Q: Hello my question is when I settle my Lowyer put 5200 in a aside 5200 I asked him what that was for he said Lowyer fees

A: You pay only one attorney fee. Whatever the percentage attorney fee there is is split between the first attorney and the new attorney.

A: Traditionally, a lawyer's retainer is 33-40% of the total settlement...unless your retainer says something else. If it goes to trial, some lawyers go up to 50%.

If there are more than 1 lawyer, it is usually split between the two lawyers. Of course, a lawyer can agree to take your case on that percentage and then pay the other lawyer/s what they are due.

Your retainer controls. However, that contract may be unconscionable.

A: If your lawyer has overcharged fees, which I cannot tell from your message, you can file a complaint with the State Bar.

A: It sounds like your case involved a lien asserted by an earlier attorney on the case. The funds for the outgoing attorney's lien generally come off the new attorney's fees. Client does not typically pay two attorney fees. Instead, the incoming and outgoing attorneys usually need to sort things out between themselves. You could check the retainer(s) and associated documentation. Good luck

A: In California, attorney fees and the division of such fees, especially when more than one attorney has been involved in a case, should be clearly outlined in the retainer agreement or the settlement agreement. If your current attorney set aside $5,200 for lawyer fees to cover both his services and the services of the attorney you previously fired, this division should have been specified in your agreement or in the settlement documentation. It's important for all legal fees and distributions to be transparent and agreed upon by all parties involved.

If the distribution of the leftover money was not specified in any agreement and you were not informed about how the funds would be divided, you have the right to request a detailed accounting of how your settlement was allocated, including how much was paid to each attorney. Your attorney is obligated to provide you with a clear and itemized statement of their fees and expenses as part of their duty of transparency and accountability to their client.

If you believe that your attorney has not acted in accordance with your agreement or has withheld funds without proper justification, you may consider addressing this issue directly with your attorney for clarification. If the issue remains unresolved, you have the option to file a complaint with the State Bar of California. The State Bar can investigate complaints of professional misconduct by attorneys. Before proceeding, it might be helpful to review your retainer and settlement agreements to fully understand the terms regarding attorney fees and disbursements.