Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Georgia
Attorneys fees
Can a lawyer charge his or her client without the client knowing or giving authorization to do so? I filed for uncontested divorce and it is contested. I paid retainer for uncontested now the lawyer has sent a bill to me for work he has done. Is this legal?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Attorneys fees
In any court case you are only one-half the action. The other side has just as many rights/responsibilities as do you. Your lawyer had no choice. S/HE did not cause the matter to be contested, your spouse did. Your lawyer must respond to what is presented, and if your spouse coverted what you wished to be an uncontested divorce into a contested matter, what choice do you have? Did you want your lawyer to abandon you because your spouse responded? Have a conversation with your lawyer about this and have him/her explain what your options are. You are always free to discharge your present lawyer and handle the matter yourself. You will then find out what real expense is, we suggest.
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