Daniel L. Freeland

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2017/11/27) */
I am writing this response to the letter dated November 17, 2017, 1 received with regards to the above referenced case with [redacted] . I dispute the facts, in large part, set forth in Ms. [redacted]' Complaint,
Ms. [redacted] originally came to see me...

on February 13, 2017, with regards to financial troubles she was having, After an hour and half consultation, it was determined Ms. [redacted] did not have all the information needed to evaluate her situation fully, so she set up a second appointment on February 21, 2017, to come back in and further discuss her financial situation. On February 21, 2017,1 met again with Ms. [redacted]. Her legal situation was complicated and we went over a number of scenarios and I gave Ms. [redacted] advice as to what she needed to do to get herself in a position to file a possible bankruptcy, Ms. [redacted] did not retain the office at this time but said she would be back in touch.
On May 9, 2017, Ms. [redacted] came back in for another consultation. At this meeting, Ms. [redacted] retained the office and decided to proceed with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It was explained to Ms. [redacted] that all of the fees and expenses would need to be paid before the Chapter 7 bankruptcy could be tiled. Ms. [redacted] signed the fee agreement which contained the bolded provision that "All fees must be paid in full prior to the date the Bankruptcy petition is filed with the Court unless agreed to otherwise in writing below". At no time was Ms. [redacted] told that her bankruptcy would be filed before all of the fees and expenses were paid in full. A copy of the Attorney Fee Agreement containing Ms. [redacted]' signature is attached hereto.
Over the next several months, Ms. [redacted] was repeatedly told the attorney fees and expenses had to be paid in full before her bankruptcy could be filed. Ms. [redacted] finally completed payments of the fees and expenses on October 31, 2017.

In the last month, my office has made several attempts to set up appointments with Ms. [redacted] to come in and complete the bankruptcy papers, but Ms. [redacted] could not come up with a time that would accommodate her schedule. My staff offered to come in early or stay late on different given days; however, Ms. [redacted] schedules did not accommodate the same. Rather, Ms. [redacted] sent a complaint to the Revdex.com of Northern Indiana.
I spoke with Ms. [redacted] earlier today regarding the Complaint she filed with the Revdex.com of Northern Indiana. I explained to her that my office disputes her contention that she was told by either myself or anyone an my staff that the bankruptcy would be filed before the fees were paid. She acknowledged that perhaps she misunderstood. Ms. [redacted] was advised that my office stands willing and able to complete her bankruptcy as she contracted with -us to do. She just needs to set up an appointment to come in and finish the paperwork and do her credit counseling,
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Unless I hear otherwise, I will deem this response satisfactory and await hearing from Ms. [redacted] when she is ready to move forward with her bankruptcy filing. In the event Ms. [redacted] does not wish to continue with her bankruptcy as offered, we'd be happy to sit down with her and determine the amount of a refund she would be given. Ms. [redacted] was told this and was pointed to the provision in the agreement that discusses how refunds will be calculated when clients decide not to proceed. Thank you.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2017/12/10) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
[redacted]
Case # XXXXXXXX
Re: [redacted] associate of [redacted] L. Freeland P.C
To whom it [redacted] concern:
I am writing to respond to Mrs. [redacted] dispute to the above reference case that I filed on November 16, 2017. I do not agree with her response and wish to move forward in receiving a refund.
Mrs. [redacted] attached a copy of the Attorney Fee Agreement from May, 17th. This agreement is a standard agreement in which mostly states several different bankruptcy scenarios on which they will charge more money and reserve the right to do so. However, before signing the document, both times we meet I plainly asked [redacted] when will the bankruptcy be filed and I received the same response from her, "Once you pay the majority of the fees off and it gets down to the last few hundred dollars I will go ahead and file your case". After hearing these words and due to the urgency of my financial situation I did sign the document. I also had a conversation about filing my case with her paralegal after I paid about 80-90% of the fees off, who at that time asked [redacted] if it was time to file the case. The first law and still abiding law of ethics was derived from a verbal contract and most often before any written document is signed a verbal contract or consent has been established. A verbal contract is defined by Webster dictionary as binding and valid. I find it more alarming and disrespectful that in her response letter that she blatantly denied our conversations with her or her staff. [redacted] did promptly call me after receiving her letter from the Revdex.com, which I must add was the first and only phone call I ever received from her throughout our acquaintance, during our conversation she misinterpreted my meaning of misunderstood. What I was referring to was perhaps I misunderstood the genuineness, professionalism, and guarantee of the words that she spoke to me as my lawyer. If she does not stand by the words of honor that she speaks me, I find it difficult that she will stand by my best interest in my case.

There is a more in depth dissatisfaction of service besides the back and forth of whither words were exchanged. I do not agree with [redacted] response that her office has made several attempts to set up an appointment to complete papers. Each initiative to move forward or meet has been initiated by me, when I call there office. There office has never followed up with me on any matter except through mailed statements stating I still owe remaining fees. The latest time I was offered to meet with some one was 5pm on two occasions, other than that, I have repeatedly been told that no one will be in the office after 4:00-4:30pm with no weekends. Instead, I was repeatedly asked if I could come early during the day. Just this past week I tried to contact the office manager to gain information about the process of receiving a refund and I was told that the I must speak to the office manager but she changed her hours and now only comes in on Fridays. I then called on Friday evening but found out that the office closes at 2:00pm on Fridays. This shows how inconsiderate this law office is to their clients. I ask, "What kind of service are you giving to your clients if you expect them to only work around hours that are convenient only for your establishment"?
Due to these events I feel it is in my best interest to receive a refund in order to get better representation that is going to be in my favor. I originally came to [redacted] seeking help instead I am in more distress and triple the financial burdens combined with the money that I managed to come up with to pay their fees in full. I hope this firm reevaluates there obligations, devotions, and compassion to there clients for I pray for those who come to them in the future. If [redacted] stands for a honorable and respectful firm knowing the financial burdens that this situation has further put me in, out of good faith, they should refund me back all my money in order for me to get efficient help somewhere else. Thank you for your time with this matter and God bless you.
Sincerely,
[redacted]