Can I get lawyer advice?

[usedtobebear]

I am so frustrated with my lawyer, is this normal? Went to mediation 3 weeks ago, haven't heard from her since. E-mailed her twice last Tuesday, no response, called Wednesday, no response. E-mailed her again on Friday and recieved a response from her assistant that she's been in trial all week and she will print of my e-mail. E-mailed again yesterday and called this morning. No response. I'm getting pissed. I had my house appraised last week, trying to re-finance, need to get something in writing from my husband before I proceed. I want to know wtf it's taking so long to file for divorce and get my paperwork started. Any advice?

I'm about to send her this e-mail but I dont' want to be overly dramatic, but my divorce shouldn't be that hard and why is it taking so fvcking long, and seriously, shouldn't she at least say I'm really busy lets get togehter on this date, I think completely ignoring me is bad, unless this is normal and I'm being way too high maintenance?

Can you please let me know if you are too busy for my case and if it’s best that I find a new lawyer? I am getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of response and communication from you. I feel like when I met with you originally you made it seem like you would be available for questions/concerns and I have reached out to you several times with no response. My situation is incredibly stressful and I feel like you completely ignoring me is only making things worse for me. I’m sure my case is small compared to your work load but I met with you over 3 months ago and I would think by now we would have filed for divorce and have a legal seaparation agreement in writing.

[turtle1120]

Ugh. I hate lawyers. I've had problems with mine too. Is your attorney a sole practioner, or are there other attorneys in the practice? Mine was horrible and always blowing me off too. He would tell me that something would be done by XXX date, and that date would come and go with no word from him. I'd inquire about what was going on, and still get no response. Then I would get a bill for work that he supposedly did, but I never saw!!!!

Eventually I'd had enough, and went to the managing parter with my issues. I actually had to do this more than once. Finally I just said I wanted a new attorney from the office assigned to my case. Is that a possibility for you?

I'm sorry. I know how completely frustrating it is. It's hard enough to be dealing with these issues - they shouldn't be compounded and made more difficult by your own damn attorney!!!!

ETA: My new attorney at the same firm is awesome and very responsive. There's a night and day difference between my old attorney and my new one!

[naeljun]

I had problems with the one I left my attorney to go to. I never heard from her. I still don't know if she entered her appearance as a new attorney on my case. I guess I should find that out.

[usedtobebear]

Aug 28, 2012 9:54:32 GMT -5 mintchocochip said:

Is she a solo practitioner? Often that can happen because she's the only lawyer on each case. That's why it's good to go with a firm, even a small one, because there's always someone who can at least answer you (usually the partner managing the associate if you use an associate).

Yes, I think she is a solo practitioner, Fvck! I hate that I've given her $2000 and I'm sure if I tried to dump her for a new attorney I wouldn't get much of my retainer back from her... UGH!

[usedtobebear]

Aug 28, 2012 10:15:46 GMT -5 mintchocochip said:

Aug 28, 2012 10:14:14 GMT -5 usedtobebear said:

Yes, I think she is a solo practitioner, Fvck! I hate that I've given her $2000 and I'm sure if I tried to dump her for a new attorney I wouldn't get much of my retainer back from her... UGH!

Yeah, honestly this is what you will get with a solo. They don't have time to respond to you right away. My lawyer at a firm was awesome. She even gave me her cell number to call or text if I had a direct question. You might want to look around for a firm.

Well shit, maybe we should put this in the advice for future SO peeps, I really really don't want to start over, we already had 3 hours of mediation x $250 an hour. fvck! I guess I'll give her a few more days... ugh!

[roselis]

I had a solo lawyer and I always heard back within 24 hours. She preferred email because then she could reply in between court cases. On the few times I did call her, she answered or returned my call quickly.
She should be respinding to you in some fashion. Ignoring you is not good. If you don't hear back soon, maybe look for a new lawyer

[StormyDixon]

Aug 28, 2012 9:50:41 GMT -5 usedtobebear said:

E-mailed her again on Friday and recieved a response from her assistant that she's been in trial all week

if she is in trial and too busy to respond to your emails, then assume she is devoting all of her time and energy this this particular client and when your turn rolls around, she will do the same for you