Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New York

I hired a lawyer to represent me at closing, before I hired him, I asked for his price. He told me the price from 750 to 900 dollars. He never game a retainer, and I was under the impression that he was going to me no more than $900. In the middle of the closing, he told me the fee is 1200 because of all the extra work. I told him I had $900 maximum in mind, I asked to send me a bill. He sent me a bill showing $900 for basic service and $350 for extra service. Extra services include work on the deed; review my hud-1 settlement and wrong taxes listed by the seller. Does the lawyer has a legal right to charge the $350 extra without letting me know I was going to et for those services? I thought this was art of a home closing.


Asked on 2/08/10, 3:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Arnold Nager Arnold H. Nager, Esquire

You are correct. Those services are part of a closing. In addition, if the lawyer's fees were going to be over $1000, he should have given you a retainer agreement.

Don't pay, and, if he persists, file a complaint with the local bar association. Let him know what you will do.

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Answered on 2/14/10, 8:13 am


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