why is my lawyer cheating me

How to Know If My Lawyer Is Cheating Me They seem too good to be true. If your lawyer seems like they’re trying to sell you something or take advantage of your situation, it could be because they’re not telling you everything.

Full Answer

How do you deal with a lawyer who has too much money?

If that’s the nature of the problem, the best way to deal with it is to call the lawyer, tell her that your legal expenses have been running higher than your budget, and ask if you can talk to her about ways you might be able to streamline things.

Do lawyers charge a lot of money?

In regards to (not response to) Ethan Stone’s comments: Yes, lawyers charge a lot of money and yes running a law practice is expensive for the lawyer and accounts for some of that cost. And yes, lawyers still make piles of money, true.

What happens if you don’t pay your lawyer?

The real problem you face is that someone out there will be willing to pay your lawyer the amount of money he/she wants to be paid to do the same work you need. If you are not willing to pay the lawyer will just move on to someone who is so it’s a no win for you if you want an ongoing relationship.

Why do lawyers Bill you so much?

Lawyers will bill you for work they do over due to their mistakes, bill you for every possible minute they can as long as they feel you have money to pay them, truly terrible, money hungry people. I hope through out my days I never have the need for such individuals.

What do you do if your lawyer cheats on you?

If you believe that your attorney acted unethically, you should consider filing a complaint with the State Bar. You can complete a complaint form online or download a PDF complaint form from the State Bar's website.

Do lawyers cheat their clients?

Yes, some lawyers lie, cheat and deceive their clients. But they are the exception, and an embarrassment to most lawyers.

How do I know if my lawyer is cheating me?

Dennis BeaverThe attorney does not return phone calls in a reasonable amount of time, and;In a meeting with the client, if the lawyer is being very short, taking phone calls, trying to re-schedule, not giving enough time to the client, does not listen, ignores what is asked or is not answering questions.

Can lawyers lie to you?

The American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct states that a lawyer “shall not knowingly make a false statement of material fact.” In other words, lawyers aren't supposed to lie--and they can be disciplined or even disbarred for doing so.

What is it called when a lawyer overcharges you?

Examples Of Overbilling While the act of overbilling can simply be a lawyer overcharging for services, there are numerous ways this can occur, for example: Padding a bill: This occurs when a lawyer lies about how much time was spent on a matter. By overstating time spent, the bill becomes inflated.

Can a lawyer ask for more money?

Despite this, lawyers often tell their clients they are entitled to a “bonus” over the agreed-upon fee because the matter has become more difficult than expected or because of an unexpectedly favorable result. It is common for such a lawyer to “negotiate” the increased fee in the middle of an engagement.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

How often should I hear from my attorney?

There is no set formula for how often you will hear from your attorney. However, the key to a successful attorney client relationship is communication. Whenever there is an important occurrence in your case you will be contacted or notified.

Can you sue a lawyer for not doing their job?

A claim of malpractice may exist if your lawyer exhibited negligence in your representation. If your lawyer's negligence caused you to suffer harm or a less advantageous outcome or settlement in your case, you may have a claim to sue your lawyer for professional negligence.

What happens when an attorney lies?

In addition to possible State Bar discipline for violating these rules, B&P section 6128 provides that a lawyer is guilty of a misdemeanor when a lawyer engages in an “any deceit or collusion, or consents to any deceit or collusion, with intent to deceive the court or any party.” The punishment for a violation of B&P ...

When lawyers lie to their clients?

The rules of legal ethics in most states require attorneys to be honest and to be able to do their job at a certain level of competence. If you feel that your legal representative has lied or misled you, or is performing their duties at a level below that of a competent attorney, you may want to file a lawsuit.

How do you spot a liar in court?

First of all, liars have difficulty maintaining eye contact with the person asking the questions. If the witness looks up at the ceiling while thinking of an answer, or looks down at the floor, they are liying every time. When a witness covers his mouth with his hand, he is about to lie.

How to ask your lawyer about a civil case?

You can also ask him to explain the specific sections under which he is filing the case. For civil cases, you will need to consider the Limitation Act, 1963, which lays down the period within which a civil case is required to be filed, otherwise the court will not entertain your case. You can look up this information on the Internet or ask your lawyer to show you the section that is relevant to your case.

Is not appearing before court a malpractice?

Not appearing before the court on a given date of hearing is also a malpractice on the part of the lawyer. He can withdraw from a case only after he has given sufficient notice to the client. “However, instead of appearing himself, he can send his junior to argue the case though he must ensure that it does not compromise the interest of the client,” says Aakanksha Joshi, senior associate with law firm, Economic Laws Practice. Apart from this, your lawyer must treat your case confidentially and not divulge it to a third party.

Can an advocate be held liable for delay in filing a case?

In 2011, the NCDRC held that an advocate cannot be held liable for delay in filing a case unless mala fide intent has been proved. So, it is your responsibility to ask the lawyer to file it within a reasonable time. “Though one cannot precisely define ‘reasonable' time, a lawyer can be held liable if he does not file a case for several months. In such a situation, he must refund the entire fee he has received in advance from the client,” says Khatri.

