Stiffed by an Attorney

[Mediocre Jones]

I did an appraisal for an attorney on November 26th, 2025. I have done several appraisals for this attorney and have always been paid. This particular time I wasn't. He, of course, is blaming his client and the other party (it's a divorce situation) for not paying. I gave him 30 days after the I did the appraisal to pay and then I started emailing the attorney looking for payment. He has consistently blown me off, saying he will get on it for me and contact his client etc. I resent the invoice to the attorney with a polite reminder and sent an invoice to the house two weeks ago. Nothing. Today I wrote a Final Notice letter with a deadline of Feb 27th to pay. I hate to sever this relationship, but ultimately he is on the hook to pay me as he is the one who engaged me. Do you all think I have given a proper amount of time to pay up? Have any of you ever had to take a matter to small claims court? Thanks

 

[swandel1]

What are the terms and who is the client on your LOE? This will be key to any success. If it is attny, then file a bar complaint. But i would try to work a deal with the attny first, and hopefully keep your client. But again, in order to collect, you need a rock solid LOE.The LOE is your contract.

 

[CCAAMO]

Always get the payment upfront from the client, not the attorney which includes any depositions or court appearances. You never want to be in the position of chasing the attorney for payment

 

[glenn walker]

If he wasn't named as the client and you have no engagement letter with him your screwed. I had a similar situation years ago and the attorney client's put my invoice into a the bankruptcy they later filed.

Again unless the attorney was your client your never seeing a dime unless be can get his client to pay you. They probably owe him money too. Not uncommon.

 

[Mediocre Jones]

What are the terms and who is the client on your LOE? This will be key to any success. If it is attny, then file a bar complaint. But i would try to work a deal with the attny first, and hopefully keep your client. But again, in order to collect, you need a rock solid LOE.The LOE is your contract.

There is no formal Letter of Engagment. Just a text from him asking if i can do the appraisal and for how much etc.

 

[Mediocre Jones]

Always get the payment upfront from the client, not the attorney which includes any depositions or court appearances. You never want to be in the position of chasing the attorney for payment

Yeah he even asked if I needed a check up front to get started. Since I've had such a good relationship with him, I said I didn't.

 

[Surf Cat]

There is no formal Letter of Engagment. Just a text from him asking if i can do the appraisal and for how much etc.

Here's where you went wrong. When it comes to attorneys or CPAs, you call them when the assignment is done and tell them you have it ready and are awaiting payment to send it.

Edit: Also, "always" get a letter of engagement that lays out the scope, who the client, and what the fee is.

 

[glenn walker]

There is no formal Letter of Engagment. Just a text from him asking if i can do the appraisal and for how much etc.

He just found his client a appraiser and forwards your invoices to the clients which are who you really did the appraisal for and now you have to try and collect from them. Frankly I would be nice to him and hope he can get you paid. Once you've finally pissed him off you now have two parties that will claim your appraisal sucked and that's why their not paying you. And State Bars don't typically get involved.

 

[AppraisingLA123]

I don't think you need a LOE, you can still get paid, you can always take the attorney to small claims court. Remind the attorney that the fee is going to be much higher after late chargers, court fees, and day lost in court.

 

[Elliott]

I was half done with an 'subdivision' appraisal for an attorney when I told him. it wasn't connected to sewer and so had an element of fraud. He tried to stiff me, had him served with a Small Claims action and boy was he pissed. Paid right away. I always imagined he was served in a fancy, high rise Seattle office building in front of others in his firm.