How Long Should it Take for My Attorney to Return My Call?

In this video business attorney Peter J. Lamont talks about the reasonable expectations of clients with regard to return telephone call or e-mail to their attorney.

[@jrdainvestor8304]

My attorney literally does not return emails and whenever I call the secretary takes my message and says that my attorney will call me back. He never does...want to fire him but cant afford another attorney

[@faizashireen5]

Same issue going on with me! I want to fire the attorney but unfortunately can’t afford the new one and also not sure the new lawyer would be best work for me

[@charlesdjones1]

I'm with Daspit Law Firm, Houston, TX and they do not return phone calls. They lie to you and say they will return your call later, but never do.

[@corinnes271]

I had a problem with a previous attorney not responding so when I hired this attorney I asked her what her policy was. She said she reponds within 48 hours. Well, I didn't expect 48 hours to the minute. But it's been longer than that several times and most recently I waited one week and then had to send a second email. So.. just because you establish a "policy" doesn't mean it will be adhered to.

[@Joyjoy-ih1ie]

NO EXCUSE for ignoring a customer/client!

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

That’s right!

[@MrAnthonyvictoria]

Thank you. Awesome well explained video.

[@christystanczyk875]

Thank you, this helped to put things In perspective.

[@techcanyon411]

Lawyer's feel they are untouchable and we need a lot of protect to, tackle it. It is all over the world such happens.

[@simplydee2567]

Thanks for the video!

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@JaneDoe-rj4jn]

I don’t think people expect immediate call backs, I know I don’t; however it’s often excessive at least what I’m going through. Or when they get back to you in a week, to book an appointment to talk to them …it’s another week out! Throw in their court trials in which they are unavailable for a week, and vacation (with both lawyers on either side) it’s now 2 -4 weeks to have a response THEN rinse and repeat when they have to do follow up work whatever that is. I feel they need to at least have someone backing them up if they are not available longer than a week. It’s too expensive yo change lawyers when it’s near the finish line.

[@cholos17]

Thanks!!

[@blueberry.2020]

Thanks for your video I wish I can find other lawyer . My lawyer is not interested to help me . He’s make me few very uncomfortable and lost with my case . I also gave a suspicious he work along with the insurance company . The problem this case going on two years is hard to find someone to take over . If you know any lawyer can help please let me know . Thanks

[@wendellrowell5459]

I understood what you said. Thank you it helped.my age discrimination case is 8 months old. I have contacted the lawyer once. They returned my text at a reasonable time . But then nothing for 3months . An I am worried.

[@christineippoliti-baker2745]

My lawyer has been known to let two weeks go by without a call back to me and wait until court is the next day. I have been told off by his paralegal for calling back more than one time. I am in the middle of a court case defending myself against a neighbor who wants me to move. She makes up lies and I need some good advice from my attorney on how to go about defending myself.

[@JoeBlow-ni7rg]

Going through a divorce. attorney never answers my calls or secretary tells me he’s in another city call back next week. When he does rarely call back I get charged and he tells me he’ll work on the paperwork needed to send to my wife’s attorney and I should get it for review the next day before it’s sent to them. He’s said this twice I and i never receive any paperwork. Me and the wife are not fighting over any thing. No child support, split custody of the kids no alimony, we canceled mediation and did property division ourselves so he really didn’t do anything besides answer my wife’s divorce summons. However I was recently medically retired from the military. Wife’s lawyer asked to see a copy of my retirement orders and Va disability. I sent him the documents months ago and my wife lawyer still has not received them. Again me and the wife are not fighting for anything, she doesn’t want me retirement, and we did the property division ourselves. Now he is telling me my wife is not agreeing to my proposal that me and my wife did ourselves and telling me we’re going to have to prepare for trial. However now his office calls me and tells me my original retainer of $4k has been expended in full and now I need to spend another $3k for another retainer. When he’s done nothing but answer my wife’s original divorce summons. Me and the wife have done everything else. Funny thing is when i questioned his secretary about why I needed another retainer and that he’s done nothing for me he was able to call back in a few hours to discuss his payment. Only reason I hired him was because I got served divorce papers and had no idea how to respond to the or what to do. Sorry for the bad grammar my phone screen shattered and makes it harder to type but is it possible to get refund if he says my original retainer is expended or get my money back.

