House Sale Proceeds Withheld by Lawyer

shebanjoed

Me and ex sold our house 21st May. He received his cheque on 3rd June.

I haven't received mine yet (4th June) as, in addition to selling the house, we've been exchanging lawyers letters since last September 2012 on a separate legal matter. So 2 separate issues and I've used the same lawyer.

Lawyers has decided to withhhold more than half of the proceeds due to me and put it towards the other legal bill (of which I have never received a bill). It was never discussed with me that lawyer would withhold house sale proceeds to put towards the other legal bill. To date I have received no bill for outstanding legal work although I have emailed them on 4 separate occasions between October and March querying the bill and offering to pay set up a direct debit (no reply). This work is still ongoing and we will be going to court.

I have said to the lawyer I want what is owed to me, send me a bill for the other legal work and I'll pay. There is no question of me not paying/being unable to pay/making any late payments so is this what lawyers are entitled to do????

They are sitting with my money in an account and they cannot produce a figure that I owe them. Nor an itemised bill.

Any advice?

bryanb

I believe the Law society has a complaints procedure.

steampowered

Check what your engagement letter says about this

shebanjoed

At present I don't really want to go to Law Society as I am using the same lawyer to deal with a court case coming up to do with access and its a help that the lawyer has had dealings with my ex and knows all the history. I wish there was another option.

Nothing I have signed makes mention of using proceed of sale towards the other legal costs. Both have been dealt with entirely separately.

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

If it's the same firm, then I am sure that any monies they receive on your behalf can be offset against any that you owe. It will be somewhere in your engagement papers.

It's reasonable though that they should be able to show you what you owe so far, and what you might be reasonably expected to incur in the near future and to send you the difference.

I would put in a formal request for the figures you need, and suggest talking to the practice manager if you don't get a reply.