Paid a lawyer who only referred me...

[bankruptsee]

Here's the thing. I went to a lawyer to file for bankruptcy. He basically said I need $800 to start and probably another $800 after that. Fine. I paid him the $800 and he hands me a letter from another lawyer - my current bankruptcy lawyer. I've had no dealings with the first lawyer since.

My current lawyer billed the first lawyer $400. Now there's a matter of the remaining $400 that the first lawyer will NOT cough up.

His office is telling me "well we charge so much for referral...". I said there's no way he gets paid $400 for handing me a sheet of paper with a name on it.

What's your take on this? What do you think a reasonable amount would be for him?

I've asked my current lawyer to just bill him the remaining $400. He's just got me so mad. I hate lawyers.

[falken]

Did you sign some sort of agreement with the first lawyer before you paid him?
Did you believe you were hiring him to represent you, or did you know he was refering you to someone else?

[bankruptsee]

I was under the impression that I was retaining him and he'd represent me until after I paid he sent me to my current lawyer (with whom i'm very happy).

I signed a paper stating that I was paying for "new bk chapter 7 + filing fee". He mentioned nothing about "referring". I only knew I was referred AFTER retaining the second lawyer.

Get this... I caught the first lawyer in his car leaving his office today and he said, "I called your lawyer... she's straightened out" Turns out, he didn't even call.

[music12]

they are both crooks. the fact that the second lawyer billed the first for only $400 shows that they are working together on screwing clients.

i'd call your state bar and ask what to do. it's your money.

[aces67]

That whole thing is odd. I'd ask your state bar also.

[falken]

I agree, call the state bar and give them all the details... something is fishy.

[whipster1]

Lawyers cannot take a referral fee for Bankruptcy cases.

It is against Federal law. The attorney must ask the court for any payment, and justify the payment based on actual work done on the case.

Tell the Judge/Trustee/whoever if your lawyer won't do anything about it. It is a big NO NO and your lawyer should know that.

11 USC 503 b 4 is the code section.

[liz417]

I'd contact the State Bar, something isn't right about this. I think BOTH attorneys are in on this....