When is it too Late to Fire your Attorney?

As a client, you have the legal right to fire your attorney at any time during your family law case. But it is worthwhile to consider the consequences of doing so. In some instances, changing attorneys may disrupt your case progress and increase costs. On the other hand, if you are unhappy with your current attorney, you have every right to dismiss their services and hire a new one. 

So when is it too late to fire your attorney? 

Firing your attorney is a big decision, and shouldn't be taken lightly. But if your attorney isn't communicative, lacks ethics or empathy for your case, disagrees with your strategy, or charges an additional fee - you are left with no option but to fire your attorney. 

Firing your Attorney at the Wrong Time can be Detrimental to your Case

Courts mostly allow change of attorneys during the trial. But before you take such a step, you should know the reason for terminating their services, the possible repercussions to your case, and whether a new attorney can make a significant difference to your case. Depending on the stage your case is at, changing lawyers may lead to problems. 

Your new attorney will need time to review all case-related documents and evidence before they create a strategy. Even then, their tactics may differ from your previous attorney, potentially reversing all the progress made in your case. All this may lead to more time and costs while delaying a resolution to your dispute. 

In addition, if your previous counsel made 

significant progress in your case, they may be entitled to their complete fee under the agreement. 

If you're thinking of switching attorneys, contact Jos Family Law at (714) 733-7066 or jos@josfamilylaw.com. We will explain your options and let you know if changing attorneys is within your interests.