Attorney's responsibility

[Swakshi]

What is the name of your state? California

I am on social security disability. I am suing my employer for breach of contract for failure to pay me under the long-term disability plan. Since they didn't pay me, I have had to default on all my debts and am receiving help from the state for foodstamps and medical insurance.

I asked my attorney to notify my creditors that they are representing me so I don't get sued. My attorney didn't say anything as whether he did or didn't. Then now he said its my responsibility to tell them what I want them to tell everyone. I just got served a summons by all my creditors and my attorneys still are telling me that its my responsibility to tell them what to do.

Then Welfare wanted to know everything about the suit that i have against my employer. Technically, its none of their business because it doesn't involve them. The welfare attorney told me that its my other attorneys responsibility to respond to welfare and tell them that its not their concern. When i told my other attorneys, they keep telling me that its my responsibility to tell welfare whatever I want.

Is it my responsibility or are they suppose to at least advise me of my options? It just seems to me that they don't want to work.

 

[JETX]

There appears to be some confusion of roles and miscommunication.

1) I assume that you have only hired your attorney to represent your interests in the lawsuit against your former employer, and that is probably under a contingency agreement. If correct, then they have NO basis for involvement in your credit problems and certainly are not your 'do all' attorneys required to respond to all your legal issues. The issue of creditors is clearly beyond the scope of the agreement.
2) If you want your attorney to represent your debtor interests, you will need to clearly communicate that with them. They may require that you sign another agreement and compensate them for their time in this second legal matter.
3) Welfare wants to know the details about your suit against the employer since they might have rights to some (all?) of any award you may receive. Welfare benefits are NOT 'get off free' public support, but intended to HELP you during a time of need. There are often rules for repayment or reimbursement if you win a lottery or a judgment. I would suggest that YOU respond to the questions by welfare...