Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    2

    Question Divorce, Does This Seem Right is This Possible

    My question involves a marriage in the state of: Illinois

    I filed for divorce in November, 2010 and at the time I gave the attorney a 3500 retainer, which seemed high since no property or minor children are involved.

    I have met with the attorney on two occasions total: once for the initial filing, the second time was for a one-hour court date resolving temporary maintenance, additionally there have been no phone calls between myself and the attorney. My stb-ex and I are attempting to work out our own divorce settlement and his attorney is the one who goes to court for the monthly status hearings.

    So.. that has been the extent of my contact and/or interaction with my attorney. A couple of months back my attorney sent me a statement and on the statement it had things listed that never happened, example: meetings between him and myself and telephone calls. When I said none of these things happened, his assistant revised the bill but charged an hourly fee for doing so.

    Now comes today. The lawyers assistant called me and said I need to give them another 3500 because they have exhausted the retainer. How is that possible when the lawyer is not even the one going to court for the status hearings?

    My question is first, does this seem right? Secondly, since I cannot afford to hand over another 3500, can I handle the rest of the divorce on my own without a lawyer? If so, what would be my next step?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    387

    Default Re: Divorce, Does This Seem Right is This Possible

    Can't say about the fees as I don't know what the court fees are in IL. If you intend to represent yourself in court, you'd want to research the statutes pertaining to divorce and the associated rules of court as you will be held to the same standards as a licensed attorney would. That information can be found in any law library of an accredited school of law. Some local libraries or court facilities will probably have that information as well.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Divorce, Does This Seem Right is This Possible

    In addition to the 3500, I had to pay the court fees so the 3500 is for his services only.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Divorce: Divorce What Name Do I Legally Have to Use on My Divorce Papers
    By NCBlues in forum Divorce, Annulment and Separation
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-17-2011, 05:55 AM
  2. Changing an Adult's Name: Changing Your Name Based Upon a Divorce Judgment, Years After Divorce
    By 2ubesock in forum Name Change
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-30-2010, 04:07 PM
  3. Property Division: After Everything in Divorce
    By flowers05 in forum Divorce, Annulment and Separation
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-10-2009, 05:59 AM
  4. Divorce: Filing Divorce In Another State With a Pending California Divorce
    By lisa101 in forum Divorce, Annulment and Separation
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-17-2007, 12:47 PM
  5. Divorce: Divorce in REM
    By Dannee in forum Divorce, Annulment and Separation
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 09-25-2006, 07:38 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources