Am I Hugely Impatient With My Lawyer Or What?

[hippyguy]

Newbie poster, longtime listener...

So I guess I'm like alot of others, I found this sight shortly after paying my lawyer my first $600 retention fee. Quick backround: the wife and I are filling joint 7, barely over the means on my salary, she hasn't worked in over a year. We are on the "Into The Wild Plan" ditch the house, the car, 60000 unsecured debt, and whatever else they want to send a U Haul to come and get. We don't care anymore take it all. So this is what has me bummed. I don't mind that we've been living like Ghandi for the past four months, I don't mind that the phone rings 60 times a day, and my entire family hears about what scumbags we are, from our creditors calling them. Does my great Aunt Agnes in Pittsburg really need to know that I owe 1st Financial X amount of dollars? Anyhow, I'm just venting. What is frustrating me the most is how slowly my lawyer / or should I say Paralegal is moving. Our consult was in October, we retained in November, filled out the big red book in novemeber and stroked another check. Now hear we are in Febuary, I scrambled yesterday to cash a check on my lunch break to run to the office so I could file before my direct deposit went through last night. I really feel like the paralegal is not very bright. She has been telling us we are ready and then we are not, I provide her with what she wants immediatley and get requests for the same stuff a week later. From the ten minutes I've spent with lawyer I really like the dude, and he came highly recommended, though not very cheap. Do I shoot him an email and gripe about his employee? Do lawyers not understand the emotional distress that is placed on people in our situation. Point being, supposedly I filed yesterday, but I don't even know if I did. When I call, I can't even get the Paralegal on the phone or to return calls. The only piece of mind I have is the old saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR". This just sucks. I just want the ball to start rolling so my wife will relax.

Sorry so long, great site by the way. I'm so glad there are others out there just as messed up as us.

[jeb]

I'm so glad there are others out there just as messed up as us.

Hey, hip - I just want you to know that I am not THAT messed up!

I would send an email to the Attorney and pointing out the timeline you have here.

I took - finally got together all that was needed - the paperwork to my Attorney Tues and paralegal called last night saying she has emailed me all the info being filed, to look it over today and we will sign Monday. Now that is service!!!

Hope all goes well - jb

[blankslate]

Sorry you're going through that frustration with an attorney. If you filed yesterday then you should have a case number. Make sure to get that from the paralegal or attorney or whoever answers the phone! The letters to creditors go out next day so it starts happening really fast and you should even have something in the mail directly from the court next day.

I hope things all look up from here for you. You have a fantastic attitude towards it all!

[OhioFiler]

We retained an attorney Thursday after meeting with her for nearly 2 hours. She came recommended by one of the fine members here!

The members on this site has reduced my stress level by huge amounts. I just love this site!

Hippy, if you're really a "hippie" I suggest you smoke a doobie and relax!

[AlreadyFiled]

Newbie poster, longtime listener...

So I guess I'm like alot of others, I found this sight shortly after paying my lawyer my first $600 retention fee. Quick backround: the wife and I are filling joint 7, barely over the means on my salary, she hasn't worked in over a year. We are on the "Into The Wild Plan" ditch the house, the car, 60000 unsecured debt, and whatever else they want to send a U Haul to come and get. We don't care anymore take it all. So this is what has me bummed. I don't mind that we've been living like Ghandi for the past four months, I don't mind that the phone rings 60 times a day, and my entire family hears about what scumbags we are, from our creditors calling them. Does my great Aunt Agnes in Pittsburg really need to know that I owe 1st Financial X amount of dollars? Anyhow, I'm just venting. What is frustrating me the most is how slowly my lawyer / or should I say Paralegal is moving. Our consult was in October, we retained in November, filled out the big red book in novemeber and stroked another check. Now hear we are in Febuary, I scrambled yesterday to cash a check on my lunch break to run to the office so I could file before my direct deposit went through last night. I really feel like the paralegal is not very bright. She has been telling us we are ready and then we are not, I provide her with what she wants immediatley and get requests for the same stuff a week later. From the ten minutes I've spent with lawyer I really like the dude, and he came highly recommended, though not very cheap. Do I shoot him an email and gripe about his employee? Do lawyers not understand the emotional distress that is placed on people in our situation. Point being, supposedly I filed yesterday, but I don't even know if I did. When I call, I can't even get the Paralegal on the phone or to return calls. The only piece of mind I have is the old saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR". This just sucks. I just want the ball to start rolling so my wife will relax.

