ComplaintsforHafford Elder Law Planning

• Initial Complaint

  05/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had a meeting with ***** Hafford on May 13, 2024 to explain and discuss a prenuptial agreement for me and my fiance. During the meeting, she did not thoroughly explain the prenup. She just kept saying that my fiance makes too much and he is taking advantage of me, even to the extent of bringing his family into the conversation and how we would have issues with our marriage because he is close to his family. She was wanting to start negotiations with his lawyer not asking me for my opinion. I felt as if she was just wanting to run up the bill. At the end of the meeting she did say talk with my fiance and if I choose to sign it, she will finish the paperwork. The next day I called for her to finish the paperwork, since I choose to sign, and left a message. I called her a couple times and could not get ***** to call back. Finally the receptionist called and said I had an invoice and an envelope to pick up. I went to pay the invoice on May 20, 2024 and asked the receptionist if this was the prenup I asked her to sign, She was unaware. The envelop was a letter of her firing me as a client unless I did what she wanted me to do. Not only would she not talk to me, but charged me to right the letter I did not ask for. Charged me for a service she did not complete and brought her personal feelings into a meeting that was not professional. She still will not talk to me about the issue and I feel she took advantage of me as well as was trying manipulate me. I even wrote a letter to reach out to her about this subject to request a refund since i have to hire someone else to do the job she was paid for to no avail. She went against the agreement in which she had me sign stating that, ""The attorney will abide by the client's decision" under the representation paragraph A.

  Business response

  05/28/2024

   I am sorry that there was a misunderstanding between my client and myself in this matter. I took time to review the document and to meet with **************. In the meeting, I gave her advice that I would give to any client in a similar situation, but which I am not at liberty to disclose in this setting due to client confidentiality. I believe that my client may have taken offense to some of what we discussed and also that she may have misunderstood my advice at times. I later received a message that indicated she no longer needed my services and she was billed appropriately. If she wished further communication with my office, we were available for it, as we always are to clients who have questions or wish to discuss their case. If ************** currently wishes to discuss this matter, she may call my office at any time to do that. 

  Customer response

  05/29/2024

  Complaint: 21766444
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  If there was a misunderstanding, it was not on my side. I have no problem paying for a completed job. Under the contract, it states that the attorney will abide by the client's decision concerning objectives of representation, see attached. Also, attached is the letter written by ***** closing my file before the job was completed. I called her office to talk with *****, my attorney, to complete the pre-nuptial agreement. I was unable to talk with her once again and left a message with the receptionist. Instead of returning my call, I get a letter stating, that they are closing my file and will only reopen it to initiate negotiations. In the review of the document, ***** should have noticed that I had to have my attorney's signature to complete this document. I called ***** to set an appointment to complete it. I never received a call back just an invoice and a letter stating my file was closed. No where did I say *****'s services were no longer needed, just that I was alright with the document the way it was against her concerns. I was billed for an incomplete job that was closed out before it was completed. Forcing me to hire another attorney to complete the job ***** was originally hired for. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  05/30/2024

  Due to the privileged nature of attorney client communications, I cannot release details of activity from the client's file. I disagree with statements made by the client in this Complaint and have always been available to discuss the client's case, but with the client only. 

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