authorize billable hours

[salsi]

What is the name of your state? washington

i had legal proceedings filed against me by my crackhead exhusband claiming i am an addict, alcoholic and mentally ill. he also claimed that living with me is a mental and physical detriment to our two teenage daughters.

he did this supposedly to get more visitation. i was easily able to prove all his allegations false with chemical dependency assessments, hair follicle testing, psychological evaluations and more. i was plain and simple very forthcoming in proving him wrong and did so easily. he even called child protection services several times and they don't like him much either!

my attorney has been wonderful in trying to move this issue to resolution. but the ball seems to be in my exhusbands court and he seems to want to let this hang to keep his grips on me. I can even document my many attempts (prior to his allegations) at providing consistent and regular visitation (every other weekend and two nights a week). now he only gets the 2nd and 4th weekend.

my question? this has cost me much money. i want to keep my attorney but ask that he

"not work on my case unless prompted by my exhusband and his attorney AND after getting authorization from me for billable hours."

is there any specific language i should use with my attorney or does the previous sentence in quotations work?

it is just that my attorney's prodding to move this forward has only cost me dearly and has been to no avail with my exhusband. I still want to keep my attorney "just in case".

 

[maidao2001]

formal vs informal representation

As long as your attorney is formally representing you your husband and his lawyer are not allowed to talk to you directly - they can only do so through your attorney.

I found out the expensive way the subtle difference between formal vs. informal. I hired a lawyer formally for an issue that was not yet in court - nor was I planning on initiating anything in court. From that point on I could not deal with the other party or the other parties attorney directly. This can cost you a fortune if the other party is just "#$%@~" with you, when his lawyer has to contact your lawyer and then your lawyer contacts you, etc. etc.

Sounds like you are confident with how the system works - I'm not sure how things work with divorce etc. but my understanding, based on the advice of my lawyer is unless you need to face big court issues you don't need to keep a lawyer on retainer. You have been paying your bills on time with your attorney - he will always welcome your business. If not, or if he suggests he may not be able to be available to you I guarantee there are hundreds out there that are ready and waiting.

I have given my lawyer "an advance for future fees to be rendered" (vs a retainer - very different things, often mis-named by attorneys too!) so if I do need his advice, or I am faced with a court proceeding he will provide them to me. He's good, honest, likes challenging work or a day on the golf course vs. being paid to babysit (which is something too many lawyers are happy to do). I feel pretty confident what needs lawyer expertise, and what doesn't, (and if not, I check it out first on this forum, like you!) It sounds like you are at the same juncture where you can too. If your lawyer is the cool guy he is, you should be able to arrange the same kind of thing I have arranged with mine.

Good luck! I hope your ex gets his thing together and gives you some peace!

 

[BelizeBreeze]

If I were your attorney I'd deposit your 'request' in the round file and dump you as a client.

 

[maidao2001]

Only one way for you

Belize Breeze

Lucky for us both you aren't the only attorney in the world and I'm not the only client. You give great advice, some of it to me in a very straightforward, non-judgemental manner. Why get nasty when I suggest something you don't like or agree with?

Lawyers provide services, in a variety of styles - "miserable" or otherwise. Our economic system allows for free competition. There are tons of lawyers to choose from. In response to "Just because I'm miserable, doesn't mean I'm not right....."
What's right for you clearly is not what's right for my attorney.

If your lawyer/client relationships work for you, why begrudge alternative arrangements and the discussion of them? Do they threaten you in some way?

Salsi -

I apologize for using your forum posting to defend myself - I think this guy's medication must be wearing off again....

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Belize Breeze

Lucky for us both you aren't the only attorney in the world and I'm not the only client. You give great advice, some of it to me in a very straightforward, non-judgemental manner. Why get nasty when I suggest something you don't like or agree with?

And what was nasty about my advice. I told you in a very straightforward way that I would not put up with the conditions you place on my work.

Lawyers provide services, in a variety of styles - "miserable" or otherwise. Our economic system allows for free competition. There are tons of lawyers to choose from. In response to "Just because I'm miserable, doesn't mean I'm not right....."
What's right for you clearly is not what's right for my attorney.

and when you suggest your attorney ask Your permission to bill you come back here and give us his/her answer.

If your lawyer/client relationships work for you, why begrudge alternative arrangements and the discussion of them? Do they threaten you in some way?

Salsi -

I apologize for using your forum posting to defend myself - I think this guy's medication must be wearing off again....

I suggest you take your attitude in with you the next time you go to the hospital. And before the surgeon operates on you to save your life, tell him/her that you will only allow such if you can get a complete copy of all charges before the operation.