lightseeker
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? MD
My divorce was finalized in March of 2004. It was a simple divorce case with both parties’ full cooperation. I went to my lawyer with a draft agreement which was the product of many mediation sessions. My lawyer asked for a retainer of $1000 and I paid, even though there really wasn't very much to do except filing the paper work.
Shortly after my divorce, my attorney told me that the QDROs will be filed next and the work was contracted out to another lawyer who specializes that type of work.
By May 2004, I decided to call and find out about the QDRO work. I called and left messages several times, but no return calls. Finally, in June I received a phone call from one of the partners informing me that my lawyer had left the firm, but she was going to see that my QDROs get filed. I got several bills (in addition to the retainer since by then, it was used up somehow) from both the contracted lawyer and the firm that handled my divorce. I paid dutifully.
When the bills stopped, I thought all was done. This past March, my ex informed me that he's moving out of the country. I thought perhaps i should call my lawyer to verify that all work are done and case closed. I started leaving messages every two or three days, for over 3 weeks, I did not receive any calls back. I finally called the contracted lawyer to find out about my QDROs and she told me that she closed my case in June 2004 because she could not get the information she needed from my primary lawyer to proceed. I called my primary lawyer back and left an angry message, few days later, a new lawyer called me and started to work on my case.
That was this April. The new lawyer called my ex's lawyer for some information, my ex's lawyer started delaying things claiming she had the info but not send them for weeks. Meanwhile, I am getting charged again. So far, I've paid another $1000+ for these simple QDROs and they are still not filed! Not only the lawyers left my interests exposed, they are charging me for work that should have been completed a year ago!
What can I do?
My new lawyer convinced me to file a petition against the opposing attorney to force her respond to requests. I signed, then I realized that the petition is really filed against my Ex, that is not what I want. He did not know about his lawyer's delays. I asked to cancel the petition, but my lawyer seems to ignore my request. Now I receive a notice to appear in court in August. What should I do for this?
I just want all this to end. Is there light at the end of the tunnel??
Please help. Thank you.
My divorce was finalized in March of 2004. It was a simple divorce case with both parties’ full cooperation. I went to my lawyer with a draft agreement which was the product of many mediation sessions. My lawyer asked for a retainer of $1000 and I paid, even though there really wasn't very much to do except filing the paper work.
Shortly after my divorce, my attorney told me that the QDROs will be filed next and the work was contracted out to another lawyer who specializes that type of work.
By May 2004, I decided to call and find out about the QDRO work. I called and left messages several times, but no return calls. Finally, in June I received a phone call from one of the partners informing me that my lawyer had left the firm, but she was going to see that my QDROs get filed. I got several bills (in addition to the retainer since by then, it was used up somehow) from both the contracted lawyer and the firm that handled my divorce. I paid dutifully.
When the bills stopped, I thought all was done. This past March, my ex informed me that he's moving out of the country. I thought perhaps i should call my lawyer to verify that all work are done and case closed. I started leaving messages every two or three days, for over 3 weeks, I did not receive any calls back. I finally called the contracted lawyer to find out about my QDROs and she told me that she closed my case in June 2004 because she could not get the information she needed from my primary lawyer to proceed. I called my primary lawyer back and left an angry message, few days later, a new lawyer called me and started to work on my case.
That was this April. The new lawyer called my ex's lawyer for some information, my ex's lawyer started delaying things claiming she had the info but not send them for weeks. Meanwhile, I am getting charged again. So far, I've paid another $1000+ for these simple QDROs and they are still not filed! Not only the lawyers left my interests exposed, they are charging me for work that should have been completed a year ago!
What can I do?
My new lawyer convinced me to file a petition against the opposing attorney to force her respond to requests. I signed, then I realized that the petition is really filed against my Ex, that is not what I want. He did not know about his lawyer's delays. I asked to cancel the petition, but my lawyer seems to ignore my request. Now I receive a notice to appear in court in August. What should I do for this?
I just want all this to end. Is there light at the end of the tunnel??
Please help. Thank you.