Attorney's fees

[Ilinfoplz]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
I had to take my ex back to court for back child support.

The judge ordered my ex to pay attorney's fees.

My attorney had on the court order that his fees were $2000.

I then receive a bill for $5600.

I initially paid a $3000 retainer.

Why was I charged so much if my ex was supposed to pay my fees?

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
I had to take my ex back to court for back child support.

The judge ordered my ex to pay attorney's fees.

My attorney had on the court order that his fees were $2000.

I then receive a bill for $5600.

I initially paid a $3000 retainer.

Why was I charged so much if my ex was supposed to pay my fees?

Because YOU are the one who signed a contract with the attorney. YOU are to pay the attorney. Your ex is to pay you the attorney's fees. YOU can take your ex to court for contempt.

 

[latigo]

As has been mentioned, unless it is otherwise agreed at the outset the client is personally responsible to his or her attorney for services rendered and calculated according to the retainer agreement.

However, it looks to me that there are some other factors that need your consideration. For example:

1. What was your understanding as to the hourly rate that your attorney would be charging you for his or her time?

2. Did the attorney discuss with you the likelihood that the court would award you your attorney fees?

3. Was it expressly understood that he would not be bound, or his charges limited to the amount awarded by the court?

4. Has the attorney presented you with an itemized billing accounting for the time charges?

5. Was he required to submit such an accounting to the court in order for it to assess fees against the other party? How does it reconcile with the billing you received?

6. Did the court arrive at the $2,000 or was it the attorney’s doing?

7. If it was an arbitrary figure set by the court, did the attorney make any effort to dispute it with the court?

8. What explanation has the attorney given you to justify the large discrepancy?

Obviously you are at a disadvantage in contesting the fee charges. And the only practical way you are going to level the playing field is to petition the Illinois State Bar Association in an attempt to have the dispute arbitrated. For information as to how to initiate that process start here:

ARDC* |* How to Submit a Request For Investigation

 

[Ilinfoplz]

My attorney came up with the $2000. He stated that it was fpr the 12 hours @ $150/hr he put into the case and round trip fee of $200 for driving to the hearing. It was put into the court order that my ex had to pay it.

My attorney had told me, prior to the hearing, that I had about $1000 coming back to me from my initial retainer. So in my head I did the math, the $2000 that my ex has to pay + the $1000 from my retainer = $3000 that I gave him at the start. When I called his office after I finally got the court order, 3 months later, I asked his secretary about my refund. She said they would have to audit the case and see if I had anything coming back. After another 3 months they finally got back to me (I was calling every week) and said I had nothing coming back. Then I got the final bill.

 

[latigo]

That is truly outrageous! People like this need to be put out of business.

You must present all of this to the Illinois State Bar Association through a formal grievance against this vulture and a request for fee arbitration. Make the call and they will send you the appropriate forms.

Good luck and please keep us informed.