Frustration.....WARNING - Venting follows.....

[SweetGeorgia]

footballfan, I'm very sorry about your experience. I think that was very unprofessional of the assistant. In a bankruptcy practice, I imagine that Job #1 is "keep clients calm"!

Heck, I've known FEMALE attorneys who took calls while in labor, answered emails hours after birth, etc.... not that I think it's right, but it's certainly not unusual for solo practitioners to deal with client affairs in the midst of big events. I've also known good professionals whose assistants or substitutes ran off their clients while they were out. In the final analysis, good help really IS hard to find.

But if you can keep your future dealings with the assistant to a minimum, it's probably worth staying with the attorney. You really don't deal with him for very long, and it's not that much contact even while you're in the process (once you've filed).

Hey, I thought my attorney was fine. Even though: I did most of the work, he didn't return my calls for a couple of weeks before we needed to file, and he only called back when my HUSBAND called. He filed the stuff electronically, showed up in a suit for the 341 (and let me answer the trustee's questions when appropriate), and everything wrapped up OK. I've never had to talk to him since. (And oh, he's so much better than the first lawyer I talked to - who was so mean and judgmental to me on the phone that I was reduced to tears. For an hour.)

Hang in there, dear! It sounds like you have enough on your hands "talking down" your DH - and I sympathize completely! It will be OK. Really.

[keepsmiling]

Actually in many instances you will NOT be allowed to dump your client. My dh had to keep representing someone even though he wasn't getting paid. Judge would not let him out.

[footballfan]

I couldn't agree more. I did mention to him that I would be dealing directly with him from that point forward. He had already heard her version of what happened, and interestingly enough it was more of a rip on my husband than me! I got some yadda yadda about how she's front line and at month end has to manage lots of calls and questions.....I let it go for the time being. I do live in a right to work state, so if her job is just so unbearable, maybe she should find a new one?

I've focused my contact directly on my attny. This assistant has been emailing info to us and I politely reply with a thank you, but I no longer reach out to her.

I really had thought we were on the same page (so much so, that my call to her was for clarification only, not to stir any pots), and that I was behaving in a professional and appreciative manner. But it just goes to show you how others can interpret actions in a completely opposite way than your true intentions.

It's water under the (burnt) bridge.

[etechjc]

I agree with these statements, However, At what point is it best to make waves vs just grin an bear it. Personally, While being completely pissed, As long as the job is getting done, I think Id just grin and bear it. Then after it was all done, Maybe id talk to the attorney directly.

At least this attorney didn't do what my sisters attorney did to her the other day. 2 days before my sisters custody hearing, Her attorney told her that she wasn't interested in working for her anymore, and she needed to find another attorney. Without giving a reason. Apparently your allowed to do that if your a legal aid lawyer.

[LadyInTheRed]

This woman's behavior is completely unacceptable, even if you were a PITA. I have had clients that I would have loved to tell off, which is basically what she did to you. But, I would never do that. I am always professional and polite when I talk to them, even if I start cursing them the moment I hang up the phone. If I don't feal they are listening or if I get a sense that they are not satisfied with my answers to their questions, I suggest I have the attorney call them.

As far as the assistant saying the attorney can't do anything because his wife just had a baby, that's B.S. It is an attorney's obligation to be available for client when required or have another attorney available to cover for him. It's the assistant's job to determine what calls need the attorney's immediately attention and to politely and professionally handle the ones that don't. The attorney needs to know when the assistant is not adquately doing her job. If you don't tell him, he won't know.

[nsupanda]

Wow, how awful! My attorney wouldn't even speak to us until it was time to sign the paperwork. His paralegal did all the brunt work, and she wasn't very friendly or helpful. I wouldn't recommend his office to my worst enemy.

If I were you... I'd be tempted to bring up how the assistant treated you. I know your husband doesn't want it to affect your case, but I think if you spoke with the attorney directly and respectfully voiced your concerns he would probably (depending on what kind of person he is) be more apt to BETTER your case or pay more attention to your needs... just so he won't get bad word of mouth. It's just good business sense...

[footballfan]

I really thought I had a good one. I do like my attny, but question just how much am I supposed to be the one driving the bus? I provided all the requested info when I completed out questionnaire. But then to find that things I provided were not on the petition....Did he even review this stuff first?

Anyway, we are filed, and I'm patiently awaiting 341.

