Should i fire my divorce attorney

Attorney Bikel is a frequent commentator on high profile divorces for national and international media outlets. To connect with Dror: For media inquiries or speaking engagements: [hidden email]. Blog Welcome. Practice Areas. About Our Firm. Your Legal Relationship May Be Salvageable Often the first sign that your attorney is no longer a good fit is a lack of communication.

There are other situations that clients sometimes find annoying or upsetting, which by themselves do not mean you should make a change: Your attorney sometimes has a legal secretary, assistant, or paralegal call you. You want your attorney to stay focused on the big issues and to use their skills to your advantage.

As an important client, you do warrant frequent direct calls from your lawyer, but it's in everyone's best interests if the law firm staff can handle the less complicated matters.

Your attorney is cordial with your spouse's attorney. Attorneys are co-workers, and there are a select few skilled attorneys handling high net worth divorces.

Sometimes, attorneys fire clients, too. It depends on the circumstances, but an attorney can fire a client just like a client can fire an attorney. Usually, when we get out of case, we do so for specific reasons. A little while ago, another attorney told me about a case he had to get out of.

He was working with his client on a custody case, but his client was insisting that he lie to his ex wife. He was planning on accepting a job out of state, but his ex wife was also planning on relocating. Rather than negotiating an agreement that would allow both of them to relocate, he insisted that his attorney tell his ex wife, who was not represented by an attorney, that he was proposing an agreement in her best interests that would allow her to relocate.

The agreement the client wanted would have been vague and deliberately misleading. The short answer, again, is yes—an attorney can fire a client. I know, I know. After all, can you afford to keep the lights on if you work for free? When can an attorney get out? It all depends on the case. Here are 6 reasons you may want to consider firing your divorce lawyer:. You are pawned off to associates and paralegals: You initially meet with a lawyer referred to you by a friend or colleague.

He or she has great on-line reviews, a beautiful office and is highly experienced. The problem is that this attorney is a firm rainmaker, but not actively involved in the day to day happenings in your case. Unfair billing practices: Larger firms with multiple levels of hierarchy on your case administrative staff, paralegals, associates and partners can result in double and triple billing for matters.

Watch out for double charges for attorneys speaking to each other in conference about your case. Or being charged higher hourly rates to support the huge overhead of the firm rather than being based upon the specialized skill and experience of the attorneys. Having the highest hourly rate does not translate to being the best and most skilled attorney for your case. Poor communication: Family law matters, especially ones that include parenting and custody issues, can be time-sensitive.

If your legal representative is causing conflict, then replacing them could save you money in the long run. Although having to fire your lawyer will be uncomfortable, it makes sense to do it right if you have decided to terminate the relationship.

These tips will help you make a better decision and still be in a good position for a positive outcome in your case. Where necessary, you may also consider the benefits of non-litigation methods of dispute resolution such as mediation.

It can be a great alternative to the pressure-cooker environment of litigation and can provide longer-lasting benefits overall. If you would like to understand more about the next steps you can take after firing your attorney or how mediation can help, please get in touch with us. Talk to Ken S. How do you know a bad lawyer? How to fire a lawyer nicely in 5 steps. Follow these steps in terminating your relationship with your attorney:. As a rule, you should do the following in your letter: Include a short and formal statement informing the attorney that you would no longer be needing their services.

You do not have to include a reason. Request that the attorney stop work on all pending matters Request that your files be returned to you immediately.

The files should include any letters you wrote to the attorney instructing them on your case, documents or exhibits you made available to the attorney and other documents or information personal to you. These files legally belong to you and you are entitled to recover both originals and photocopies.

If you paid a retainer, you should demand a refund of any unearned fees Request an itemized bill of charges outlining all fees and expenses that are outstanding, if any. What happens if your case was on a contingency basis or if you still owe fees? How to get the Lawyer Retainer back! Follow these steps if you are in this situation:.

Link to an article that may interest you. Is it bad to switch lawyers? What is the most common complaint against lawyers? Fault of the lawyer or the Overburdened Court System. How often should I hear from my lawyer? Return calls within one business day. Can they realistically cater to your needs. Lawyers may not like one another.

Have Any Questions? Book a Call. View Availability. Related Posts. No-Fault Divorce Canada. December 1st, 0 Comments. Divorcing in Canada the divorcing in Canada Roadmap.