My jurisdiction is: Douglas Co.
My jurisdiction is: WI, Douglas Co.
This past spring I sought out and retained a lawyer. It was a small firm just the lawyer and his secretary/assistant. I went with him because when I spoke with him he seemed genuine, sincere, and understanding of my limited finances. I thought that the whole process would be relatively simple as my exwife and I had physically separated over 2 years ago, and most all seperation of property had already taken place with exception of a couple of rings that she had in her posession and the house that I was still living in, which she wanted nothing to do with, just needed a quit claim. And as far as the rings went I had made arangements with my lawyers office that she leave them there as she did not wish to give them directly to me. During the entire process I had stated that the sooner it was done the better, However it seemed to drag on forever. The minimum waiting period for the completion of a divorce was only 120 days yet he waited until well after that time to even bother setting the date for the fact finding hearing. I then discovered that he had put off the date for the final hearing for another whole month claiming that he needed time to get the paperwork ready. Every time his secretary/assistant would tell me a timeline for something to be done it would take nearly twice as long.The divorce is finally over now though I understand there are still a few small details for the lawyer to finish up. Part of my problem is that I paid $2000 up front plus the $175 filing fee. His claim is that his fee is $200/hr. I have asked several times for some kind of statement so that I can see where I stand with my retainer, as of yet nothing. His claim there is that if i make him go back and see how much time it took that I may end up owing more in the end. Part of my question is this. Does this sound right?? am I being unreasonable? Am I paying his assistant $200/hr for making photocopies of all the documents and mailing them? And also I would like to know why it is that I never recieved any formal notice that my rings had been returned? I had to ask about them and then I was informed by the assistant that they were in a safe in the lawyers office, which is fine I can understant that. but then trying to catch him while he is in is impossible.. Finally I had him.. I found out he was to be meeting with someone in the office on a given day and when I arrived he tells me that no they are not in the office they are at HIS HOUSE!! in his home office safe? What!? ok when can I get them? I ask "I don't know.. we will have to set up a time" he says. Did he bring them with him to the final hearing?? NO! "Oh sorry I completely forgot I will have to call you when I have them in the office." He asked me while I was under oath at the hearing If I was satisfied with how he has represented me.. I said "yes" as far as the representation I have no real complaint other than when he is looking at my file it looks like it is the first time he has seen it.. He couldn't find the marrital settlement agreement actualy asked the judge if he could use the courts copy.. ugh.. though he did manage to find it. but whatever I don't care about that now. However I am NOT satisfied with his conduct.. Someone please tell me am I wrong here??
My jurisdiction is: WI, Douglas Co.
This past spring I sought out and retained a lawyer. It was a small firm just the lawyer and his secretary/assistant. I went with him because when I spoke with him he seemed genuine, sincere, and understanding of my limited finances. I thought that the whole process would be relatively simple as my exwife and I had physically separated over 2 years ago, and most all seperation of property had already taken place with exception of a couple of rings that she had in her posession and the house that I was still living in, which she wanted nothing to do with, just needed a quit claim. And as far as the rings went I had made arangements with my lawyers office that she leave them there as she did not wish to give them directly to me. During the entire process I had stated that the sooner it was done the better, However it seemed to drag on forever. The minimum waiting period for the completion of a divorce was only 120 days yet he waited until well after that time to even bother setting the date for the fact finding hearing. I then discovered that he had put off the date for the final hearing for another whole month claiming that he needed time to get the paperwork ready. Every time his secretary/assistant would tell me a timeline for something to be done it would take nearly twice as long.The divorce is finally over now though I understand there are still a few small details for the lawyer to finish up. Part of my problem is that I paid $2000 up front plus the $175 filing fee. His claim is that his fee is $200/hr. I have asked several times for some kind of statement so that I can see where I stand with my retainer, as of yet nothing. His claim there is that if i make him go back and see how much time it took that I may end up owing more in the end. Part of my question is this. Does this sound right?? am I being unreasonable? Am I paying his assistant $200/hr for making photocopies of all the documents and mailing them? And also I would like to know why it is that I never recieved any formal notice that my rings had been returned? I had to ask about them and then I was informed by the assistant that they were in a safe in the lawyers office, which is fine I can understant that. but then trying to catch him while he is in is impossible.. Finally I had him.. I found out he was to be meeting with someone in the office on a given day and when I arrived he tells me that no they are not in the office they are at HIS HOUSE!! in his home office safe? What!? ok when can I get them? I ask "I don't know.. we will have to set up a time" he says. Did he bring them with him to the final hearing?? NO! "Oh sorry I completely forgot I will have to call you when I have them in the office." He asked me while I was under oath at the hearing If I was satisfied with how he has represented me.. I said "yes" as far as the representation I have no real complaint other than when he is looking at my file it looks like it is the first time he has seen it.. He couldn't find the marrital settlement agreement actualy asked the judge if he could use the courts copy.. ugh.. though he did manage to find it. but whatever I don't care about that now. However I am NOT satisfied with his conduct.. Someone please tell me am I wrong here??
