Attorny Fee Dispute

What is the name of your state? new jersey

I am buying a home and agreed to pay an attorney $925 to represent me. He knew it was a very quick closing. I had several problems with the attorney:

1. He concluded attorney review without advising me. Prior to engaging him, I specifically mentioned that I wanted to manage attorney review very closely so I may research various aspects of the property.

2. He was difficult to reach at important times. He returned calls the next day but if I wasn't available at the time he called I lost my opportunity to speak with him that day.

3. When I did reach him he wasn't familiar with key attributes of the contract, such as: who was holding escrow; escrow dates; inspection response dates etc...

4. He knew I was anxious to address elements of the inspection reports but failed to read the inspection reports 24 hours after I requested him to.

5. Upon addressing my concerns regarding the above, he began to yell at me over the telephone.

I am even tempered and non-confrontational. I conduct all business transactions with reason, but refuse to be represented by an attorney who screams at me while unprovoked. He quit when I advised him that I would not be represted by counsel who screams at me.

I have been invoiced for time spent on the contract. While the attorney did some work such as disputing the original contract and such I don't feel obliged to pay the invoice as I feel he was beligerent and uneffective.

My question is how should I handle his invoice. I'd prefer to pay the invoice amount to another attorney to get me out of paying him. What can I do???

Thank You!

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

You're suffering from a severe case of "O.C.S."

Obtain help, immediately!

IAAL

[HomeGuru]

Writer, I would not want you as a real estate client. You are too controlling, demanding and a complainer. Too much hassle all for a measly $900 bucks. No thanks and yes you owe for legal work completed to date.

You didn't respond to my questions exactly as I posed them (controlling). I expect more appropriate answers immediately (demanding). God, I hate attorneys (complainer).

Really, I am just kidding.

I accepted the first rate he suggested and didn't negotiate. If the rate was measly then he shouldn't have proposed it.

I really wasn't hassling him, however, if I am obligated toward contractal requirements and I hire counsel to advise and represent me I expect to SPEAK with the attorney during the contract period and that he be familiar with the contract.

I suspect you are partial to lawyers and are damaging your reputation on this board by such silly posts.

Looking for meaningful advice...

[HomeGuru]

Originally posted by movingguy
You didn't respond to my questions exactly as I posed them (controlling). I expect more appropriate answers immediately (demanding). God, I hate attorneys (complainer).

Really, I am just kidding.

I accepted the first rate he suggested and didn't negotiate. If the rate was measly then he shouldn't have proposed it.

I really wasn't hassling him, however, if I am obligated toward contractal requirements and I hire counsel to advise and represent me I expect to SPEAK with the attorney during the contract period and that he be familiar with the contract.

I suspect you are partial to lawyers and are damaging your reputation on this board by such silly posts.

Looking for meaningful advice...

**A: read your post again.