attorney's fee/real estate agent

california, hi i recently put my house up for sale it was sold but during
closing we found out that the house had to go to probate,the agent
started pushing me to get a attorney i told him to wait until i get my
family to gether so he said ok but hurry, two weeks later he set up an
appiontment with an attorney he ask me to go but i said no ,then he
said just go and see what they have to say so i went with him to the
attorney's office, when i got there we went in a room and they started talking about probate and that they were ready to start it, then i said
wait a minute i'am not ready to start probate now! i just came here
because my agent wanted me to i'am going to talk to my family first,
then the lawyer claimed he already received a retainer ,but from who?
i don't know because i never spoke with them before that point.
that was aug 4 2004 now i received a bill from the attorney's for
$708.00 for having a conference with me and the bill says it was for
2 hr's .for one i never ask the agent to get me a attorney and two
he set up the appointment not me, and three i was only there 30 min.
so if i never signed any papers or had any verbal agreement with
them, should'nt the agent or his company (c-21)pay?

thank's for all your help.

[Ladynred]

Why does the house have to go to probate ?
How long ago did the deceased pass away ?

the house has to be probated because it was in me and my moms
name without jt and no will and my mom passed away 11 months
ago.in an earlier post i explained how a mortgage co. refinanced
me and recorded a deed in my name only, later we found out thew a
title search they where wrong and that's how all this mess got
started

[Ladynred]

Did your mother have debts that would have been paid out of her estate ??
I don't know about the lawyer problem - sounds like this real estate agent was acting on his own so he could get his commission and run. Maybe if you hadn't gone to the meeting with him or put your refusal in writing you might be able to fight the bill. You really should consult a lawyer.