How can I get a lawyer to end a case?
Question Details:
I hired a lawyer to settle a real estate transaction that was owned by 2 parties. The lawyer placed some of the proceeds of the sale of the house in a trust account without my approval, after releasing the bulk of the funds to myself and the other party (and paying himself over $4,000). Now the lawyer wants an additional $1,700 in fees while the money in the trust account remains. I told him to pay himself with the proceeds within the trust account but he will not do it. The lawyer is dragging this case on in order to receive additional money. The case is over. What can I do?
You should ask the attorney why he is continuing to hold the funds in the trust account. There may be a legitimate reason regarding an aspect of the case that has not yet been resolved. If you are dissatisfied with the attorney's response, you can contact the DE State Bar. Usually a call from the State Bar will prompt an attorney to take appropriate action. Prior to contacting the State Bar, you can also ask the attorney for an accounting not only regarding the funds in the trust account, but also what work he has done to claim an additional $1700 in fees.