[etechjc]

Makes me glad for my lawyer. It was a BR Mill lawyer, Husband and Wife team. Husband was the lawyer and wife was the aid. But they were really cheap, Always answered my questions and were always patient with me. Even when I made them go back and change the petition 4 times to add creditors that weren't on my CR. I also must have called them a bazillion times to confirm they had this or that, ask questions, Basically micro managed stuff to the point where I annoyed myself. But they were always professional and calm. I was so happy with them that I would haven given them a tip after all was said and done if I thought they would've accepted it or for that matter I had it.

All I can say is grin and bear it. Once the petition is signed and submitted, As long as all goes smooth you will have very little interaction with them anymore.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Go in and sign when that is all set up, they will probably file electronically so it will be quick when they do it. Once everything is on record and filed I would then inform the attorney that the assistant was very unprofessional and rude. I would then let him know that you will no longer deal directly with her and that you want all communication with him directly. You are the client and this situation is stressful enough without the added attitude. This is what I would do and as he is attorney of record and it will be just 30 days away from your 341 he will probably just agree to keep peace (if he is smart). I cannot imagine putting up with that attitude but I would handle it directly with the attorney (all the while being over the top nice when talking to him so he has to question her story). The nicer you are in front of him the crazier she will look.

Here, Here, Clap, Clap, Clap! I strongly agree. (can you tell?) 'Hub

[footballfan]

Thank you all.

We are being filed tomorrow, so fingers crossed.....

[Drazil65]

Go in and sign when that is all set up, they will probably file electronically so it will be quick when they do it. Once everything is on record and filed I would then inform the attorney that the assistant was very unprofessional and rude. I would then let him know that you will no longer deal directly with her and that you want all communication with him directly. You are the client and this situation is stressful enough without the added attitude. This is what I would do and as he is attorney of record and it will be just 30 days away from your 341 he will probably just agree to keep peace (if he is smart). I cannot imagine putting up with that attitude but I would handle it directly with the attorney (all the while being over the top nice when talking to him so he has to question her story). The nicer you are in front of him the crazier she will look.

[keepsmiling]

I would feel exactly the same way.
I despise condescending attitudes and in my next life will know exactly how to put people like this in their place
Good luck, keep us posted.

[AngelinaCatHub]

It is simple FBF, that person is a b@#$h. You are not wrong, her attitude is. She probably excels in her legal work but just has a bad bedside manner. Her boss excuses this but trust me, he knows. 'Hub

P.S. After all is done and you get your hamster dance, mention the "bedside manner" thing to your lawyer off record. (and with a smile)

[footballfan]

Thanks for weighin in 'Hub. I've read your story, of course this was after I had already hired and paid the attorney.

I like my attny, he answers emails quickly, and he's very positive and reassuring. Although I don't feel he's given the proper level of attention to our case and circumstances -- but then again, maybe I am asking for the world and that's not what I've paid for.

I don't feel we've ever been "advised" of anything; when the median incomes changed Nov 1, I would think he would have known that and maybe said hey, let's get you filed in October. One of the reasons we are over median is due to the drop of median income Nov 1. Plus, my husband got a small raise in NOvember, and then a new job for more money in December.

I'm trying to take it one day/step at a time. I'm trying to encourage my husband to also take it one day at a time. Let's file, attend the 341 and go from there.

I'm certain to have way more questions down the road. But this post was all about spilling my guts to someone other than my husband, and not feeling like there would be repercussions for doing so.

I can't get over her comment though that my husband was easier to deal with than me. He's a football coach......he likes to yell!

[AngelinaCatHub]

Trust me, that attny knows. Here is our story: After waiting willingly for four quarters and redundant info replacement, we INSISTED on filing before the turn of year. 12/28 we were on site and got the same crap from our lady lawyer herself. We muddled through the process and after our 341 and no questions answered at all, and no responses I started to learn stuff on my own. (Nolo book). We never knew of this site, then. I Motioned to release my attorney and go pro se. This caused a hearing. The UST, our Trustee, and the lawyer was there. The Judge asked me some questions of why I wanted to fire the lawyer. I told him everything Publicly. The Judge smiled in a kind of Fatherly way and siad, "but Mr. Hub, you are almost done. To go pro se now would unnecessarily lengthen your process. Would you reconsider?" Well of course it was my Judge and yes I would.

The good news is that the Lawyer was outed publicly. The Lawyer lost a day of work and a trip to Court. We dropped our request. Once this is over though, you can take just what you wrote here, explain what here is (the Forum) and send it to him. Again, I am sure he knows what he has for an assistant. 'Hub