i paid my attorney for my divorce but…..?
my divorce was final 1 yr ago – my attorney had originally told me 00 for the divorce but in the end charged me 50 which is still cheap i guess. my ex was ordered to sell the house, pay it off and pay off another mortgage we had on a diff property, and pay me my half of the settlement – the prob is he paid off the house and paid me but did not pay off the other property, has not made a payment on the property since Jan. 07 and it is now ready for forclosure this is really hurting my credit. when i contacted my attorney he said he wanted another 0 to pursue this – wasnt it his job to make sure this was all taken care of in the first place? I was also court ordered to pick up furniture and some personal belongings but when i went to get them ex gave me a rough time and wouldnt let me in the house i asked the attorney to pursue this also and he said he didnt want to b bothered with purchase drugs online petty stuff!! what are my rights and can i pursue this on my own and how? I live in PA
i did call the police when i couldnt ge my stuff and he was ignorant with them and still wouldnt let me get my stuff – the police told me to call my lawyer (lol) I already paid for my half of the property but have no idea where the money went because he was supposed to have paid it off and didnt – i live in a very small town and all the police, lawyers, etc are all buddy buddy so trying to accomplish anything is hardly worth it – i did call an out of town attorney but they wanted a 00 retainer just to get started!!
Your contract with the attorney was probably to get the decree. Enforcement of the decree is probably separate. If you do not have a written retainer agreement, then ask what you envisioned at the time. Without a written retainer if you expected that the fee would cover whatever enforcement was necessary, and you and the lawyer discussed it, then contact the state bar and complain and let the lawyer know that you intend to sue him for any damages from his failure to seek enforcement of the decree.
This is follow up work and would not have been covered by the original $2250 unless you have a contract stating such.
If your attorney can’t be bothered with your needs, get a new one!
Your ex is in contempt of the court order. I would suggest you file a petition for contempt against him. Use a different attorney this time.
If you had a Court Order in your hand to pick up the stuff, why didn’t you call the Police right there and show them that you had to be there and let them talk to your ex? It would have been worth a try anyway.
Guess you could still try it.
your atty. should have let you know when your 1000.00 was used up.I will say that it sounds like he earned what he charged. your husband is in contempt of court .take the police with you to pick-up your belongings you have it in writing bring the divorce papers with you as proof that he has to let you get your belongings. i am not sure how to get him on the contempt for the unsold property you could always consult another attorney initial consult is usually free. it sounds like your previous atty. does not give a damn about helping you get what is rightfully yours. i am sure the court will make him pay you for your half of the property. why aren’t you making the payments. you could also have put the property up for sale yourself. good luck.