Error in Billing Statement from my attorney QUESTION/ADVICE

[FirstTimeMomCA]

I am in receipt of the billing statement from my attorney's office. I have a couple of questions on how to handle the charges I need to dispute.

1. I am being billed again for services rendered that were paid 7 months ago. This really bothers me, but I know how to handle it and will send a copy of the canceled check.

2. I am being billed for a specific date and time that my attorney told me he would not "bill" me for.

(Background on the date and time in question: I had told my attorney and his assistant twice that I did not feel the need to come in and draft a second letter when our first letter to opposing counsel went unanswered AND when we had a stipulated court order already in place with a review hearing in 4 weeks. Opposing counsel is very "letter happy" and I let my attorney know that I do not want to waste my time and money responding to various issues- such as paternity when it has already been stipulated by signed agreement that ex is the father, etc. He told me, "I will not bill you for today.")

Sadly, I am thinking that him giving me his word that he would not bill me is not enough. Any thoughts on this or how to handle it?

3. I am being billed for a phone conference and other services on a date I did not speak to my attorney (a Saturday, at that). This is their error, obviously, but can they reply and re-bill me with an "oops, we meant this date"?

Sorry this is so long, but after paying a huge retainer (that is now gone) and then receiving a bill for another $1,000.00, I am upset by the sloppy billing and will be disputing the charges. Just wanted some thoughts about how to handle it?? I am in the process of writing a letter to send via certified mail.

Side note: I am unhappy with this attorney, will not be using him again, but would like to possibly use another attorney in the firm. Would my dispute cause them to not want to work with me again? I'm guessing yes.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for your valued opinions.

[MixedBag]

write a nice letter explaing the charges in question.

include at least a partial payment for services that were properly rendered.

and yes, IMHO, if you want to use one of the other attorneys in the firm, you're gonna have a problem if the other attorney isn't paid in full.

[FirstTimeMomCA]

Thank you, that is a great idea. I will include a partial payment and ask that a new billing statement be sent to me.

Also, I am being billed for a  phone call to and from my uncle- which I had no idea my uncle made a call to my attorney's office. My uncle did not speak to my attorney, but spoke to another partner in the firm and he is billing me for the .60 amount of time he spent talking to my uncle. This seems ridiculous to me as I am surprised that any attorney (my attorney or not) would speak about my case to anyone else. How the heck do I handle this!!??

Thank you again!

[MixedBag]

was YOUR case the subject even with the partner in the firm?

I think I'd let my uncle know that I know he called and that it cost me $XXX and that if it continues, he can foot the bill.....and of course, THANK him for caring and trying to help.

[FirstTimeMomCA]

>was YOUR case the subject even with the partner in the firm?
>
Yes, my case was the subject discussed with my uncle. Both partners (my attorney and the other) then met to discuss my case. I'm being billed for 40 minutes, at $400 an hour for a call that was made without consent or knowledge.

I did send my uncle an email thanking him and also letting him know that if he wanted to discuss my case in the future, to please call me first (as I was billed for his time). :)