Child Custody Attorney Los Angeles

[Theresa Chenoweth]

Know when it's time to fire your child custody attorney Los Angeles,
file a complaint, seek available funds, sue for malpractice, or even
call the police.
Fire Your Attorney
You have the right to fire your Los Angeles custody lawyer for any
reason. When you fire your lawyer, you must pay for the work already
done, and you must notify the court of the change. In many states,
your lawyer must give you your case file-even if you still owe some
money. Aside from that, firing your lawyer may affect your case. The
first time you fire your lawyer, the new lawyer will need time to get
up to speed on your case. After that, if you continue to fire lawyers,
you will alert the judge to the fact that you are an unstable
litigant. And finally, after you go through a few lawyers, new lawyers
won't want you as a client.
File a Complaint
Because a child custody attorney Los Angeles is licensed to practice,
you can also file a complaint with the state bar. Lawyers are officers
of the court, and must adhere to a code of professional conduct. When
you file a complaint of lawyer misconduct, the lawyer is investigated-
usually by the disciplinary board of the state bar or the state
supreme court. If the investigator finds evidence of unethical
behavior, the lawyer can be disciplined. Typical discipline includes
private warnings, probation, suspension, and-for the most egregious
cases-disbarment. Lawyers take complaints very seriously, and you will
undoubtedly get their attention if you file one.
To file a complaint against a lawyer, contact the state bar
association.
Money talks. "In this system, you are innocent until proven broke.
When you are broke, you are pretty much finished. That's the way it
is, not the way it's supposed to be." Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.,
attorney for O.J. Simpson.
Seek Available Funds
If your California custody lawyer has stolen your money or your
property, you can contact your state's client security fund or client
assistance fund. Practicing lawyers pay into those funds, and you may
be reimbursed for some of your loss. For example, in California,
clients are eligible for a maximum payout of $50,000. To contact the
fund, call the state bar association.
Sue for Malpractice
If your child custody attorney Los Angeles has made an honest mistake
that has hurt you or cost you money, you can sue for malpractice. Many
lawyers carry malpractice insurance specifically for this purpose. To
sue a lawyer, you'll probably need another lawyer-one who specializes
in suing lawyers. Ironically, you may be able to get a referral from
your state bar's lawyer referral service.
Contact the Police
If your lawyer has committed a crime, you can report it to the police.
If you are not sure it's a crime, you can always talk to another
lawyer.
"Most judges believe persons who go through several attorneys during
one dissolution often are neurotic or unreasonable. They are
considered problem clients by the bar as well as by the judges. You
will understand how badly a second or third change of attorney has
prejudiced your case when you hear your spouse's attorney emphasizing
in all pleadings and at oral arguments before the judge that your
current lawyer is your 'fourth.' Such a statement carries with it the
inference that you lack stability, or your demands are unreasonable,
or both." Judge Stewart, California Divorce Handbook
Knowing when it's time to fire, file a complaint, seek available
funds, sue for malpractice, or even call the police on your child
custody attorney Los Angeles, is extremely important and can have an
enormous impact on your custody case.