Law Offices of Cynthia L White

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2015/06/15) */
I do not understand the client's false claims. I was retained 2-12-13 to handle divorce action. The Summons and Petition for Dissolution was filed on behalf of the client the NEXT day on 2-13-13. A copy of the filing is attached. In fact the...

client was not charged extra for the emergency filing. The client was active duty military and scheduled to leave the States shortly after I was retained. He wanted the case to be heard in Kern County were he resided instead of San Bernardino County where his spouse resided. The client did not want specific visitation orders until he was discharged from the military and returned to California. However, the client's paperwork was done to the extent possible, until he was ready to move the case forward.
Once the client returned to CA, the Respondent filed a Request for Order regarding Custody and Visitation and an At-Issue Memo to set the case for trial. A copy of the court docket is attached. We spent several hours meeting and conferring as required by the court to negotiate a settlement or narrow the issues for trial. We were reaching agreements as to custody, visitation, transportation, etc. and identifying areas where the parties disagreed when the client decided to change attorneys.
The Client's mother paid me a total of $6,000. for attorney's fees and costs. Of that amount, $435 was used to pay the client's filing fee. Additional costs where used to pay the process server to serve the Respondent with the Summons and Petition. The client was sent period billing statements which indicated the use of his original retainer and the fees and costs that exceeded the fees paid to my office. The client NEVER object to any specific entry on his billing statement. He paid $6,000 and incurred fees and costs in the amount of $7,238.81, so he still owes my office $1,2328.81 for services performed. I can provide a copy of the billing statement if requested and allowed by the client.