Ameriwest Electric L.L.C.

I would like to preface this response saying that the person that submitted this complaint was never a client of A People's Choice nor did we have any signed contract for any services with Irene Siegmund.The client who retained our services for a QDRO was *** W***Our contract was to prepare
and file a QDRO:FACTS:On June 11, 2015, after being approved by the Plan Administrator, the QDRO that we prepared and were contracted to prepare was approved by the Judge and signed. On June 15, our office emailed a copy of the filed QDRO to MsW***, our client as well as mailed a certified copy to the Plan Administrator listed in the QDRO. On June 29th, 2015, at the request of the client, we also mailed a printed copy of the filed QDRO to the client, Ms*** W***.The client claims the Plan Administrator lost the certified copy of the filed QDRO we mailed to them and requested another be obtained and sent to them againWe advised the client that there would be an additional fee to obtain a 2nd certified copy of the documentWe also suggested they could obtain another certified copy themselves directly from the court. Our services have been completed since JuneWe explained to the client both options; however they do not want to pay to obtain a duplicate certified copy of the Order so there is nothing further we can do to assist them. It should be noted that the real client, ***, was very appreciative and complimentary of our services throughoutIt was only after this unknown third party, Irene got involved, with whom we had absolutely no contractual relationship, when we became subject to demanding emails for additional services outside the scope of our contract.We have sent the client a conformed copy of the QDROIf she requires another CERTIFIED copy the client merely needs to request that copy from the court and pay for it or prepay our office to obtain itWe have relayed this information to the client multiple times.We are happy to email the Revdex.com a conformed copy of the filed QDRO upon request

This client signed up for our services through our online system on Sunday, February 12, at 1:pmA copy of the pdf contract that the client electronically approved/signed is attachedOn February at 3:pm we received his completed online data (copy attached) We subsequently spoke
with this client at length on the phone on Monday, February 13th and indicated to him at that time that would be preparing his documents based on the information he submitted submittedOur contract specifically states that "NOTICE you are being informed that all or the majority of the above-referenced documents may be substantially prepared at your appointment or within the first hours after receipt of your contract)On Tuesday,, February 14th, our staff prepared his documents with the data and information the client had submitted to us on February The completed documents were “in review” when we received an email today indicating that he and his wife were attempting reconciliation and wanted a refundWe immediately responded to the client indicating that we had already prepared the documents and emailed him all of the documents in pdf form that we had prepared. As our contract specifically states, clients are specifically told that our office prepares all of the required paperwork for these types of cases on the FRONT END of the caseI am attaching part what was prepared (there are actually documents that were prepared but we can only upload through your system.) The client did also pay for deeds which were not prepared and we can refund the fee of $for those documents since nothing was doneHowever with regards to the divorce, all paperwork was prepared at the client per the electronic contract he signed online, the client was aware that the documents would be prepared immediately and there is no other refund due regarding that paperworkAs a courtesy, we have processed a refund for $for the deeds that we did not prepare, even though the fees are non-refundable per our contract

Complaint:
I am rejecting this response because:In the beginning I spoke to the company on behalf of my friendHer english is limited While on the phone with S*** ***, my friend *** W*** gave verbal permission for me to relay her concerns and questions We were never informed of the option to obtainanother "signed" copy for a fee We most certainly would have taken the offer It seems silly that we would say to the S*** *** and her assistant over and over again if we can pick up the copy once they received it from the court and, please not send it directly to the401K company (TransAmerica) and not get an original copy if we knew if was an option The emails we received were vague and a brushoff At one point she told my friend *** W*** that the document had been sent to TransAmericaThen told me that the next"if you haven'theard anything there is nothing to report" I inquired about when we could pick up the document that was not supposed to be sent to the courtAt that point the document had already been sent by S*** *** to Transamerica During the numerousrequests to please let us know when they received the document so we can pick it up we were never told getting an original signed copy for a nominal fee was never mentioned nor were we told the process until I pushed and asked VERY specific questions. for ourselves
Regards,
I*** ***

