If your divorce attorney is not returning your calls, you need to take immediate steps to protect yourself. First, if your lawyer has staff, call and schedule an appointment with him or her. Ask his staff what is going on that he or she is not returning any calls (ask politely – you catch more flies with honey). Any number of things could have happened. For example, the attorney could have become extremely ill, but took measures to protect you with the Court system (a medical leave of absence).
If that does not work, you may want to consider obtaining another attorney. Contact the Court to see if they have their cases online so you can see the status of the case. You can also contact the Georgia Bar. They have an intervention program designed to help clients out when they have trouble reaching their lawyer.
I had two cases recently where the client lost touch with their attorney. In one case, the lawyer had been disbarred and never informed the client or the Court. The opposing party scheduled a hearing and had a trial without the client present. The Wife received everything she wanted. We were able to get that Judgment set aside, but, unfortunately, not without a huge financial cost in attorney’s fees to the client.
By Patrick L. Meriwether, Partner, Meriwether & Tharp, LLC