I was in a auto accident the lawyer kept over $5000 in an escrow account its been over two years how long do I have to wait to get my money
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
I was in a auto accident the lawyer kept over $5000 in an escrow account its been over two years how long do I have to wait to get my money
Asked on June 23, 2009 under Accident Law, New Jersey
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
If your case was settled two years ago, you should have gotten your share of the money by now. Whatever the situation, you are entitled to a complete report of any money that's gone into the lawyer's trust account in your name -- each deposit and each withdrawal, dates and amounts and purpose. A polite but direct letter to the lawyer, asking for this report, should get a reply within a week or two, I would think.
In New Jersey, a knowing misappropriation of client funds means disbarment, the end of the lawyer's career. As far as I know, there have been no exceptions since this rule was announced 30 years ago.
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.