My question is the following:

I live in NY and saw an attorney about completing a Will. The attorney was so completely outrageous in his pricing, and felt that he had based his price on income that we interviewd other lawyers. 3 Months later I get a $300 bill for his consultation fee. I called his office and explained to his billing dept. that my wife and I were never told about a consultation fee, nor did we sign a retainer or make a written or oral agreement. I offered $50 as a courtesy for misunderstanding. I just received a letter stating that his bill is $300 and if I don't pay it, he will send it to collection. FYI I had my Will, power of attorney, living will, and health care proxy done for $350.00 and here he is charging me $300 for a consultation because I did not go with him. Why do I have to pay this if It wasn't disclosed? Secondly, what stops him from sending me a bill for $800 or $1000 and threatening me with collection if I don't pay? In his letter he stated that the first half hour was free and that we spoke for 1.5 hours (which was more like 45 minutes). Yet he explains it as though I didn't know... which I didn't. Can I just tell this guy to go jump off a bridge or what? I know fee resolution with the bar association isn't for under $1000. I believe I am in the right here. Had he disclosed the fee even after a half hour (which he didn't, we would have left).

Did you ask if the first meeting was free, often this is done with bankruptcy and some attorneyes, but with others, every visit is billable.
This should have been discussed before your visit.

Hello s:

No, you don't have to pay.

excon

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Originally Posted by shazaam17

My question is the following:

I live in NY and saw an attorney about completing a Will. The attorney was so completely outrageous in his pricing, and felt that he had based his price on income that we interviewd other lawyers. 3 Months later I get a $300 bill for his consultation fee. I called his office and explained to his billing dept. that my wife and I were never told about a consultation fee, nor did we sign a retainer or make a written or oral agreement. I offered $50 as a courtesy for misunderstanding. I just received a letter stating that his bill is $300 and if I don't pay it, he will send it to collection. FYI I had my Will, power of attorney, living will, and health care proxy done for $350.00 and here he is charging me $300 for a consultation because I did not go with him. Why do I have to pay this if It wasn't disclosed? Secondly, what stops him from sending me a bill for $800 or $1000 and threatening me with collection if I don't pay?. In his letter he stated that the first half hour was free and that we spoke for 1.5 hours (which was more like 45 minutes). Yet he explains it as though I didn't know...which I didn't. Can I just tell this guy to go jump off a bridge or what? I know fee resolution with the bar association isn't for under $1000. I believe I am in the right here. Had he disclosed the fee even after a half hour (which he didn't, we would have left).

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All I knew was that it was never brought up and then because I didn't go with him... he says the first half hour was free and the rest is billable. He never informed us during the meeting and no agreements or retainers were made. He is just pissed we didn't use him and "crying over spilled milk".