[@JaneDoe-rj4jn]

I’m going through a similar thing. It’s beyond painful. Amicable separation yet both attorneys could give a rats behind (or so it seems). I’m going on two years + and kept hanging in thinking it was close to done and it never is!!! My ex and I are both in agreement with who gets what yet because my attorney is so busy (I assume) and my spouses is just inept it’s an absolute nightmare to get both attorneys on same page. Then one will be in court when the other is available, then the other when back will be available but then mines on vacation. I’ve been forced to sell my house cause I thought paperwork would be done but yup! No such luck and I have to move out in a month. I’ve had to rent air b and bs Out of my pocket cause I can’t look for a house as I need the signed serration agreement to get mortgage approval. Feels like I’m the one having to poke my lawyer for updates and urgency. … I feel for you!! I see you left this comment a year ago so hope things worked out for you.

[@theresacaylor1]

i have paid in full for a no fault divorce 10/10/2019 it is now 12/02/2019 and he hasnt even got the papers ready for me to sign. he has done nothing. what should i do?

[@susanchristineknisely3546]

Thank you for having a 24 hour return call policy and doing this video. Here's an extension question. I find a attorney with terrorism litigation experience. I call the law office saying I need to discuss my case directly with an attorney verses a paralegal because my case has different aspects due to national security (law) classified information related to a government case, and the involvement of the Senate and the AG (have letter). I never receive a call back from an attorney to evaluate the case. The restitution money comes from the U.S Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. So the AG has the case,, the Fund has my money, Criminal case restitution doesn't cover pain and suffering so I am probably going to have to just take whatever I can get (settle) when I could take more (up to 35 million dollars + 10% as a informer) Would you consider that to be poor screening by a law firm?

[@jamiehall7582]

What if your attorney dont get back to you for 4 month and then some

[@kathygarcia7209]

Like feeling like my has been 3yrs and stilling stuffering and the doctor did something that woresen me no benefit

[@guillermobeltran8000]

Wilshire Law Firm Hasn't Calle or Te t Back since October 2023... Been leaving Messages... 🤷

[@honestabe4760]

Thanks when?

[@charlesbrewer3362]

The paralegal can alt least call me back that’s his assistant took a week

[@archieallen8436]

One month

[@honestabe4760]

What if my attorney's not schooling me on keeping my travel receipts or never tells me anything only focused in on his end of the money

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

Kevin, thanks for your question. I will do a video on this topic. I think I can provide more insight via video than by a short response here.

[@franmoorman68]

My son asked to meet with his attorney back on January 16 2019 and today is March 6 2019 and has not yet gotten a call back to get a meeting with his attorney. What a joke!

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

franmoorman68 that is completely unacceptable.

[@franmoorman68]

@@PeterJLamontEsq Exactly what I was saying.

[@cherryberry1669]

franmoorman68 girl report him and go to another attorney I have one of the best attorney in nyc and he gets back as soon as I send a email good luck

[@cherryberry1669]

franmoorman68 did you sign an agreement?

[@manaktala2]

My lawyer said she doesn’t like my text tone and texting her at 940pm

[@billyrevis2168]

If you have hired a lawyer to work on your case and your automobile has been in the shop for about two weeks waiting to be repaired and no one has even came to look at it, what to do?

[@deeannowens387]

I need a free legal aid, very mind damaging,an unjust circumstances, not at fault, West Texas

[@sherriebeazley8150]

I am trustee over my moms estate and I have called 6 times and waited 5 weeks and still have not received a call back. My sister who is just a heir called and he took her call and I tried to call him 2 times and he wasn't available. I am pissed. I didn't hire him but my mom had him do the trust for her. Since he won't call me back can I fire him as trustee since I feel like there's a conflict of interest

[@antoniotonino3383]

Same here. Honestly I feel very frustrated. I'm at my worst because I did paid my attorney in full for my divorce and in meantime he keeps ignoring my calls, emails. I'm pretty sure that he didn't even initiate, signed my paperwork s as well. I'm in dilemma should I fire him or just give myself some time. It's been months and I feel very confused 😕

[@JohnDoe-yh8rr]

Thats a huge watch

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

Ha! Moved to an Apple watch so wont see many big watches in newer videos.

[@JohnDoe-yh8rr]

@@PeterJLamontEsq do what you like man! Love your channel

[@paulmplsmn]

Is asking for a call every couple months out of line?

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

Not at all. Depending on the type of case, you make even need more frequent updates.

[@terrellwroten7596]

Not at all a great lawyer update client once a month

[@williamhusseyjr1143]

Hell it took ten minutes for him just to give reasons for people he doesn't know....

[@tfran235]

Lawyer took my retainer then ghosted me

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

Thanks is unethical and unacceptable.

[@MoeMoe-nu7vt]

Most of attorneys are the same

[@PeterJLamontEsq]

I agree. It horrible that so many attorneys fail to return calls. There is no reason why every attorney should not be the able to return calls or emails within 24 hours.