ComplaintsforLacy, Campbell & Munique, PC

• Initial Complaint

  12/28/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  After my husband's passing, I sought advice ONLY from Mr. Charles Lacy. After consulting for 1 hr 15 minutes, I was notified that some documents were ready for me to pick up. Then I was notified that he had a new advanced directive, medical power of attorney, and durable general power of attorney ready for me to sign and pick up. None of these documents were asked for because I was happy with what I already had. Then I received a call to come and pick up these documents insisting that I needed them. Not wanting to cause problems, I pick up the documents and paid $66.20 what I thought was the cost of the documents. A few months later I received a statement for 750 dollars for 3 hours of work including a review of the trust documents. I did not ask him to review the trust document. I feel taken advantage of because I spent less than 2 hours talking with him and did not ask for the new documents.

  Business response

  01/20/2022

  Ms. ******* - I am sorry that we have a problem in communication regarding the charges for services provided to you by our firm.  I will address the two (2) tasks you asked our firm to perform for you separately:1. REVIEW OF TRUST DOCUMENTS. You made an appointment at our office for August 26, 2021, to ask questions regarding your late husband's trust documents, specifically your joint revocable living trust, and your husband's irrrevocable life insurance trust, both of which were executed in 1998.  You asked a number of questions regarding the trusts, including whether the trusts could be combined, whether operation of the trusts could be simplified, why the trusts in the joint revocable trusts were split, whether annual accountings were required, and expressed particular concern regarding Articles 7, 8 and 9 of the revocable trust.  I reviewed and analyzed both trusts, each of which was lengthy and complex, and responded to your questions.  You were billed $750 for this work, which represented the 3 hours I spent on this matter, a little over an hour in our initial conference, and a little less than 2 hours reviewing and analyzing the trust documents, at my normal billing rate of $250/hour.  While the bill accurately represents the time spent on this matter, I understand that the bill was higher than you anticipated and will agree to reduce this bill to $350.  2.  UPDATED ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS.  When you and I met on August 26, 2021, you provided me with copies of your existing General Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will.  These documents were executed by you in February of 1998 and named your late husband, *** *******, as your primary attorney in fact.  Being 23 years old, the documents were seriously outdated from a legal standpoint.  According to my notes from that meeting, we discussed the fact that these old documents should be replaced with up-to-date documents fully in compliance with current Virginia law, and you agreed to have me prepare these documents.  You signed the documents in our office on September 28, 2021, and, I believe, picked them up from our office a few days later.  You were billed $350 for these services and promptly paid that bill. Ms *******, I appreciate the opportunity to work on these matters for you.  I regret that you were surprised by the amount of our bill, and certainly regret that this matter added additional stress to your life during this difficult period.  I hope that the explanation and adjustment offered above will put your mind at rest. Charles C. Lacy, Sr.    

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