hope can include: Trouble getting the defendant or respondent served. The case cannot proceed until the defendant on the case has been formally served with the court papers.May 28, 2020

Are refund policies legally binding?

Your Return & Refund Policy is a legal agreement that also exists out of maintaining transparent business practices and good customer relationships. It's a legal agreement with terms binding both you and your customers.Dec 22, 2020

How long does a retailer have to issue a refund?

You must offer a refund to customers if they've told you within 14 days of receiving their goods that they want to cancel. They have another 14 days to return the goods once they've told you. You must refund the customer within 14 days of receiving the goods back. They do not have to provide a reason.

Can a business refuse to give a refund?

Customer Returns and Refunds Under Federal Law

While many retailers have decided this makes for the best business practice, they aren't legally required to accept returns. Rather, retailers are required to accept returns only if the sold good is defective or if they otherwise break the sales contract.
Feb 22, 2019

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your Lawyer
  • I 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.
•
Mar 17, 2021

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

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

Can you get a refund after 30 days?

If it's broken

After 30 days, the retailer can give you a repair or fair replacement, but you're not entitled to a refund.
Jun 24, 2021

Is refunding illegal?

There is no federal or state law that absolutely requires you to accept returns, make exchanges or provide refunds without legal justification. Outside of general principles of contract law (i.e. fraud, material misrepresentation, mistake, unconscionable contracts, breach of warranty, etc.)

How long does a consumer have to return an item?

between 28-30 days
If a retailer does have a returns policy, then you'll usually have between 28-30 days to return an item and get a refund or exchange.

Do you have to have a return and refund policy?

Return and Refund Laws in the U.S. While the U.S. does not have federal laws affecting returns and refunds, it's still a good idea to have a Return & Refund Policy. US state laws do not require a Return & Refund Policy either but under certain circumstances, you need to post this policy conspicuously in your storefront or through your ecommerce ...

Does Florida have a refund policy?

Florida. The law in Florida only concerns retailers who will not issue refunds. If your store policy is a "no refunds" policy, Florida statutes require you to clearly state this conspicuously near store entrances or the cashier's station.

Can you refuse returns in Maryland?

Stores can refuse returns if it is specifically stated in the policy.

How long does it take to get a refund in New York?

If a retailer from New York does not provide a Return & Refund Policy, then the retailer is required to accept returns and issue refunds for all merchandise submitted within 30 days of purchase.

Do you have to have a return policy in Ohio?

Ohio. Retailers in Ohio are not required to have a Return & Refund Policy. If the retailer has a Returns & Refunds Policy, it must be conspicuously posted. Putting the Return & Refund Policy on the receipt is not considered adequate because customers only see it after completing the purchase.

Does Amazon have a return policy?

Stores may create as generous or restricted of a Return & Refund Policy as necessary. Amazon has a generous Return & Refund Policy that varies based on merchandise type.

How long does it take to get a refund in Colorado?

Retailers failing this requirement are required to accept full refunds within 30 days of purchase. Colorado.

Do merchants have to accept returns?

While merchants are required to accept returns in only certain situations, some states have laws governing the disclosure of refund and return policies. State refund and return laws are summarized below. For more information, see FindLaw's section on " Product Warranties and Returns .".

How to withdraw from a case?

If the circumstances require that the attorney withdraw from representation, the withdrawal is considered mandatory. Situations that could give rise to an attorney's mandatory withdrawal from a case include: 1 the attorney is not competent to continue the representation 2 the attorney becomes a crucial witness on a contested issue in the case 3 the attorney discovers that the client is using his services to advance a criminal enterprise 4 the client is insisting on pursuit of a frivolous position in the case 5 the attorney has a conflict of interest or cannot otherwise continue representation without violating the rules of professional conduct, and 6 the client terminates the attorney's services. (Learn more: How to Fire Your Attorney .)

What is voluntary withdrawal?

An Attorney's Voluntary Withdrawal. Where the circumstances permit, but do not require, the attorney to cease representation, the withdrawal is considered voluntary.The circumstances under which an attorney may withdraw mid-case include: there has been a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship that prevents the attorney from effectively ...

How long does it take to file a complaint with a credit card company?

Consumers can file a dispute with a card issuer within 60 days from the receipt of the credit card bill. The charges in question must be over $50. Consumers must submit their complaints in writing to the card issuer, except for stolen or lost credit cards.

