Dealing with a settlement and other legal proceedings is stressful for most of us, and the process of seeing a court case through from start to finish can be made even more confusing due to the legal system. The law is often complex and difficult to interpret for individuals who aren’t trained lawyers, and most individuals find that they need legal assistance during settlement proceedings.
However, sometimes it might seem like your lawyer is being less than honest and doesn’t have your best interests in mind.
If you think that your lawyer might be cheating you on a settlement’s total, or you suspect that they aren’t handling your case as professionally as they need to be, review our tips below that help you tell if your lawyer is cheating you.
The Role of Your Lawyer
When you hire a lawyer for your legal needs, you enter into a contract with them. Before any case details are discussed beyond basic needs, the lawyer’s billing fees and payment system are discussed, as well as potential outcomes for your case.
The role of your lawyer is to guide your case through the legal system and represent you in court, typically gathering evidence and creating arguments that will help you get the most benefit out of a settlement and the justice you deserve in any specific case.
It’s important that you take the time to understand your lawyer’s role in your specific case, as every legal case is different and lawyers differ with their fee structures and direct involvement in all areas of a legal case.
How to Tell if Your Lawyer Is Less Than Trustworthy
With all the confusion and stress that legal cases bring, it might be a little difficult to determine if your lawyer is cheating you on a settlement. To help you out, we give you items to look out for that might indicate your lawyer is less than trustworthy.
There’s a Serious Lack of Communication
Communication is necessary in any contractual agreement, especially in ones that deal with legal matters. If you are finding it difficult to get into contact with your lawyer, they are ignoring your calls or emails, or you can’t seem to catch them in their office, they are likely not being totally honest with you. There is a risk they are making decisions without your input or engaging in other activities surrounding your case that are problematic.
Noticing a lack of communication before your case is actively in court is essential because this gives you time to switch lawyers. Switching mid-trail is often more difficult, and it might not be recommended depending on your circumstances.
Your Lawyer Refuses to Show You a Settlement Check
When you sign your agreement with your lawyer regarding your settlement case, you will typically agree to pay your lawyer a portion of the total settlement amount; this number ranges between 25 and 50 percent on average. After your settlement case is concluded, you should be able to see the settlement check by contacting your lawyer, and your lawyer or their office should update you about payments being made and fees being deducted from your total settlement.
If your lawyer isn’t responding to requests to see the final settlement check, or if you are having trouble contacting their office for details of payments received, how much is removed from your settlement check, and other financial information, you might be dealing with a problem.
Your Lawyer’s Billing Practice Is Confusing
Any bill that you receive from your lawyer should be clear, and you should be able to pinpoint exactly what they are charging you for. Bills that include hours of padding where legal services or consultations weren’t received, excessive fees, or double billing for items indicate that your lawyer might not be honest about their practice.
You should ask to see your lawyer’s notes and details on why you are being billed the way you are; if your lawyer refuses to discuss this information with you, they might be cheating you.
You Aren’t Receiving Regular Case Updates
Regular case updates including the progress of your case from start to finish, payment amounts, and billing totals should all be part of the communication you receive from your lawyer or their office. Failure to receive case updates, trouble getting updates on the progress of your case, or silence from your lawyer after your settlement is concluded may indicate that there is some kind of sketchy business going on.
What Should I Do if My Lawyer Is Cheating Me?
If you’ve noticed that your lawyer is acting less than trustworthy and you believe that you are being cheated or treated with negligence in some way, there are a few next steps you can take. We list our suggestions below.
- Communicate with your lawyer or their office about your concerns and see if you can remedy the problem.
- Obtain your file from your lawyer so you can review the details of your case and how your lawyer is handling it.
- Research the methods your lawyer is using and the details of your case at a law library to confirm if your lawyer’s practice is correct.
- File a complaint with your state’s bar association, or other association that handles issues with a lawyer’s practice.
- Get a second opinion from a different lawyer about how your case is being handled.
- Don’t be afraid to fire your lawyer and hire a different one in the case that your lawyer is handling your case in a negligent or otherwise unsuitable way.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s legal case is different. If you are truly concerned about the way your lawyer is handling your case, researching best practices and filing a complaint is almost always the first step; check with state regulations in your area to figure out information more specific to your situation.
Can I Learn More About the Legal Profession?
When dealing with lawyers and court cases, you might be wondering if it’s possible to learn more about the legal profession. You may also be considering a career change to something legal after your time dealing with lawyers.
If you’re serious about this, law school is your next step, and you should take every chance to properly prepare yourself for law school admissions, including hiring an LSAT tutor. After all, there’s no better place to get first-hand legal experience than law school.
Making Sure Your Settlement Is Correct
Settlements and court cases bring with them lots of emotions and stress, and it’s important to hire a lawyer who will be working for you and have your best interests in mind during this time.
If you’ve found that the lawyer you are working with is less than trustworthy or you suspect you are being cheated out of your full settlement, conducting research on your lawyer and filing a complaint with the appropriate organization are your next steps.
