Is it reasonable for my attorney to charge more to locate my ex before recovering divorce-related funds?

Family Law

Liz

45,212 satisfied customers

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It sounds like you are in a tough spot with your attorney’s additional charges. Let us break down what you can do:

Review Your Agreement. Start by carefully reviewing the written agreement you have with your attorney. Look for any clauses related to additional charges or fees for services such as locating your ex-husband. This will help you understand if the proposed charges are within the agreed terms. (9 U.S.C. § 2)
Discuss with Your Attorney. If you have not already, have a detailed discussion with your attorney about the necessity and reasonableness of the $9,000 charge. Ask for a breakdown of what this fee covers and why it is necessary for your case.
Seek a Second Opinion. Consider consulting another attorney for a second opinion on whether the charge is reasonable. They can provide insight into whether this is standard practice and if the fee aligns with industry norms.
Negotiate Payment Terms. Since the payment plan offered is still high, try negotiating more favorable terms. Explain your financial situation and see if there is room for adjustment.
Explore Alternative Solutions. If locating your ex-husband is crucial, discuss alternative methods or services that might be more cost-effective. Sometimes, private investigators or online services can offer more affordable options.
Consider Mediation or Arbitration. If you are unable to reach an agreement with your attorney, consider mediation or arbitration to resolve the fee dispute. This can be a less confrontational way to address the issue.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

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Hello. I paid a retainer fee of $6,500 to have a lawyer fight for my adjudicated asset, which was sold before the divorce. It was about $120,000, of which $60,000 belongs to me. My attorney checked, and the cash is in the account that was levied by the judge a few years back. Now he is saying my ex-husband has ties to living in Texas and wants to charge $9,000 to try and “locate him” there for the due diligence process. Does this sound right?

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand how concerning this situation must be for you. Can you tell me if you have a written agreement with your attorney regarding the retainer fee and any additional costs?

Yes, I believe so.

Lexi, Chatbot

Have you discussed your concerns about the additional charges with your attorney, and what was their response?

Yes, I have, and they resumed me to a payment plan, which is still a little high.

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the family lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured, they will be able to help with your retainer fee issue.

No.

Liz

Hi there! Welcome to our service. My name is Liz and I've been an attorney for more than a decade, and I am here to assist with your legal concerns. Just so you are aware, our service is a legal information-only site. No attorney-client relationship is formed from our conversation. So I can best help, have you not been able to previously locate your ex?

Liz

It sounds like you are in a tough spot with your attorney’s additional charges. Let us break down what you can do:

Review Your Agreement. Start by carefully reviewing the written agreement you have with your attorney. Look for any clauses related to additional charges or fees for services such as locating your ex-husband. This will help you understand if the proposed charges are within the agreed terms. (9 U.S.C. § 2)
Discuss with Your Attorney. If you have not already, have a detailed discussion with your attorney about the necessity and reasonableness of the $9,000 charge. Ask for a breakdown of what this fee covers and why it is necessary for your case.
Seek a Second Opinion. Consider consulting another attorney for a second opinion on whether the charge is reasonable. They can provide insight into whether this is standard practice and if the fee aligns with industry norms.
Negotiate Payment Terms. Since the payment plan offered is still high, try negotiating more favorable terms. Explain your financial situation and see if there is room for adjustment.
Explore Alternative Solutions. If locating your ex-husband is crucial, discuss alternative methods or services that might be more cost-effective. Sometimes, private investigators or online services can offer more affordable options.
Consider Mediation or Arbitration. If you are unable to reach an agreement with your attorney, consider mediation or arbitration to resolve the fee dispute. This can be a less confrontational way to address the issue.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Liz

45,212 satisfied customers

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