Incommunicado Divorce Lawyer

[gtarist62]

I'm going through a divorce, and my divorce lawyer is not returning my calls, emails, etc. There was a hearing yesterday which my wife had to attend (I didn't have to), and my lawyer said she would let me know what happened. It's been 24 hours since the hearing and no word from her, even though I emailed and called her. Meanwhile, my wife is keeping me from seeing our daugher (I haven't seen her in 17 days). My wife said that her lawyer is trying to set up visitation with my lawyer, but my lawyer hasn't been returning his calls. I gave my lawyer a retainer, which she says is non-refundable. Have I wasted my money? What kind of communication should I expect from my lawyer? Should I get weekly or bi-weekly reports? Should I have her cell number?
I feel like she's going to completely screw up my case. I've had a few moments of absolute panic (when my wife emptied out my bank account and I feared she would leave the country), and my lawyer was nowhere to be found.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Gt (florida)

[LawResearcherMissy]

It's not outside the realm of possibility that your lawyer has other clients and duties to attend to. It isn't unusual to place a call to a busy attorney and not get an answer right away.

If you haven't heard back by Monday, call again.

[Mr. Knowitall]

How many times per day are you contacting your lawyer's office? One? Three? Six? Twenty?

[gtarist62]

It's not outside the realm of possibility that your lawyer has other clients and duties to attend to. It isn't unusual to place a call to a busy attorney and not get an answer right away.

If you haven't heard back by Monday, call again.

Missy - wow, I never thought of that. She may have other clients?? Thanks for opening my eyes.

[gtarist62]

How many times per day are you contacting your lawyer's office? One? Three? Six? Twenty?

I'm not some hysterical housewife calling to cry about my spouse's filandering. I call only when I need advice right away. I fully realize that lawyers are often busy with other clients, hearings, etc. I don't call her every day. I've called her maybe 4 - 5 times in the past 4 weeks. The rest of the time I send emails to ask routine questions or provide information. I'm FAR from a pain in her ass. I don't expect her to be there every time I call, but there was one instance where I desperately needed to speak with her (my wife had cleaned out my bank account, and I believed she was going to leave the country with my daughter within 48 hours) and she didn't get back to me for TWO DAYS, and even then it was a message from her assistant telling me "I'm sure everything will be fine."
I needed to hear from my lawyer - you know, the one I handed a big retainer to?
I finally got hold of her three days later and we filed an injunction to keep my wife in the country.
For the record - since I complained to her assistant, my lawyer has gotten better about returning calls. I just felt obligated to answer your message.