How long it takes to get your documents of notice of hearings dated at the courthouse?
How is it, do you stay in line at the district clerk office and get your documents dated or do you just go drop them off and pick them up later?
Thanks
I hired a new lawyer today. She lowered my retainer because she said that my case it is not difficult ... due to issues with my baby's father. She doesn't understand what the other lawyer was doing and why he is charging me nearly $4000 over nothing. When I asked for a billing statement last month he told me not to worry about it because I will not need more than my retainer but after terminating him for neglecting my case for five months he gave me a bill of nearly $4000.
Thanks to everyone for replying to my concerns.
idk--i always thought those things were mailed off--that's what the paralegal is supposed to be for, to handle things like that so the lawyer can be busy doing the things they need to get done...get another lawyer--yours is a slacker.
Hi O.,
I'm sorry for your troubles. I don't know the answer to your question, but based on what you've written I'd write a letter to the bar association and advise your lawyer (in writing) that you are doing so. I would also state in the letter that since he has acted dishonestly you expect a full refund for the services you paid for.
Good luck.
Edit: If you do this, be sure you don't make it sound like you'll send the letter IF you don't get a refund. Be clear that you are sending the letter AND you expect a refund, otherwise it looks like something illegal. :)
Documents can be filed with the district clerk or the county clerk and you simply stand in line and then get the document "stamped". You can also mail them but most attorney's use couriers downtown to get documents "stamped". Regarding the reset of your hearing date, the clerk is correct that the lawyers are the ones who change hearings dates. The court's don't generally do that.
You should contact The Peoples Lawyer - you can find a link to their website at Channel 13.
Not only will they be able to answer this specific question they will be able to provide additional information with regards to your situation.
I would strongly suggest you find a new family attorney to handle your case as it would appear it has woefully been mishandled to this point. Ask friends or family for a referral to another attorney and contact the Texas State Bar to file a complaint against current attorney.
Hi O.,
Get some advice from Legal Aid in your area. It is free- then i would suggest you hire another attorney....... One someone can recommend to you.
good luck and blessings
Apparently I didn't read your post all the way through. The State Board might be a good place to contact.
I am in the middle of a divorce. You can file yourself, they will stamp everything that day. For divorce, it is 61 days for him to recieve notice by server unless he signs a waiver, mine did TG as servers cost, and respond if he chooses. Meanwhile, you or your lawyer hands in the final decree or adjustments before the 61 days are up. If you wait, which I did because I did not get the final over there before the 61 days, the computor will kick out a hearing date and court date on a notice to dismiss if final decree is not agreed on. I had turned it in shortly after the 61 days so I called my assigned Judge's office and the Coordinator got my date moved up and checked that the needed paperwork was there. They cannot advise you on your case or say this needs to be written different. That is where a lawyor or legal comes in or the Judge can say fix it now or reschedule court date. I did subscribe to a legal service to ask questions to clarify what was needed. We chose to be civil as it was agreed that the marriage is over and needed to be cost effective. Probably one of the few things in the marriage we have agreed on. I don't know if this helps. If I am way of base, then I do apologize.I will certainly keep you in my prayers during this difficult time. I truly understand.
You need a new lawyer. He is being unethical in the treatment of your case. If you do not know how to find one, contact your local bar office.
Either your lawyer has too much on his/her plate or is just plain horrible at managing their time. My advice is too seek out a new lawyer. When it is something as important as your child/ren you do not want some jerk messing it up. When your lawyer's paralegal types of the paperwork, he/she or your lawyer files it at the county clerk's office and the clerk then issues a court date. Your ex has to be served in order to comply with due process laws, otherwise the whole case can be thrown out. When having them served I recommend having the police serve them. That would be my advice, but remember ** Legal Disclaimer** I am not a lawyer so you should seek the advice of one :) But this is from my personal experience!
