Disputed charge on statement from Attorney

[wallyworld]

After looking through my past statements from my lawyer in FL (I am in IL) from court that ended in April 04 I found two charges that referenced billing for WRITTEN motion to dismiss child support.  However, my lawyer NEVER did do a written motion as my ex's lawyer finally agreed that FL did not have jurisdiciton over child support.

I wrote my attorney and told him about the false charge.  I was not specific as I could NOT find the statement at that time.  After about 4 weeks I finally have received a response:

Dear Wally,

I apologize that this letter was delayed; however, my office was destroyed by hurricane Ivan.  In response to your letter I cannot explain or locate the referenced item you mentioned.  I can tell you that at one time I went back and forth whether to file a written motion to Dismiss;  I did research the issue and that may be what is referenced.  I remember you emailing me questioning why I was not filing the Motion to Dismiss.  I can only tell you to do with the bill what you beleive you have to.  If you need to discount my bill then multiply the time for the event by 12.50.  I have closed your file and do not have the time to retreive the material to resolove this matter.

Yours truely,

lawyer



The charge was billed in JAN of 04

Here is what it says:

1/15/04 start outline the MOTION TO DISMISS (which would reference written) .5

Then right under that on the same date he charges 1.50 for trial prep re:  waiver of jurisdiciton (which I am assuming would still be referencing the WRITTEN motion which NEVER exsisted NOR was ever written)  

I am assuming that the 1.50 waiver of jurisditction was in reference to the MOTION he never wrote due to on 9/19 9/22 and 9/23 9/26 9/30 he billed me for research for jurisdicitonal arguments for mtotion to dismiss with time equaling over 4 hours.

Therefore I am disputing the 2 hours he charged me for the written motion.  

currently I only owe him 250.00.  He charges 125.00 per hour; therefore, my bill with him would be paid in full after this dispute.

1.  Could you please help me write a SHORT and sweet letter that states my disputed two hours referenced above--- I am nOT good at this as I am unsure what exactly to write.

2.  Do you think what I am requesting is fair?

[socrateaser]

>1.  Could you please help me write a SHORT and sweet letter
>that states my disputed two hours referenced above--- I am nOT
>good at this as I am unsure what exactly to write.
>
>2.  Do you think what I am requesting is fair?

Send him a check for 25.00. Write on the back of the check, "Full Satisfaction for all debts through ??/??/??.

If he cashes the check, then that will close the account. Make sure that your bank sends you the check back so you have proof, otherwise this will be a waste of time and money.