Favorable Resolution To Billing Dispute Issues Concerning Attorneys
Are you are involved in a billing dispute with a former attorney? You may have hesitations about taking legal action against a prior attorney. But it is important to remember that a billing dispute will not work itself out. When the financial stakes are high, ensure that your rights are protected by an experienced legal malpractice attorney.
Attorney William Brent Ney of Ney Rhein, LLC, in Atlanta, can help you understand your options and pursue a course of legal action. He will listen to your concerns and negotiate to provide you with the best possible resolution to your matter.
IOLTA Mishandling In Attorney Billing Disputes
When dealing with billing disputes involving attorneys, one of the most serious issues that can arise is the mishandling of Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA). These accounts serve a crucial purpose in legal practice and their misuse can have severe consequences for clients.
Understanding IOLTA Accounts
An IOLTA account is a specialized trust account where attorneys must deposit client funds that are either nominal in amount or held for a short period. These pooled accounts generate interest that supports legal aid services and other charitable legal programs. Attorneys are legally and ethically required to maintain a strict separation between client funds in IOLTA accounts and their own business operating accounts.
Common problems with trust account handling include:
- Misappropriation of settlement funds: Attorneys may fail to properly allocate settlement money toward medical bills or outstanding liens, instead diverting funds for unauthorized purposes
- Improper fee calculations: Some attorneys may overcharge on contingency fees or withdraw fees before they are earned
- Commingling of funds: Mixing client funds with the attorney’s business funds, which is strictly prohibited
- Failure to pay third parties: Not paying medical providers, lienholders or other parties entitled to portions of settlement funds
These violations can significantly impact your case and financial situation. If you suspect trust account mishandling, you need strong representation to examine the records and recover your funds.
Legal Recourse For IOLTA Violations
If you suspect your attorney has mishandled your IOLTA funds, several options are available:
- File a complaint with the state bar association
- Seek representation from a legal malpractice attorney
- Request an audit of the attorney’s trust account records
- Pursue civil litigation to recover misappropriated funds
The Ney Rhein, LLC, team, including billing disputes attorney William Brent Ney, understands the complexity of IOLTA violations and their impact on clients. Our experienced legal malpractice lawyer can investigate potential trust account violations and help you recover funds that were improperly handled. We work diligently to hold attorneys accountable for breaches of their fiduciary duty and help ensure the proper resolution of billing disputes involving trust account mismanagement.
Having Legal Representation On Your Side
Billing disputes with an attorney can be difficult to resolve. While billing disputes are the result of miscommunication or misunderstanding, sometimes they are the result of unfair business practices. Whatever the circumstances, it is important to get outside advice from a Georgia legal malpractice lawyer who can evaluate your case and help you pursue an appropriate course of legal action.
Ney Rhein, LLC will do what is necessary to resolve your billing dispute matter. We are the law firm that holds other attorneys accountable for mistakes and unethical billing practices.
Speak To Us Today To Find Out More
To learn about all of your legal options for resolving a fee dispute, contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation. You can reach our firm by calling 404-963-9519.