Surprise Billing and Rude Behavior

6 days ago

I engaged this firm a year ago for estate planning and was specifically advised to use MetLife coverage. Based on that recommendation, I purchased a MetLife legal plan for the express purpose of using the coverage with this attorney. After nearly a year of conversation I was presented with an unexpected $500 bill for what was described as “mandatory” services and documents not covered by MetLife. When I asked for details of these additional services and why they were mandatory, I was told to find another attorney. Rather than answer that simple question, Peggy chose to terminate the relationship and told me to find other representation. The response was astonishingly dismissive and, frankly, disgusting. Estate planning is not a casual transaction. Attorneys are dealing with people’s lives, families, assets, incapacity, and ultimately their deaths. People place an enormous amount of trust in the attorney handling these matters. That makes professionalism, patience, transparency, and basic human decency especially important. Unfortunately, none of those qualities were shown by Peggy. A client who has spent a year working toward an estate plan should not be dismissed simply for asking what they are being charged for and why those charges are mandatory. I was simply asking for a clear explanation of the fee before agreeing to it. Instead, Peggy effectively responded: find another attorney. I will be contacting MetLife and the Better Business Bureau to share this experience so they understand how this matter was handled. Anyone considering this firm for estate planning should carefully consider whether this is the level of communication, transparency, and client care they want when dealing with something as important as their family, assets, and final wishes.