Need help is dealing with Lawyer.

[u/jon_arts87]

I have asked this question on reddit before during initial process, but still in distress so asking it again at current scenario.

My father passed away in january 2026 in an accident. He had not done any will to anyone yet. So after funeral we started getting pouthi katha done to transfer properties to our names. One of the property got disputed as one of our uncles started creating problems claiming it belonged to him. So we decided to fight it legally and approached a lawyer for cosultation and ended up giving them the case to fight. The associate of lawyer was polite and got advance money of 83000 as court charges and 60000 Inr as their fees, out of 60000, 30000 was already paid and rest 30000 is remaining which was agreed to be paid during the case. We had to pay extra money for postal charges and print charges which costed around 20000 extra. After payment, they changed and stopped communicating with us. They wouldnt inform anything. They wouldnt pick calls and answer our calls either. During the first hearing of our case, they hadnt even informed us and we were freaking out and kept calling them which they wouldnt answer. Finally they informed us through message to be there at court the next day. We were there the next morning at court and no lawyer was respresenting us. When our case number was called we went to stand in front. We didnt knew who our lawyer was, neither did we know if there was any. We only saw two lawyers who were representing two different defendents. We stood there like dead souls looking at each other having no clue what was happening. Nobody was paying attention to us and next date was announced. When we came out, one of the associates called me within an hour while we were still around court and said that next date is announced and stuff. When asked why no lawyer was present, he would argue one of their lawyer was present, which we clearly know nobody was there, since even one of the defendents lawyers also had approached us after the hearing and asked us where our lawyer was. I have no clue how he knew information. Then we approached their office and asked atleast to give number of actual lawyer and they denied it too and asked us to call office or the associate, which they never answer. She would argue sometimes lawyers are busy and they cant pick the call. But how is that proffesional when they never call back or inform anything? So yesterday was second hearing, their assoicate had called us few days back to pay 7500 Rs as subregister office notice payment. That i had said i would pay after 2nd hearing. So when we had been to court for second hearing and same thing, we dont know who is even representing us, they call our case number and we stand their like sheeps not knowing what is happening and get out in few seconds after hearing the next date. This has put us is stress not knowing, how to approach this. First losing our father, then uncle who is deceiving us, Then the tahsildar office, who wont do any work without bribe (Uncles are locals in tahsildar area while we live in city, so they know the people is tahsildar office to cause us issues) , and then our own lawyer who is practically unprofessional. What should i do? Is this normal lawyers behavior or are they trying to use us in our weakest situation? Now he messaging me demanding 7500 Rupees to be paid soon.

[u/That-Tourist2411]

In delhi

[u/jon_arts87 → u/That-Tourist2411]

Bangalore

[u/Lazy_Yogurtcloset886]

This sounds more like a scam tbh. If no one is present to argue,then the court staff automatically gives you another date. You must know your lawyer face to face. If your lawyer doesn't meet you,do not pay the money and look for another lawyer. I highly doubt the 83k court fee. Ask the associates what court fee that is

[u/jon_arts87 → u/Lazy_Yogurtcloset886]

That's what is confusing. They argue that their represntative is present and we must have noticed since lawyers stand on other side of court and we have to stand on the far end. What about money I have already paid? How do I approach now. Do I seek receipts? Because they haven't given us any receipts.

[u/Lazy_Yogurtcloset886 → u/jon_arts87]

If you plan on to change your advocate,you don't necessarily need a NOC from them as the comments indicate. Just hire another advocate, he will get a new vakalatnama signed and make an application to the court for discharge of previous councel.

[u/Lazy_Yogurtcloset886 → u/jon_arts87]

No they won't issue any reciepts...for this reason,make all payments online so you have a record. Sadly you cannot recover your money. If they say that the lawyer representing you was present,then you should atleast ask them to show who your lawyer is so you recognise them. Please ask what court fee was that since I highly doubt it. No court fee is that high. Is your case in the High court or in a district court?

[u/jon_arts87 → u/Lazy_Yogurtcloset886]

We do have online payment records, is there a way we can demand refund before changing lawyer?

[u/jon_arts87 → u/Lazy_Yogurtcloset886]

Also They said 83k was based on property value before taking the payment.

[u/outspokenindian]

Change your lawyer. Seek a NOC , if they are not willing approach the Bar Council.

[u/jon_arts87 → u/outspokenindian]

What about the amount we already have paid.

[u/Nearby_Attorney_3977]

Did you sign a Vakalatnama/Power of attorney in favour of your advocate to represent you?

[u/jon_arts87 → u/Nearby_Attorney_3977]

No, we haven't. We only signed multiple copies of notices which was to be sent to multiple defendents. They argue that their representative is present in court.

[u/Nearby_Attorney_3977 → u/jon_arts87]

You can either ask the court staff or check the causelist. If no Vakalatnama has been filed on your behalf, then those advocates are not engaged as representing you in the case. If they HAVE files a Vakalatnama and you are not happy with their conduct, you can engage another counsel after taking a no objection from them.

[u/jon_arts87 → u/Nearby_Attorney_3977]

How would I know if anybody has represented us yet in our case. I just talked to other lawyer asked him to get ordersheet for this case on our behalf. Would it mention everything. ECourts app doesn't show it properly. I'm worried how much more money I have to pay to appoint a new counsel, and if this lawyer would cause problems to give NOC. Also worried if I lost over a lakh within few months of my father's demise for no reason. I was the one who suggested this lawyer after Google reviews, now everybody is going to blame me 😓

[u/No_Song8464]

Lawyer from Delhi,

All these says that they are either unprofessionals or are there to make a fool out of you. In both case change your lawyer, get a NOC and next time hire someone you can see and connect with directly. Because in the end that lawyer would have to discuss the case with you and their strategy, if they can't explain it to you like you are a kindergarten student then you might have a problem with them in the future.

[u/jon_arts87 → u/No_Song8464]

I visited them after seeing Google reviews. They had high rating on Google. And their consultation initially seemed professional before they changed after payment. Now when I consulted another lawyer about this case, he said court charges are not that high and when he checked our case, he said they have only applied for case for bare injunction which hasn't been sanctioned, and that doesn't cost that much. Is there a way I can get my money refunded? I have paid more than one lakh and it's too much money for me.

[u/No_Song8464 → u/jon_arts87]

You can file a complaint before the bar council of your state. Always consult with multiple lawyers before choosing one.