Re: Beware Troy Titus - Posted by SpyBoy
Posted by SpyBoy on November 17, 2005 at 15:03:54:
Re; to MIM.
You stated;
“A professional never asks for money upfront” !!!???
I’m not sure of the attorneys that you deal with, nut it is emphatically not true that most attorneys will perform any services for you without an initial payment in advance. Have you heard of “retainer”?
Personally, I have never found one who would do so.
To the person who was ripped of by the attorney, if it was not more than your states small claims amount (or even if it is, but you can only get a small claims judgment that amount) you can bring an action in small claims court. Its easy, simple and they cater to non represented litigants. It can also be very empowering.
If you prevail you will get a judgment (money judgment). You will have a variety of enforcement rights to enforce that judgment; garnishment, lien on any owned real estate or personal property (auto, boat, etc.), possibly even a forced sale of assets.
You can also force a court appearence and he will be required to answer questions as to assets owned and/or controlled. If that particular lawyer is savvy, he likely has taken steps to protect assets from creditors, but you dont know unless you find out.
Since you likely have few, if any, other alternatives, you may determine that a small claims action is the way to go.
Good luck. Read Nolos Small Claims book and prepare properly. If he did rip you off he likely does not have any defense, although being an attorney, he will probobly just make something up.
SpyBoy