More details to this question:
Hi :) My bankruptcy attorney requested a $3200 retainer from the start, which was paid in full. What was thought to be a be a no-asset case (which is what my attorney originally told me), turned into an asset case, and now that it is over, my attorney is requesting an additional $7500 from me for extra work he did. He is billing me for a meeting with an accountant, he is billing me for time spent talking to the trustee, he is billing me for time spent leaving voicemails for the accountant and the trustee. Is this common and/or reasonable for him to do this? Thank you!
1 ANSWER
I am a bankruptcy attorney. To begin with 3200 is generally about a 1000 more than anyone I know is charging unless there are some extraordinary circumstances. Regarding the asset/no asset delineation, things happen. It is possible that it was your mistake, the attorney's mistake or just something that was uncovered later. Depending on what it was it can have a huge impact or no impact at all on your case. Regarding the other 7500.00, look to your retainer. If it states that he can charge more money for extra unforeseen work, it is likely that he can. However, he will need to report it on the Form 2030 Disclosure of Attorney Compensation. On rare occasions I have had cases that take an enormous amount of time. In those types of cases this manner of billing may be understandable.
Answered on Oct 18th, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Information provided doesn't create an attorney/client privilege nor constitute an offer of services and is only general responses to hypotheticals