How to Know a Family Lawyer is Doing Their Job

Ever wonder why you're paying that family lawyer of yours? Want to check up on to see if any work has been completed or being kept out of the loop? Find out...

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• All documents to date
• Written attorney-client agreements
• Telephone
• Computer and internet

1. Gather up all the information your family lawyer has given to you. This can be legal information from his office, scribbled down notes from your lawyer or from yourself via a phone conversation and any financial payments made to your lawyer for your case.
2. Estimate the amount of time that an average person would be able to generate this amount of work for you. I say average person, because a competent attorney should be capable of doing this work in half the time. After that, add all of your payments to your lawyer and divide them by the amount of time you estimated. This should give you a reasonable estimate of how much you are being charged per hour. If it's astronomically high, get inquisitive and begin writing down your findings and appropriate questions.
3. Give your lawyer a call. If you can't reach them, leave a message regarding your concerns. If your call hasn't been returned, try again and ask for either your lawyer, administrative assistant or boss. Reaching one of the senior partners should definitely get the ball rolling.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect your lawyer has not adequately represented you, inform the judge and be prepared to prove your claim of improper or poor legal representation.
• Just because your lawyer may be inadequately performing his duties, do not miss a court date. Stay apprised of your scheduled appearance dates and meetings with court officers or counselors.