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Mtk1605
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/11 460 total posts
Name:
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INFURIATED **updated** in original post
We are closing on our first home tomorrow. My attorney calls me today to give us our final numbers.....all is fine until he says "oh and my bill" ....
Now when we started this he gave us his fee of $2500 and asked us for a retainer of $2000, leaving us with a balance of $500. Also stating if he goes over on hours an "exorbitent" amount he will let us know. I knew this was on the VERY high end but he was at our wedding, he has been my client for 13 years and also my in laws/dh's neighbor for 17 years so we knew he would take care of us.
So back today... he says we went WAY over on his estimated hours and now our final bill that we owe him tomorrow is not the $500 anticipated...it's $3700
I nearly fainted WHAT??? You tell me less than 24 hours before closing??...what exactly did he do that he deserves a total of $5700 for a closing??? He took 2 weeks to call me back, he was condescending and ALWAYS spoke down to me, he made me feel like I was stupid bc I didn't know the home buying process...I never bought a home!! I don't know the process, plus I thought that was why we were paying him.
So if you got this far, thank you! I need to vent bc I have no more tears. I am disgusted by how heartless he is. Where am I going to come up with that extra $$$
*there is one update within the comments below
2nd update 11/29/12-
The lawyer called DH yesterday and said he re reviewed the bill, he is sorry we were unhappy with his service...DH let him know we were not unhappy with his service, we were blindsided by the bill a day before closing. He lessened his fee from $250/hr to $75/hr so we now owe him $962.
As you know I do not want to pay him one single penny but DH is a push over and just wants the drama to end
The drama being when he approached us at the closing table with the bill and I responded the way I did, what I didn't know is he walked across the hall, closed the door and called my boss to see what he did wrong and why I was so upset? My boss is like a mom to me and she also a VERY good friend to him so she told him how it was and he said he honestly had no idea we would be that upset and he would re review it.
I spoke to dh's parents last night and for them and only for them (since they are the lawyers neighbor and friend) the bill will be paid and he will just be a part of my past and a mistake that I have learned a great deal from.
Like I said, I now have a home with my husband and in the grand scheme of things that's a wonderful accomplishment that I would rather celebrate :)
Thank you all for having my back on this, you ladies never let me down :) I look forward to your help in decorating and recommendations on paint colors and furniture!
Message edited 11/29/2012 9:40:58 AM.
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Posted 11/26/12 8:34 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate |
Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: INFURIATED
$5,700 for a closing is absurd unless there were some major issues going on. You have every right to request a detailed bill.
Also, if he is a family "friend", he should be fine with waiting a day or two for payment while you review the detailed bill.
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| Posted 11/26/12 8:39 PM |
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Re: INFURIATED
There's something way off here.
Granted, we bought a small starter house in 2008 but I don't think our attorney fee in total was more than $1K.
This was for someone at a practice in the Massapequa area.
ETA: We met with her at least 3 times too, not to mention whatever work she did behind the scenes.
Message edited 11/26/2012 9:05:38 PM.
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| Posted 11/26/12 9:04 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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INFURIATED
That is a lot of money for a closing unless there were major issues. I would ask for a detailed break down of his hours.
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| Posted 11/26/12 9:10 PM |
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maymama
my little loves
Member since 8/08 18453 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
insane. both times we closed, it was between 1-1.5k
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| Posted 11/26/12 9:29 PM |
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Mtk1605
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/11 460 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
I will be asking for an itemized bill tomorrow at the closing. This was a short sale, it only took four months. And there was nothing crazy. The sellers attorney did most of the work.
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| Posted 11/26/12 9:30 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: INFURIATED
Posted by MrsG823
That is a lot of money for a closing unless there were major issues. I would ask for a detailed break down of his hours.
ITA... that is crazy!
When we bought our first home we had some crazy issues that our lawyer had to deal with and he upped it from about $1,200 to $2,000 - he increased it by 800 bucks because we had major stuff and it took six months to close!! So, that was crazy circumstances and it was only increased by 800 bucks so IDK, something is really wrong.
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| Posted 11/26/12 9:38 PM |
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cds58019
The loves of my life :)
Member since 6/08 4276 total posts
Name:
Candice
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Re: INFURIATED
There is something very wrong with that! I would want a very detailed bill b/c I can't possibly see how he could come up with that. And this is a friend of the family?? Even worse!
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| Posted 11/26/12 10:23 PM |
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Bearcat
Love my little girls!!! <3
Member since 6/10 10818 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: INFURIATED
That is absolutely astronomical. There is no way a residential closing warrants a fee that high. I think even the baseline fee was very high. Insane.
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| Posted 11/27/12 6:29 AM |
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DumpsterBaby
My compass when I'm lost
Member since 5/11 2210 total posts
Name:
My anchor when I get tossed
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INFURIATED
That is insane! Literally insane! My lawyer is charging a flat fee of $1k and let me tell you that we've had probably the craziest, most dramatic, most ridiculous issues he's ever dealt with and it's still only $1k and we've been in contract since April. If anything, he's got a right to charge me $6k because of how much he's done! You have every right to ask for an itemized bill and/or confront him about his payment after closing.