How long does it take to dispute a credit card charge?

In layman’s terms, this act allows consumers to initiate disputes for credit card charges, but under the following conditions: Consumers can file a dispute with a card issuer within 60 days from the receipt of the credit card bill. The charges in question must be over $50.

What are the rights of consumers?

Kennedy and his speech to the United States Congress in 1962, Americans got the Consumer Bill of Rights, with the original four rights: Solve My Problem. Get Started. The right to safety. The right to be informed. The right to choose. The right to be heard.

What is the cooling off rule?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) devised the so-called “Cooling-Off Rule” that deals with buyer’s remorse, but it has a limited scope. It applies only to sales made at home, workplace, dormitory, or the seller’s temporary location (such as hotel room, convention center, restaurant, etc.)

When was the Fair Credit Billing Act passed?

Fair Credit Billing Act. This federal law was introduced in 1974 as an amendment to the Truth in Lending Act of 1968. The Fair Credit Billing Act is an invaluable legal resource for fighting unfair billing practices and billing errors for credit cardholders.

What is the Virginia Consumer Protection Act?

Virginia Consumer Protection Act. In most listed states, if the merchant doesn’t visibly present their Return & Refund Policy, customers are entitled to compensation in a reasonable time.

What to do if you lost money because of a lawyer?

If you lost money because of the way your lawyer handled your case, consider suing for malpractice. Know, however, that it is not an easy task. You must prove two things:

What to do if you are not satisfied with your lawyer?

If you're not satisfied with your lawyer's strategy decisions or with the arguments the lawyer has been making on your behalf, you may even want to go to the law library and do some reading to educate yourself about your legal problem.

What to do if your lawyer doesn't work?

If that doesn't work, as a last resort you may need to sue your lawyer in small claims court, asking the court for money to compensate you for what you've spent on redoing work in the file or trying to get the file.

What is the agency responsible for licensing and disciplining lawyers?

Every state has an agency responsible for licensing and disciplining lawyers. In most states, it's the bar association; in others, the state supreme court. The agency is most likely to take action if your lawyer has failed to pay you money that you won in a settlement or lawsuit, made some egregious error such as failing to show up in court, didn't do legal work you paid for, committed a crime, or has a drug or alcohol abuse problem.

Does the state bar reimburse clients?

But all states except Maine, New Mexico, and Tennessee do have funds from which they may reimburse clients whose attorneys stole from them.

Can you sue for legal malpractice?

If you want to sue for legal malpractice, do it as quickly as possible. A common defense raised by attorneys sued for malpractice is that the client waited too long to sue. And because this area of the law can be surprisingly complicated and confusing, there's often plenty of room for argument.

Why is my lawyer not returning my calls?

Reason #1: Your lawyer isn’t returning your calls. Lack of communication is a big problem for some law firm clients. Yes, legal practices are very busy. They have lots of clients — not just you. However, before a lawyer signs on to take your case, they need to know if the firm has the capacity to handle it. There’s no excuse for not returning phone ...

Is lack of communication a problem for lawyers?

Lack of communication is a big problem for some law firm clients. Yes, legal practices are very busy. They have lots of clients — not just you. However, before a lawyer signs on to take your case, they need to know if the firm has the capacity to handle it.

Do lawyers have to be busy?

Yes, legal practice s are very busy. They have lots of clients — not just you. However, before a lawyer signs on to take your case, they need to know if the firm has the capacity to handle it. There’s no excuse for not returning phone calls or emails within a reasonable amount of time.

What do you need to know before hiring a personal injury lawyer?

Before you hire an attorney, you’ll sign a contract that sets forth the lawyer’s fees. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they get paid a percentage of the damages you receive. However, they’re also going to charge you for additional expenses that come up while the case is in process.

What is the duty of a lawyer?

Your lawyer has a duty to pursue your legal action with zealous representation. That’s legal-speak for the concept that the lawyer should do everything that’s reasonably feasible to advocate for, or represent, their client.

What is zealous representation?

Your lawyer has a duty to pursue your legal action with zealous representation. That’s legal-speak for the concept that the lawyer should do everything that’s reasonably feasible to advocate for, or represent, their client. Almost every law student is taught about zealous representation in law school, but some might forget or become less motivated as the years go by.