This client hired our office for an uncontested divorce proceeding on 3/31/Documents were immediately prepared and submitted to the court for filing on 4/1/16.On 4/4/16, upon receiving the filed documents back from the court we emailed the client about picking up the packages from our office
As a courtesy, we also attempted to call her but her number was disconnected.On 4/7/we received an email from the client indicating she wanted to dismiss the caseHer email indicated: “in light of my poor health and disabilities…I request dismissal of subject filed divorce case“Upon receipt of this email we again tried to reach her by phone to confirm her intentions but the telephone number she had provided to us was not workingWe made a note in the file and brought her documents in from our pick up drop boxWe also sent her email to call us.On 4/19/we received an email from the client indicating she had been very sickWe told her we would put her matter in hold until we heard back from her.On 4/28/we received a very confusing and convoluted email from the client addressing issues regarding the marriage that was completely different than what she had originally relayed to us.On 4/30/we noted the file to wait until the client decided how she wanted to serve the papers on her spouse.On 5/3/we received an email from the client indicating “Seems odd that I don't see a lot of email sent back and forthCancel my relationship with Peoples choice and return whatever refund is due to I*** ***.” It should be noted that up to this point in time there had been emails between our office and the client.On 5/3/16, in response to her email, we replied: “We did receive several emails that seemed to be information emails but nothing requiring a response from us in that there were no questions presented in themThe emails appeared to be more of your venting your frustration with your spouse and had absolutely nothing to do with the legal process or our services. We are more than happy to close our file in this matter but you are beyond the cancellation period and should you no longer wish to continue, there would be no refund duePer your request, we shall be closing our file unless we hear from you within hours to the contrary.”On 5/4/we received an email from the client simply saying: “This is not over.”Shortly after receiving this email, later in the afternoon on 5/4/we received an email from the client indicating she wanted our office to arrange for personal service and would be bringing by $for personal service by that Thursday.The client never showed upA notation was made to the file that this client was exhibiting very erratic behavior and giving us mixed messages about her intentions in proceeding on this matter.On 5/11/16, we received an email from the client: ” Questions my attorney told me to ask:1) Is your service affiliated with Ventura County's Family Law? 2) Does your service provide a fee breakdown list? 3) Does your service provide prior similar case examples (not using names)? On 5/12/we responded to the client’s questions: “1) We are a private Registered legal document assistant as required under California lawWe are not a county agency2) Our services are flat fees and cover the preparation of all or part of documents identified in the contract for services 3) All documents are custom preparedWe do not have nor give out samplesOn May 12, at the end of the day, we received another email from the client: “My research indicates that you are a paralegal serviceI don't need to deal with your overpriced serviceI'll stay married insteadI will no longer require your services and will be in contact with the Federal Marshall, etcfor my refund.”That same day our office responded by email: “We are not a paralegal serviceWe are a registered legal document assistantFeel free to contact the County of Ventura to confirmOur LDA registration is also in this email belowWe are tired of your threats and will be closing our fileWe have fully complied with our contract for services.”On 5/12/the file was “flagged” due to the numerous conflicting and erratic emails we received from the client that made no sense. On 5/13/we again emailed the client: “Please make arrangements to pick up the documents that were filed in your behalf or confirm an address we can mail them to.” Between 5/13/and 2/13/we heard nothing further from the client.On 2/13/17, out of the blue, we received an email from the client: “In March 2016, I hired your firm to help me with divorce proceedingsTo my recollection, your firm agreed to put my case on hold due to a serious illness in which included ICU for days I do recall we were in the process of "serving" my spouseMy main goal now is to proceed, if possible, due to my toxic marital relationshipPlease let me know the status and whatever I need to do or pay the courtsAlso, please let know if I should now go thru the court's family law process.”On 2/16/we followed up with the client to by phone to again have her pick up on her packages of filed paperwork that we had been holding since 4/(months)We left a message and sent an email.On 2/17/we received an email from the client indicating she would be picking up the packages the upcoming Monday or Tuesday.The client never came by to pick up her paperwork.On 2/22/we received an email from the client: “Ok! so where's my refund? Attorney will not only be for divorce.”On 2/23/we replied: “Ilona - I have no idea what you are talking about when you ask "where is my refund" There is no refund due you On 2/we left you a message to pick up your filed paperwork from our office so that your spouse could be served You said you would be by to do so but indicated you have the flu”. About a week ago the client finally came into the office and picked up the filed packages of documentsWe also provided her with instructions regarding service since she had not retained our office to facilitate that.On 3/20/our office received an email from the client: “I'm sure I'll need legal assistance due to required assisted living or home-care during this processRespondent controls all $ and my medical condition is worsening due to his current absence for days.”We immediately responded by email: “The court will mail all notices to the address on fileYou may want to file a motion for spousal support if you feel that would be appropriateI recognize that you are having severe emotional and medical issues and we are certainly willing to help you within the scope of what we can doI do have concerns that, under your condition, this may be more than you can handle, even with our help.”Today 3/22/we received another confrontational email from the client accusing us of being unprofessional because we had acknowledged and referenced her "severe illness" in an email to herShe seemed to think this was a derogatory comment when we were actually trying to acknowledge her situation and make sure she was going to be able to successfully complete the processWe immediately apologized for any misunderstanding and reiterated that it was not our intention to be derogatory in any way but simply to acknowledge the medical issues she had been facingShe herself had routinely referenced her illness and the stress of the divorce as causing emotional and physical distress, indicating she was getting daily stress rashes, unable to eat, sleep, and had been in the hospital in ICU for several daysTo us this constitutes "severe illness." (see email notated above)Since the inception of this case there have been separate email communications between our office and the client in addition to untracked phone callsWe have tried to deal with the erratic behaviors of this client as best we could in a professional and positive manner. All of the documents that the client paid for were prepared and filedIt is not accurate that the client simply was provided expensive forms to process herselfThe documents were not only fully prepared by our office but were also filed with the court almost a year agoFor over months the client failed to follow through with picking up the filed paperwork nor to have our office arrange service of processAs a result, the packages were given to her to make the necessary arrangements to have a friend serve them.Our contract specifically indicates that emails are free and the incoming phone calls are changedIt should be noted, however, that our office has not assessed any additional charged for the incoming calls that the client has made to our office in this matterWe have made every effort to work with this client but absolutely nothing that we do seems to satisfy herWe receive random emails firing us and then immediately afterwards requesting our office to proceed. We have fulfilled our contractual obligation in this matter and there is no refund due

We stand behind our original response. If the client requires a duplicate certified copy of the filed order from the court it needs to be ordered through the court and their fee paid for same. Confirmed copies of the filed order were both emailed and mailed to the client and the plan administrator. We do not have authority to issue a certified copy of a court order.

Complaint: 10755924
I am rejecting this response because:
I see no resolution offered by the company for their error. They say "If the client requires a duplicate certified copy of the order from the the it needs to be ordered through the court and their fee paid for the same". Does that mean [redacted] and I need to go directly to th4e court and order a certified copy? Then court has a copy in their files that can be certified? I think at least to resolve this issue we should be paid for our time and gas to go to the court and spend hours doing what could have been avoided if the S[redacted] had done what we asked originally on numerous occasions of both her and her assistant. 
Regards,
I[redacted]