Reported to Credit Agancy- Options?

[Legionnare]

Washington State.

I recently hired an Immigration Attorney and after an unsuccessful case was left with $10,000 in bills from that Lawyer. I don't have that much money to pay at once, and initially the attorney had agree to allow payments. After losing the case, I switched attorneys in order to appeal. Immediately, I received a letter from my former lawyer requesting I'd pay the balance in full. I requested to continue making payments and was told no. I was also threatened to be sent to a collection agency, and to this day I believe I have been reported at least once.

What are my options? I am not a US citizen, nor a US permanent resident but am working on it and am legally in the country. Please, feel free to share any comments and advice. I believe this attorney I initially hired is behaving unethically and would like to know if I have any options, or If I should simply continue making my monthly payments while I see my credit getting destoyed. I have never refused to pay and have every intention to do so.

[Ladynred]

You think he's behaving unethically because he expects to be paid -- or that he's sending your bill to a collection agency ?? Neither is unethical, 10K is a lot of money and the guy certainly doesn't want to wait 10-12 years to get it either. You can keep sending in your payments, but its not going to stop the collection agency cycle and its not going to keep him from suing you.

[Legionnare]

Originally Posted by Ladynred

You think he's behaving unethically because he expects to be paid -- or that he's sending your bill to a collection agency ?? Neither is unethical, 10K is a lot of money and the guy certainly doesn't want to wait 10-12 years to get it either. You can keep sending in your payments, but its not going to stop the collection agency cycle and its not going to keep him from suing you.

I believe that somebody that tells you "do not worry about it, we'll discuss your payment options later, let's focus on the case" knowing that you don't have any way to pay other than monthly payments (because you clearly mentioned it several times), and then after losing the case tells you "pay me in full, or I won't move a muscle to appeal" and threatens you and sends you to collection, is unethical. Is not about not paying the attorney, is about being told they would take payments and then refuse to do so.

If you don't understand something, please ask. Please don't post such an ignorant comment.

I guess my big mistake was not signing a payment contract beforehand when we both had agreed to it.

[Ladynred]

Look there was nothing ignorant about my response. You wouldn't believe some of the questions we get here !!

While what he did is certainly enough to make you mad, no ethics board is going to nail him for it. Yes, you should have gotten something in writing.. especially when dealing with a lawyer.

[Legionnare]

Originally Posted by Ladynred

Look there was nothing ignorant about my response. You wouldn't believe some of the questions we get here !!

While what he did is certainly enough to make you mad, no ethics board is going to nail him for it. Yes, you should have gotten something in writing.. especially when dealing with a lawyer.

Agreed. Thank you for your time.