please tell me if this is ethical

[nwlife]

A year ago I went to an attorney to get a divorce. My ex and I had come up with an agreement, so we just needed the papers drawn up. I hired an attorney who informed me that I was getting screwed and shouldn't do it. I knew it wasn't a good deal (I offered him no child support left him the house with practically all the furniture, but I am afraid of my ex and frankly I wanted to make sure I got custody of my child.) My attorney convinced me to do things his way. I told him time and again that I didn't have any money for attorney fees to fight, but he kept insisting that my ex would pay the attorney fees since he makes over 100 grand and I make close to minimum wage. I spent the next year listening to my attorney talk to me inappropriately " then bill me for that". I emailed him once to verify an appointment, and instead of emailing me the answer. he emailed me saying that "I was just thinking of calling you so I will". Then he called me. I got billed for BOTH!! I think that is totally wrong he could have just emailed the answer, or called he didn't need to do both.

Anyway, to make a long story short. At the end of the year my attorney said he had a settlement offer he thought I should accept. The offer was pretty fair for both sides, but now I have 20,000.00 in attorney fees. I reminded him what he said in the beginning about my ex paying the fees and he said yeah but you would have to go to trial for that (which would cost me thousands more and I wouldn't be guaranteed them). This is definitely not what he said in the beginning. I asked him how I was ever going to pay him considering my low wages and no money from the divorce. He replied " I was thinking you could pay me by wearing a ballerina tutu." My ex's attorney even blackmailed me by sending a letter saying that if I went to trial and asked for attorney fees that they would seek custody of my son. I am not trying to get out of my debt to my attorney. I owe him, I will have to somehow pay him. I just want to know if this is ethical.

That sounds bizarre. You could file a Bar complaint. You don't have to pay all fees if you object to the behavior. He likely does not want to go to court over that.

Hi! I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with your attorney. I've heard that there is a website where you can rate your lawyer and the services provided, is a free online directory where companies check feedback on lawyers before making a decision whether to hire them or not the site is LawyersReputation.com. I suggest you place your frank feedback there. Bad service shall cost lawyers!