Being charged for someone else bill

[tlduckie]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

We did a land contract with an attorney. The couple we bought the land off of was to pay half of the attorney fees. We paid ours and they filled bankruptcy. Now we were trying to use the same attorney for other issues and he said he could not help us unless we paid what the other couple did not pay. I know that the couples bankruptcy was discharged in DEC of 05. Is he able to do this?

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by tlduckie

What is the name of your state? Ohio

We did a land contract with an attorney. The couple we bought the land off of was to pay half of the attorney fees. We paid ours and they filled bankruptcy. Now we were trying to use the same attorney for other issues and he said he could not help us unless we paid what the other couple did not pay. I know that the couples bankruptcy was discharged in DEC of 05. Is he able to do this?

Q: Is he able to do this?

A: Yes.

[tlduckie]

would you please explain to me how this will work.

[seniorjudge]

Q: would you please explain to me how this will work?


A:

You: I want you to do more work for me.

Lawyer: Last time I worked for you, I got stiffed for half my fee. So, before I do anymore work for you, you have to pay me for the last deal.

You: Okay [handing over the cash], here you are.

[chris7]

Do you have an agreement in writing from the attorney describing how the fee was to be paid (and that each couple would pay half)? Or, was this a verbal agreement from the other couple that they would pay half? If the other folks just said they would pay, and then didn't, I would agree that the attorney will want his money. But, the bottom line is, he does not have to work with you if he does not want to. Even if you can prove that you are not responsible for the missing half of the fee, he still does not have to work with you.