How to pay the lawyer bill
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| Thu, 02-23-2006 - 4:24pm |
Paying for divorce.
I left my marriage of 14 years in May because STBX was drinking and not working for 3 years 5 months and I got tired of it.
So I left and filed in August.
I gave lawyer $3500 in credit card checks for a retainer.
I asked how much the divorce would cost and he looked at my aperwork, no kids no house and said I would probably get a refund.
In my marriage my husbands name is on all the money.
In my state I get 50/50 of all assets.
Once I left him I got my pay into my own new bank account.
I bought myself nice furniture for my apartment and went on some fancy vacations.
Then the lawyer started sending bills that I owe money to him.
I am up to 15k. I took a loan against my 401k to pay the lawyer.
Soon I will be unable to pay the lawyer bills.
What are my options?
STBX case information statement shows over 700k in cash and securities, mostly cash. Our life savings in his name

My lawyer sends me an itemized statement for his time. I get charged $250.00 per hour. He charges in increments. For example, if I call him, I get charged for the minutes of time he is speaking with me. I am sure he rounds.
I have a kid and we have a house and assets and debts. I have only given him $3500 and have a credit balance still. Everything is divided and my divorce will be finalized in April.
Do not pay your attorney any more $$$ until you see the complete itemized bill. Ask questions and find out what he has done for you. Seems to me like you should be divorced by now with 50% of the assets.
he sends me itemized bills and is $325 an hour. The bills are itemized and he sure is doing something or other on my dime. sending letters, answering letters, filing with the court. sending more letters
Oh, I know how you feel. It seems like every time I pick up the phone, I should just burn $50.00 of my retainer!
I don't know if your attorney permits this, but if I end up going over my retainer (which I am SURE I will), the firm allows you to make payments on the balance. Even $50.00 a month is acceptable. Maybe that's an arrangement you could make with your lawyer, or at least ask about it. They're likely to let you do it because it sounds like you're going to get some cash out of the settlement and be able to pay them back.
Im sorry. Its a CRIME how much this all costs! ESPECIALLY when its not ones fault! (eg: having to D someone alcoholic, abusive, etc).
My atty is $350/hr. I filed a little more than a year ago. STBX *swore* he would "drag this out & cost me 30K". Well, i am on my way.
I emailed my lawyer, told him I could no longer pay $1550 every other week and told him that I needed a payment plan.
Thank-you all for sharing this information.
He can certainly see there is a big pot of money available.
And I can have a better quality of life while this drags on.
thanks so very much