We've added another new video to our ever-expanding YouTube channel. This one is all about estate litigation - what's involved and what it costs. As always our channel is free to watch.
I sent your YouTube re 'Estate Litigation' to a friend and this is his response. [She is an outstanding person, WOW, on lawyer costs even if 'I mail you something', minimum on this video $30,000., and still getting no where. Big city ‘more money’ curious because of court volume, takes longer, clock is always running in the lawyers office, what a shame!]
Costs really do vary from lawyer to lawyer. I have been told by a few lawyers here in town that I'm "one of the most expensive" ones around (though clients never say that). But I know that some lawyers in big cities like Toronto charge easily twice or three times what I charge per hour.
Usually the clock is running, especially for litigation matters. I try to use a flat, set fee for things whenever I can, mostly so that my clients know what the fee is going to be in advance. In litigation that doesn't usually work because it's impossible to know in advance where things are going to go.
Lawyer costs are expected for services rendered, but, lawyer costs when lawyers drag out Estate Matters are not acceptable. Some lawyers are bent and that is a fact. Not all lawyers are created equal. Some are not worth the lowest hourly rate while others are worth every penny. Lawyers have an obligation to their clients, not their lawyer friends. I believe this to be a problem in smaller towns and cities. TBC
Yes. some lawyers are "bent". So are some doctors, some hairdressers, some mechanics, some accountants, some everything. Some people suck, no matter what job they do.
But seriously, do you really think anyone actually delays their own paying work and risks their license to practice to make their friends happy? That is simply not the case. Nobody - and I mean absolutely nobody - has time or interest in doing that.
More than 200 Canadian lawyers who were disciplined by their law societies between 2010 and 2015 misappropriated about $160 million of their clients' funds, a CBC News investigation has found.
But most of those lawyers were never charged with crimes. CBC could find evidence of criminal prosecutions involving fewer than 10 per cent of the total number of disciplined lawyers in that time frame. More -see link below. Me-This article only covers the area of misappropriation of client funds. There are many other areas that need to be reviewed. The LSO gets about 3000 complaints or so a year. Many people do not complain because they are aware of the odds. It can take months beyond a year by the time the complaint is filed, is rejected and followed by an appeal. To be sure the complainant had better be 'squeaky' clean. That does not apply to lawyers. Lynne, I would agree with you, that most lawyers are not 'bent'. I am referring to those that are. In the past 15 years with reference to my matter I have learned a 'fair bit' about the process. Most people would have given up. You can guess who the winners are. TBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/lawyers-misappropriated-millions-1.3981266
I sent your YouTube re 'Estate Litigation' to a friend and this is his response.
ReplyDelete[She is an outstanding person, WOW, on lawyer costs even if 'I mail you something', minimum on this video $30,000., and still getting no where. Big city ‘more money’ curious because of court volume, takes longer, clock is always running in the lawyers office, what a shame!]
Webeye
Costs really do vary from lawyer to lawyer. I have been told by a few lawyers here in town that I'm "one of the most expensive" ones around (though clients never say that). But I know that some lawyers in big cities like Toronto charge easily twice or three times what I charge per hour.
DeleteUsually the clock is running, especially for litigation matters. I try to use a flat, set fee for things whenever I can, mostly so that my clients know what the fee is going to be in advance. In litigation that doesn't usually work because it's impossible to know in advance where things are going to go.
Lynne
What is the link to your YouTube channel?
ReplyDeleteThis should take you there: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCREXCXMaFbNoLag0I62Ttlg
DeleteIf you have trouble getting there, just google "Youtube butler wills and estates" and it will take you there.
Lynne
Lawyer costs are expected for services rendered, but, lawyer costs when lawyers drag out Estate Matters are not acceptable. Some lawyers are bent and that is a fact. Not all lawyers are created equal. Some are not worth the lowest hourly rate while others are worth every penny. Lawyers have an obligation to their clients, not their lawyer friends. I believe this to be a problem in smaller towns and cities. TBC
ReplyDeleteWebeye
Yes. some lawyers are "bent". So are some doctors, some hairdressers, some mechanics, some accountants, some everything. Some people suck, no matter what job they do.
DeleteBut seriously, do you really think anyone actually delays their own paying work and risks their license to practice to make their friends happy? That is simply not the case. Nobody - and I mean absolutely nobody - has time or interest in doing that.
Lynne
More than 200 Canadian lawyers who were disciplined by their law societies between 2010 and 2015 misappropriated about $160 million of their clients' funds, a CBC News investigation has found.
ReplyDeleteBut most of those lawyers were never charged with crimes. CBC could find evidence of criminal prosecutions involving fewer than 10 per cent of the total number of disciplined lawyers in that time frame. More -see link below.
Me-This article only covers the area of misappropriation of client funds. There are many other areas that need to be reviewed. The LSO gets about 3000 complaints or so a year. Many people do not complain because they are aware of the odds. It can take months beyond a year by the time the complaint is filed, is rejected and followed by an appeal. To be sure the complainant had better be 'squeaky' clean. That does not apply to lawyers.
Lynne, I would agree with you, that most lawyers are not 'bent'. I am referring to those that are. In the past 15 years with reference to my matter I have learned a 'fair bit' about the process. Most people would have given up. You can guess who the winners are. TBC.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/lawyers-misappropriated-millions-1.3981266
Webeye