Sorry so long, great site by the way. I'm so glad there are others out there just as messed up as us.

I agree.
You hired him to work for you. If his employee is being lazy, he deserves to know.

[hippyguy]

We retained an attorney Thursday after meeting with her for nearly 2 hours. She came recommended by one of the fine members here!

The members on this site has reduced my stress level by huge amounts. I just love this site!

Hippy, if you're really a "hippie" I suggest you smoke a doobie and relax!

I agree with the stress relief I find here, it really helps to know others are in the same boat. To be honest I'm pretty laid back about the process, my wife is wound up in knots about the entire process. CAn't get past the stigma I guess.

[PoorGrammyinBK7]

Keep in mind that many attorneys do not read their emails - their paralegals read them!

[nervousss]

That is a tough situation.

I worked a lot with my lawyers paralegal, and I had a different experience.

We communicated a lot through email. I emailed her scanned documents of everything rather than physically bringing in hard copies, and we both knew for sure what I had sent to her. Is this an option for you? Perhaps ask her for her email address for more prompt replies?

Just looking for a solution that wont put you on the para's hit list :/

[Flamingo]

I agree with the stress relief I find here, it really helps to know others are in the same boat. To be honest I'm pretty laid back about the process, my wife is wound up in knots about the entire process. CAn't get past the stigma I guess.

All you described in your original posting and what you and your wife are both feeling is totally normal. Prior to filing, everything is raw nerves, nothing goes fast enough, creditors calling, no money, it can be a nightmare. I will stick to the subject as to your attorney. You need to know that you are not the only person filing and your attorney's office is probably overwhelmed with bankruptcies and your attorney may do other things besides bankruptcies and have many other clients. Attorneys know the feelings that go along with filing but they also know that all will be OK and there is really no need to stress but they are bad at conveying that because the areas of law and the courts are emotionless.

Paralegals are not lawyers...they work under one so the one you are working with is just getting all the information together for you to sign and for the lawyer to review. He/She is probably handling numerous cases. Give their office a call and get ahold of the receptionist, paralegal or attorney and say "I know you guys are horribly busy, can you take a moment and let me know where my case stands and that I provided everything you need cause it's taking a while?" That should get you an answer. If not, go to the office and ask in person - that will REALLY get you an answer...

Hang in there...there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[hippyguy]

All you described in your original posting and what you and your wife are both feeling is totally normal. Prior to filing, everything is raw nerves, nothing goes fast enough, creditors calling, no money, it can be a nightmare. I will stick to the subject as to your attorney. You need to know that you are not the only person filing and your attorney's office is probably overwhelmed with bankruptcies and your attorney may do other things besides bankruptcies and have many other clients. Attorneys know the feelings that go along with filing but they also know that all will be OK and there is really no need to stress but they are bad at conveying that because the areas of law and the courts are emotionless.

Paralegals are not lawyers...they work under one so the one you are working with is just getting all the information together for you to sign and for the lawyer to review. He/She is probably handling numerous cases. Give their office a call and get ahold of the receptionist, paralegal or attorney and say "I know you guys are horribly busy, can you take a moment and let me know where my case stands and that I provided everything you need cause it's taking a while?" That should get you an answer. If not, go to the office and ask in person - that will REALLY get you an answer...

Hang in there...there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I can't thank everyone so much for there comments. This morning I called the office. Case was filled last Thursday and they were to busy to call me with my case number. I can't wait for my next collections call. It's offical, I can't wait for the creditors to call to give them the info and tell them to stop calling