Calif
My brother and I paid attorney $3000 retainer in April 2023 to help release a loan and lien from a solar company. My brother who had stage 4 cancer, and I were relieved that the solar problem was in good hands...my brother passed June 6. During this time I didn't have much contact with attorney. I talked to him in Oct. He said he was in the hospital and quite ill. I told him if he couldn't do the job...that was ok...just refund the money. He said he was expected to get better. I talked to him again in Jan. 2024. He said he was very sick back in the hospital and sent me a link to his GoFundMe page. The GoFundMe was made by him in Florida. I asked if he was in Florida. He said yes for cancer treatments. He was in Sacramento when we hired him. I told him to send an itemized statement and a refund ASAP. He started ignoring my calls, messages, and emails. I made complaints to the Bar. And trying to get the Bar's Client Security Fund to help with the $3000. This was a breach of trust...especially given our situation...my brother having a terminal illness and low income seniors. What else can I do to get the money back? File small claims? Press Criminal Charges? It makes it hard when he is across country.
My brother and I paid attorney $3000 retainer in April 2023 to help release a loan and lien from a solar company. My brother who had stage 4 cancer, and I were relieved that the solar problem was in good hands...my brother passed June 6. During this time I didn't have much contact with attorney. I talked to him in Oct. He said he was in the hospital and quite ill. I told him if he couldn't do the job...that was ok...just refund the money. He said he was expected to get better. I talked to him again in Jan. 2024. He said he was very sick back in the hospital and sent me a link to his GoFundMe page. The GoFundMe was made by him in Florida. I asked if he was in Florida. He said yes for cancer treatments. He was in Sacramento when we hired him. I told him to send an itemized statement and a refund ASAP. He started ignoring my calls, messages, and emails. I made complaints to the Bar. And trying to get the Bar's Client Security Fund to help with the $3000. This was a breach of trust...especially given our situation...my brother having a terminal illness and low income seniors. What else can I do to get the money back? File small claims? Press Criminal Charges? It makes it hard when he is across country.