Can a lawyer be held responsible for the outcome of a case?

The NCDRC has stated that a lawyer cannot be held responsible for the outcome of the case , but if there is a deficiency in his services, the client can proceed against the lawyer under the CPA since lawyers charge a fee for the services they render. “I was not sure if a body that represents lawyers (Bar Council) would support me, so I approached the consumer courts,” says Gandhi.

Wesley Kent Hill

I am curious about something. If you know this forum is answered by lawyers and you have no proof (yet alone a numerical allegation) do you think you will find a sympathetic audience? Please provide how you are being "cheated" and perhaps an answer may be found for your situation.

Chad Guevara Boonswang

Here is a link to fee arbitration in your state.... http://www.gabar.org/programs/fee_arbitration/

Christian K. Lassen II

Your post does not say why it is that you feel that you've been cheated on your settlement. Any settlement distribution would, most likely, have to be handled consistent with the retainer agreement you had with the lawyer, and take into account any liens that the attorney may be required to honor under the law.

How to be sure a lawyer is a good fit for my business?

Really, the only way to be sure is to get the fee negotiated right up front for what you want done . If you are selling/buying a business, assets, shares, etc. agree to a percentage of the total cost you are comfortable with (not too much now If your lawyer won’t play ball on that then you need to find one who will.

How to tax a lawyer's bill?

In many jurisdictions there is a method in place to “tax” a lawyer’s bill. The client submits to a taxation officer who then reviews the lawyer’s bill. It is a common occurrence that the bill is then reduced. That is the best method to proceed but you will likely not get that lawyer to do any work for you in the future.

Who uses legal billing guidelines?

Insurance companies are probably the biggest purchasers of legal services and they have been using Legal Billing Guidelines for years. Large companies also use Legal Billing Guidelines. They use them because they work.

Do lawyers stick together?

Regarding the comment about lawyer’s sticking together, while that might always not be true, it is certainly true with settlement proceeds, sale proceeds, etc. No lawyer will ever agree to have the settlement proceeds paid directly to the client because then they might not get paid. And, as a courtesy most lawyers will pay the settlement proceeds to the plaintiff’s lawyer in trust. That is a battle you will never win.

Do lawyers make money?

And yes, lawyers still make piles of money, true. The real problem you face is that someone out there will be willing to pay your lawyer the amount of money he/she wants to be paid to do the same work you need. If you are not willing to pay the lawyer will just move on to someone who is so it’s a no win for you if you want an ongoing relationship.

Should legal services be billed?

Every company that purchases legal services should have Legal Billing Guidelines that outlines how the company can be charged, and this suggestion applies even more so to companies that hire big law firms.

Is overcharging a state of mind?

I agree, at least in part, with all that is said. One critical thing to remember is that “overcharging” is a “state of mind” … let me elaborate … it depends on what you want, the value of that item to you, and how it is delivered. Often, because the work-product is a written document, people don’t put the same value to it as a gadget they can touch and feel.

How to tell if a lawyer is good?

As you’ve been reading this, perhaps you’re wondering, “I can tell my lawyer sucks, but how can I spot the signs of a good lawyer?” Here are five signs you’re dealing with a lawyer you can trust: 1 Responsive to your needs: a lawyer that is available for your questions, and proactively updates you on case developments 2 Transparent in decisions: a lawyer that readily provides both the detail and “why” behind each decision and fee. 3 Beyond reproach with the law: you should never have the slightest doubt your lawyer is working against the law. Instead, your lawyer should be able to demonstrate your rights, the law and their actions, every step of the way. 4 Personally invested in your case: you need a lawyer that truly cares about your freedom and the outcome of your case, not just a payday from your wallet. 5 Well respected in the legal community: your lawyer should command the respect of the court, community and clients alike.

How do you know if you have a lawyer you can trust?

Here are five signs you’re dealing with a lawyer you can trust: Responsive to your needs: a lawyer that is available for your questions, and proactively updates you on case developments . Transparent in decisions: a lawyer that readily provides both the detail and “why” behind each decision and fee.

What is the rating of Thiessen Law Firm?

With at 10/10 rating from the AVVO, we’ve helped our clients beat charges ranging from misdemeanor assault all the way to intoxication manslaughter.

What does it mean to be respected in the legal community?

Well respected in the legal community: your lawyer should command the respect of the court, community and clients alike.

What does it mean to win a jury trial?

Lack of Enthusiasm for Your Case. Winning over a jury means presenting a thoughtful case with logic and conviction. If your lawyer seems unenthusiastic or wishy-washy when they’re speaking to you, imagine how a jury is going to react to them presenting your case.

What happens if you see fees that don't make sense?

If you see fees that don’t make sense, aren’t accurate or that your lawyer can’t clearly articulate what you’re being charged for, you have every reason to fire them and hire new counsel.

What does it mean to win over a jury?

4. Lack of Enthusiasm for Your Case. Winning over a jury means presenting a thoughtful case with logic and conviction.