My ex had a motion before the court. I went to court Tuesday and we made an offer to settle their motion. They did not agree to it until minutes before we were to meet with the judge. My lawyer met with my ex's lawyer and my lawyer confirmed that they had accepted my offer to settle their motion with one exception of one matter which was stroked out. While we waited for the judge to sign the docments I noticed that the other side had completely retyped our offer. I asked my lawyer if they had checked what the other side did and my lawyer had confirmed that it was checked. I checked it myself today and found out that they had made other changes that I did not agree with and the offer to settle the motion has been signed off by the judge. How can this situation be rectified? I am so frustrated with the system!!! It is 4 am and I can not sleep from all the stress. I am hoping someone knows the answer to my question.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Offer to settle motion - variation
Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
-
I agree with Standing... you should have read it yourself, knowing they made changes, you should never rely on just your lawyer...you have to remember you are not the only client they will be dealing with, and s/he may not remember the exact phrases to your agreement...
As Standing said...is it going to be worth the hassle and the costs to bring this back to court?
Comment
-
Offer to settle motion - variation
I just spoke with another lawyer at the same firm and they said there is no problem in changing the order. My lawyer is on vacation and I was told that I will need to wait until they come back to make the change. I agree with the previous comments that I need to review everything, however we were already in the court room so I could not review the document and I specifically asked the lawyer if they had reviewed and they said yes.
Comment
-
Originally posted by proudmommy View PostMy ex had a motion before the court. I went to court Tuesday and we made an offer to settle their motion. They did not agree to it until minutes before we were to meet with the judge. My lawyer met with my ex's lawyer and my lawyer confirmed that they had accepted my offer to settle their motion with one exception of one matter which was stroked out. While we waited for the judge to sign the docments I noticed that the other side had completely retyped our offer. I asked my lawyer if they had checked what the other side did and my lawyer had confirmed that it was checked. I checked it myself today and found out that they had made other changes that I did not agree with and the offer to settle the motion has been signed off by the judge. How can this situation be rectified? I am so frustrated with the system!!! It is 4 am and I can not sleep from all the stress. I am hoping someone knows the answer to my question.
2. You should have reviewed the document in full. This is a common "tactic" that is done by some lawyers. Court room door settlements are often done this way.
3. Your solicitor is at fault for not having verified the content or reviewed it with you.
4. How awful are the changes really? Are the substantial.
5. You should have had a copy of your original offer with you and did a paragraph to paragraph (word to word) comparison. As you both had solicitors present the judge didn't do the double check.
6. Near impossible to fix now probably unless it deals with a substantial issue that is wrong (like say the wrong amount of CS being paid etc...)
Good Luck!
Tayken
Comment
-
It can be fixed, but how hard it will be depends on whether or not your ex fights your proposed changes.
Unfortunately, you have an agreement on which the ink is barely dry. You signed it with the consult of your lawyer and now it would appear you are having buyers remorse.
In order to now open up the agreement, you will need to prove you were duped or pressured into signing it, even though you signed it on the advice of your lawyer.
Yeah, it sucks that it was a last minute thing and they seemed to get one by you. But it was your obligation to read it to ensure it was satisfactory. Now, unless your ex agrees, you're going to have a tough time changing it (unless it is patently unreasonable).
Comment
-
Originally posted by proudmommy View PostSo all you guys think that my lawyer is lieing to me and this can not be fixed. I don't know what to think anymore. I find it hard to believe that a lay person would be responsible for being on top of the lawyers and that I should suffer for their mistake.
But, again, are the changes you mentioned substantial? Or are they possibly wording updates that really didn't change the result but, made it easier to read? Just because they are "different" in wording doesn't mean they will be different in how they are interpreted.
Good Luck!
Tayken
Comment
-
I was told that they took our agreement and suggested one change which we stroked out. It was only when the judge was off signing the agreement that I found out that the other side had retyped everything and then asked my lawyer if they had reviewed it and they said they did. I never signed anything. I was not asked to. My lawyer is on vacation and has said they will fix it. I have said that they will need to fix it at their cost as it was their mistake. I am really surprised at how they are so relaxed about it. I am bothered by it as it is something I really wanted in the agreement. I have told my lawyer that this matter needs to be fixed asap at no cost to me. She is a decent lawyer so I take her at her word. She said these things happen all the time and it is not a big issue. We will see.
Comment
-
Originally posted by proudmommy View PostSo all you guys think that my lawyer is lieing to me and this can not be fixed. I don't know what to think anymore. I find it hard to believe that a lay person would be responsible for being on top of the lawyers and that I should suffer for their mistake.
Comment
-
So your agreement was signed off by the judge on consent? Not sure if it makes a huge difference if your ex wants to be sticky about it. But if your lawyer is going to do it on their dime (as it was partially their mistake), I see no harm in trying.
Comment
-
While I agree that you may have a hard time getting the order changed, I believe you have a very good case to get all the legal costs reimbursed from your lawyer.
WHO CARES if they are a good lawyer or not...he/she lied to you, and did not provide you with the services you paid for. They did not review the material, by themselves or with you! Your lawyer should have copied you on the offer when it was sent (if by email) or should be able to provide you with the exact copy of what was exchanged/faxed/couriered and a confirmation that it was accepted. Compare the wording on the order (and the final minutes if you have it) and SHOW your lawyer that it is not the same and that it is not limited to the one thing you stroked out. Tell her you want this error corrected, at her cost, or you will be going to the law society and filing a complaint.
I dont know if it can be fixed, but she should offer you your legal fees back so that you dont report her. Lawyers HATE it when clients file complaints. I heard my lawyer and ex's lawyer bitching together about just that. I later threatened to file one on mine, and she reimbursed me $1500, and then did the closing up of my case for free
Comment
-
Originally posted by proudmommy View PostI received all kinds of comments on the above noted and just wanted everyone to know that the reality is that an "offer to settle a motion" once signed by a judge can still be changed as long as both parties agree.
Comment
Comment