What to do if I live in a different state than the attorney that I hired and they will not directly communicate with me?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if I live in a different state than the attorney that I hired and they will not directly communicate with me?
My mother passed last year and I contested her Will because my brother, the executor, has not communicated with me. Both he and I are the sole beneficiaries. It has been over 1 1/2 years and the past 6 months I have been communicating with the attorney’s secretary. I have emailed and called but have not received any information via phone mail or email. What do I do to have them call me?
Asked on July 29, 2013 under Estate Planning, Florida
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Inform the attorney in writing that you will discharge the attorney if he/she does not respond to your letter within ten days, and you will then hire another attorney.
You can also file a complaint with the State Bar in the state where that attorney is licensed to practice law. A call from the State Bar will usually result in the attorney responding to you.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
There is no way to force the attorney to call you directly, other than, perhaps, giving him an ultimatum, such as that if the attorney does not communicate directly with you, you will terminate the representation and hire someone else--which is your right, if you are not satisfied with how this attorney is handling your case. If it turns out the attorney has mishandled your case or caused you any damage, missed opportunity, or extra expense, you may have a malpractice claim and/or be able to file an ethical grievance with his state bar association.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.