Illinois
I have question about ethical billing by my lawyer and if I am liable for charges
I did not consent to.
In January 2009 I retained a lawyer long distance to help in an estate dispute with a relative. The lawyer said such disputes usually require five hours of his time, and since his rate was $300/hour, I would need to send him a retainer for $1500.00 which I did.
For the next four months, he never sent me any itemized bills or any bills at all, nor did he ever mention payment again. I kept a close watch on my checking account and my check was never cashed. I concluded I had not yet exceeded the five hours predicted.
In mid-June 2009 I get a bill in the mail for $950; the June portion was itemized but another portion (about half the bill amount) was just listed as “previous balance”.
When I contacted his office for clarification, I found that I had exceeded my $1500.00 retainer on April 6, 2009, and now owed $950 more.
My complaint is:
1) I was told the estimated cost of services would be $1500
2) I did not receive any bills, itemized or otherwise, for four months
3) All that time, my retainer check was not cashed so I could not tell if I exceeded it
4) The lawyer never told me I exceeded the retainer. It was not until June that I discovered there was an additional $950 in charges.
Do I have a valid complaint? Am I legally liable for the expenses beyond the retainer amount?
Thank you.
amsinger
I have question about ethical billing by my lawyer and if I am liable for charges
I did not consent to.
In January 2009 I retained a lawyer long distance to help in an estate dispute with a relative. The lawyer said such disputes usually require five hours of his time, and since his rate was $300/hour, I would need to send him a retainer for $1500.00 which I did.
For the next four months, he never sent me any itemized bills or any bills at all, nor did he ever mention payment again. I kept a close watch on my checking account and my check was never cashed. I concluded I had not yet exceeded the five hours predicted.
In mid-June 2009 I get a bill in the mail for $950; the June portion was itemized but another portion (about half the bill amount) was just listed as “previous balance”.
When I contacted his office for clarification, I found that I had exceeded my $1500.00 retainer on April 6, 2009, and now owed $950 more.
My complaint is:
1) I was told the estimated cost of services would be $1500
2) I did not receive any bills, itemized or otherwise, for four months
3) All that time, my retainer check was not cashed so I could not tell if I exceeded it
4) The lawyer never told me I exceeded the retainer. It was not until June that I discovered there was an additional $950 in charges.
Do I have a valid complaint? Am I legally liable for the expenses beyond the retainer amount?
Thank you.
amsinger