Janesville, WI asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia

Q: What do I do in this situation.

My divorce case was settled months ago and the other party was ordered to pay my legal fees “directly to the firm” not through me for reimbursement. The other party refuses to pay and will not tell me their new address. I am being billed over $500 and counting just for the firm communicating within themselves as well as with the other party, not me, about filing for contempt on something that I thought was involving the other party and the firm, not myself. Now after I asked why I was being billed because I don't think I should be paying for someone else’s refusal to pay, the firm is telling me I need to pay the entire bill even though the other party was court ordered to pay them “directly”. Every time I try to talk to the firm I either get ignored or billed outrageous amounts without ever receiving any answers, even over billing disputes.

Related Topics:
3 Lawyer Answers
Ellaretha Coleman
PREMIUM
Ellaretha Coleman
Answered
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Licensed in Georgia

A: Your retainer agreement likely still holds you responsible for the billing even though there is an order for the other party to pay. This is pretty common to protect the firm in the case where, like here, the other party is refusing to abide by the order.

Regina Irene Edwards
PREMIUM
Regina Irene Edwards pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Licensed in Georgia

A: Attorneys who bill by the hour are going to charge you for working on your case. That is how it works and probably what your retainer agreement says.

--Regina Edwards | www.EdwardsFamilyLaw.com | 770.854.0777

Homer P Jordan IV
Homer P Jordan IV
Answered
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Licensed in Georgia

A: You are likely being held responsible for any bills with your current attorney, which is standard practice. Then you will need to seek the reimbursement from your ex. -Homer P. Jordan IV, Esq. 404-620-1558

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.