Advice needed on Lawyers

[chasnik 0]

Ok I have a lawyer. My question is if I fire this lawyer and still owe him money can that affect the outcome of my case. We had him paid up, then I sent several email questions and now all of a sudden I owe almost 600 again. The answers to one of the questions was Im not sure, and the other was no. I dont think that constitutes 600 worth of answers. But I also do not want to make waves in my case. Any suggestions, experience, general input greatly appreciated.

[TimsDaisy 0]

If you mean, can he call USCIS/DOS and say "so and so didn't pay me, so why don't you lose his papers" - no, that's can't happen.

If you dispute a charge and want to terminate representation, the lawyer (in most every state) MUST give back ALL case materials and if he wants to, come after you for the money in some other way. A lawyer MAY NOT retain client matierals as a way of forcing payment (no holding your stuff hostage).

When you first engaged this lawyer, were you given a clear, understandable statement of fees? How much you would owe for what services?

Again, a lawyer doesn't have a special hotline to the government to mess with your case. And if the lawyer tries to sit on your materials and force payment, that's a fast ticket to disbarment in most jurisdictions.

In what US state does the USC live? Contact the state bar in you area - there should be someone you can speak with regarding a dispute that can either help resolve the matter or, if need be, provide you with the form or the instructions on how to file an official complaint against the attorney.

Don't let him scare you just because he has a law degree. Lawyers bully because they can and most people defer to them, whether they deserve it or not.

[chasnik 0]

Im in Georgia the lawyer is in Tennessee. Ive looked at my papers he gave me last year the first time I filed. Nowhere in it does it say I will be charged 200 for reading and answering an email. There is something in there about phone consultation but as he never returns phone calls I dont have to worry about that. I dont have a problem with paying him, I just honestly dont have the money right now as we werent expecting it, but didnt want to mess things up.

[TimsDaisy 0]

Why would you pay for something you didn't agree to pay for? If the letter provided to you detailing his fee schedule does not seem to mesh with what is currently being charged, speak up.

And if your lawyer has hinted at or gives you the feeling like he is the sort would would even CONSIDER trying to muck with your case if you don't pay on time, fire him and find a new one. Period.

I'm presuming he is licensed to practice in the state of Georgia? Otherwise he probably has a few other problems to take care of as well, unless GA and TN have reciprocity agreements.

[chasnik 0]

Thanks, yes he is liscensed here in Ga. He hasnt came out right and stated this, but sort of an inbetween the lines feeling I get. This is the first time I havent paid him asap, but honestly 600 for emailed answers... seriously thinking of foregoing the lawyer all together. Not like he has helped anything really and I have paid over 3000 in fees so far. Single mom and fiance in a poor country do not = up to megabucks. Any way thanks for the help!!!