search bankruptcy case number
Attorney wont file bankruptcy after I paid him..?
On 4/25 I hired a lawyer (and paid agreed upon amount) to file bankruptcy for me. He stated that he would be able to file within a day of completing paperwork. On 5/12 all paperwork completed and necessary classes taken, the next week he would not answer or return my calls. Secretary stated he filled banktuptcy over weekend. Finally spoke to him and he said it was filled but his computer down so cant give me case number. I searched the bankrupcty (pacer) website, it has not been filed. He won’t answer or return my calls that I have made. And his secretary told me she can’t help she doens’t know whats going on and that I am in the same boat as three other clients. He won’t answer phone or return my calls.What should and can I do? I need to file bankruptcy ASAP. thanks for any imput
You have certainly been given proper advice as far as contacting your State Bar. However, contacting the State Bar prematurely will not help your situation.
Try contacting your attorney one last time. Do not call his office, send him a certified letter stating that he is in receipt of your retainer fee and credit counseling certificate. State that you are inquiring as to the status of your case and would like a response within a few days.
If you still have not heard from your attorney at this point, contact your attorney again through certified mail and request all documentation of your case as well as a return of all fees paid to him.
I would advise you to also contact the bankruptcy court in your district directly. I am not exactly sure as to how you were able to search Web Pacer as you have to be a registered user of Pacer and you also have to have permissable purpose to be assigned a username and password. Usually being a debtor in a case does not fall under permissable purpose to allow you access to the system.
If after contacting your attorney he does not file your case and does not return the fees you have paid to him, at this point you will want to contact your state’s bar to file a complaint.
