I met with a lawyer three weeks ago to modify custody and child support. The situation is very critical, as I am having a hard time keeping food on the table, and my ex-husband is only paying 25% of what the court requires him to pay according to his income.
The lawyer originally told me he'd ask for an ex-parte hearing for my case to be heard within 24 hours, since the situation requires immediate action.
The next time I saw him, he told me he would file the paperwork Monday the 8th, instead for a regular hearing which would be heard at the end of February or early March. When I saw him Monday, he told me he'd file the paperwork on the 9th. He also told me he'd email me financial forms, of which I still haven't received.
Since I hadn't gotten a mediation date or any paperwork from the court, I decided to call him today to find out if he knew anything. When he returned my phone call, he left a message on my machine for a different client.
I then went on the court website and found out that no court date has been set, because no paperwork has been filed by my attorney. I looked him up on the CA Bar website and found out he had been suspended for three years previously for not showing up to court and stealing client funds.
Should I be worried or is this just normal attorney behavior? I've already paid and had my checks cashed and can't afford another lawyer.
The lawyer originally told me he'd ask for an ex-parte hearing for my case to be heard within 24 hours, since the situation requires immediate action.
The next time I saw him, he told me he would file the paperwork Monday the 8th, instead for a regular hearing which would be heard at the end of February or early March. When I saw him Monday, he told me he'd file the paperwork on the 9th. He also told me he'd email me financial forms, of which I still haven't received.
Since I hadn't gotten a mediation date or any paperwork from the court, I decided to call him today to find out if he knew anything. When he returned my phone call, he left a message on my machine for a different client.
I then went on the court website and found out that no court date has been set, because no paperwork has been filed by my attorney. I looked him up on the CA Bar website and found out he had been suspended for three years previously for not showing up to court and stealing client funds.
Should I be worried or is this just normal attorney behavior? I've already paid and had my checks cashed and can't afford another lawyer.