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| Posted 11/27/12 6:46 AM |
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Hope2009
Thankful
Member since 1/09 4429 total posts
Name:
A
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INFURIATED
wow, sorry about that. That's insane amount of $, I closed back in June and it was closer to the amount of the other posters. I made sure I asked what the fee was before hiring her though. I sure couldn't deal with a surprise at closing.
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| Posted 11/27/12 7:06 AM |
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AKD
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 2637 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
Oh no! I'm so sorry you have to deal w/ that. I agree with everyone, that price is ridiculous. I think ours was $1750, but that was a flat fee all along and we were fine paying a bit higher because he's absolutely amazing. I hope you get it resolved and don't have to pay a penny more than $2,500! Sorry you have to deal w/ this stress before closing :(
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| Posted 11/27/12 8:02 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: INFURIATED
not right at all. I would demand an itemized bill today before closing.
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| Posted 11/27/12 8:55 AM |
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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9924 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
Your attorney is charging you by the hour?
I work for a large law firm and we do mainly east end closings. Our fee is flat rate and usually in accordance with the price of the home. Our average flat rate fee is 3K (plus disbursements). This is assuming there are no major zoning issues (in that case we would draw up a separate retainer agreement).
(we never ask for a retainer upfront)
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| Posted 11/27/12 9:12 AM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4289 total posts
Name:
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INFURIATED
He is taking advantage of you.
First asked for a detailed bil..
Second, let him know that standard prctice, in general is for a flat fee. (You didnt agree to this upfront, so caveat emptor unfortunatly)
Thirdly, let him know he had an obligation to let you know about the bill. Its practically malpractice for him to run up a bill over 100% of the original price and NOT tell you.
He is taking advantage of you.
ETA. You can also let him know (if he pushes) that you will report him to the Bar for taking advantage and shady business practices. Also the BBB.
Message edited 11/27/2012 10:16:57 AM.
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| Posted 11/27/12 10:15 AM |
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Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
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Re: INFURIATED
I would have blown a freakin gasket!!
We had a friend/neighbor as our attorney when we bought our first home too a few months ago. He charged us $800. He held our hand through the whole process, sat down with us on many occasions to explain the entire process in detail, give us advice and answer ALL of our questions (some of which I KNOW must have sounded silly), and never once talked down to us or made us feel stupid in any way.
You are being seriously taken advantage of. I don't know what I would do, no way would I let him get away with that. For a standard residential closing with no issues I honestly think even the original $2,500 is pushing it considering you and your family have a long history with him.
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| Posted 11/27/12 10:24 AM |
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photoshopbabe
wow....
Member since 5/07 2197 total posts
Name:
linda
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Re: INFURIATED
3700??
I think I just threw up.
Unless this guy was sucking off everyone in the place, I don't know where he can come off charging 3700.
I'm paying 900 for my lawyer. W T F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted 11/27/12 10:41 AM |
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summertime
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/10 852 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
$1500 max for real estate attorney, anything more and you are being ripped off!!
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| Posted 11/27/12 10:44 AM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4289 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
Posted by photoshopbabe
3700??
I think I just threw up.
Unless this guy was sucking off everyone in the place, I don't know where he can come off charging 3700.
I'm paying 900 for my lawyer. W T F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No no.
thats on TOP OF the $2000 they gave him.
$5700 for a closing ^%$#?????
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| Posted 11/27/12 10:45 AM |
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photoshopbabe
wow....
Member since 5/07 2197 total posts
Name:
linda
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Re: INFURIATED
Posted by Paramount
Posted by photoshopbabe
3700??
I think I just threw up.
Unless this guy was sucking off everyone in the place, I don't know where he can come off charging 3700.
I'm paying 900 for my lawyer. W T F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No no.
thats on TOP OF the $2000 they gave him.
$5700 for a closing ^%$#?????
5700. 5700. W T F. NO NO NO NO NO NO.
What did the lawyer actually DO for you??? And hes a "friend"?? This is why I will never do business with a friend. ABSOLUTELY NOT.
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| Posted 11/27/12 10:51 AM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: INFURIATED
what?????
I have never heard of a real estate attorney charging more then $1200- the 2 I use charge about $1K each and are excellent
is this not a real estate attorney?
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| Posted 11/27/12 11:17 AM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: INFURIATED
Posted by photoshopbabe
3700??
I think I just threw up.
Unless this guy was sucking off everyone in the place, I don't know where he can come off charging 3700.
I'm sorry to laugh, I'm not laughing at the OP's situation because I feel so bad and it's so unfair but THIS made me spit water out on my desk 
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| Posted 11/27/12 11:50 AM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4289 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
Again...$5700. There is an EXTRA $3200 OVER the $2000 retainer.
::ducks from more spitting:::
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| Posted 11/27/12 12:02 PM |
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NaturalMom
LIF Infant
Member since 8/12 239 total posts
Name:
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Re: INFURIATED
Does your retainer say anything about what the total fee will be? Are you in Suffolk? here is a link to the suffolk county fee dispute resolution program http://www.scba.org/eva/index.php?p=attorneyClientFeeDisputeResolutionProgramSuffolkCounty
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| Posted 11/27/12 12:03 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: INFURIATED
Is he a real estate attorney? Maybe he's just doing this on the side and doesn't know what a RE atty charges?
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| Posted 11/27/12 12:05 PM |
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