gregorygarver.com

emkay60613 · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

I had an attorney represent me for a couple of legal issues including a real estate closing. The attorney was paid at the closing, and refuses to provide me with a detailed invoice for the work he did. Is that legal?

tocarram · Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 4

Your attorney should disclose billable hours to you. That's why they keep track of them! Who knows what you are paying for? If you feel that you "overpaid" you can seek another attorney for a consultation on the issue, or if he still refuses, report him to the state bar. I would first see a lawyer for a consult. The lawyer can find out what the average cost in your area is for the representation he provided. Honestly, it sounds pretty shady to me. Good luck.

Perdendosi · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 3

It's legal if and only if you had an agreement with him, that he would be paid for the entire transaction (or some percentage thereof) rather than hourly. But there is generally a requirement in each state that an attorney provide you with a detailed billing statement showing the hours worked and the fees charged.ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 (which may or may not apply to your attorney, depending upon the state) sets the basic requirements for fee arrangements, including billing. If he refuses to do so, you may engage another attorney to force him to produce an invoice and/or refund your money (up to actual value of services rendered), and/or you may report him to the State Bar disciplinary authority (usually the Bar Association or the Supreme Court) for failure to provide adequate billing statements.Good luck.