Should I ask my lawyer for a lower fee???

[Pinktiger]

I noticed on Pacer that of the people who filed Chapter 7 with my lawyer this month, I seem to be the only one charged $1500. Most of the people paid $800. One paid $1,000.

He told me it may not cost $1500, but that is what he put on the paperwork. I've already paid him $750. When I first went to see him, he said it may go 13, but it seems like it is going Chapter 7 with no assets.
I have nothing the trustee could decide to turn into an asset. No pensions, nothing.

My husband is not filing, so the equity in our house is untouchable. Why is he charging me so much? What should I do? I actually did most of the work on this myself and gave it to his secretary in pdf files. I even corrected her work a time or two, where she had the addresses wrong.

[hhou812hh]

I don't know if on the eve of the bk law changes any lawyer will negotiate their fee. Even if it goes to a 13 you "shouldn't" have to pay too much more up front. The ch13 trustee will usually pay the lawyer thru the plan.

[Pinktiger]

He already told me it may not cost as much as he said, since we filed Ch. 7. I think I should ask him for a reduction. I also feel that he is taking advantage of me. I am a businesswoman and a professional, and I noticed that he gave one client, an "exotic dancer," a filing for only $600. Maybe she gave him a lap dance.

[hhou812hh]

He already told me it may not cost as much as he said, since we filed Ch. 7. I think I should ask him for a reduction. I also feel that he is taking advantage of me. I am a businesswoman and a professional, and I noticed that he gave one client, an "exotic dancer," a filing for only $600. Maybe she gave him a lap dance.

I see your point...



Good luck!!

[Whittio]

Interesting! I might just mention to him that you know what others have paid, and ask why yours would be so much more then theirs is after you have done so much work and even point out that you have had to make corrections for them..
Hey, it's worth a try right??

[Pinktiger]

I think letting him know that I know what others have paid and asking why mine is so much higher will work. I can say, "is there something about my case that makes it more complicated??? What is the consideration?"
Consideration is something lawyers can understand. Then I can suggest he amend the paperwork to reflect the lower fee.

[Whittio]

Yep.. doesn't hurt to try right? What's the WORST he could do?? I would think by you knowing that he hasn't charged everyone else the same (maybe yours was harder, but you say you did most of the work, so I don't see how yours could be any harder??) but that's like going into McDonald's and me paying $5 for a burger, and you paying $10.. it's OK if you ordered special stuff.. but if it's just a normal burger, it should be the same price across the board!