Lawyer Ceased Services Over Unpaid Bill

[Aurelian]

I was order by the court to pay my wife's bills with a monthly stipend. In the course of doing that I fell behind on payments to my lawyer. He will do no further work until payment is made. No problem with that. I sent him a note requesting when will work start again, after a percentage of the bill is paid or the whole thing is paid. He did not answer. Is it customary in this situation to cut contact with the client until the bill is paid?

[seniorjudge]

I was order by the court to pay my wife's bills with a monthly stipend. In the course of doing that I fell behind on payments to my lawyer. He will do no further work until payment is made. No problem with that. I sent him a note requesting when will work start again, after a percentage of the bill is paid or the whole thing is paid. He did not answer. Is it customary in this situation to cut contact with the client until the bill is paid?

Your lawyer is being exceptionally unprofessional.

Write him one more nice letter, clearly and plainly explaining all your concerns.

Tell him if he doesn't answer, the next letter will be to the disciplinary folks down at the state bar association.

Send one copy of the letter certified mail, return receipt requested and the other first class mail.

Keep copies and receipts of everything.

Let me make it clear that a lawyer can stop working for you if you do not pay.

That is not what he is doing wrong.

What he is doing wrong is not telling you your status as a client.

[Aurelian]

Thank you for the response SeniorJudge.

[Aurelian]

Right now I am thinking about weather to fire him or not. Right now I am leaning toward a strong letter and see if he responds (certified and first class). If not a last letter terminating him and contacting the bar association disciplinary review board.

[seniorjudge]

It's totally up to you whether you keep him or not.