Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer for a month?
Asked by: Sebastian Schuster III | Last update: December 18, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (45 votes)
How often you should hear from your attorney will depend on the specifics of your case, but it is typically every few weeks. If a lot is happening with your health or your case is continually changing, you should contact your attorney more frequently.
How often should I be hearing from my lawyer?
We could go on and on with many examples of when your lawyer should get in touch. The basic answer is that we feel it's at least every three months and as often as daily while important things are happening on your case. You also have a responsibility to communicate with your lawyer.
Is it normal not to hear from your lawyer?
In short, don't worry at all. If your assigned attorney is not responding to phone calls, this is NORMAL. Go to court and, in the worst case scenario your attorney has not arrived or spoken to you when you case is called, just go up and tell the judge you haven't seen your attorney there yet.
Is it normal for your lawyer to not contact you?
Not hearing from your lawyer can be worrisome, especially if you've made an effort to contact them. According to the American Bar Association, a lawyer is required to keep a client informed in a prompt manner and adhere to reasonable requests.
Why is my lawyer not communicating with me?
The attorney could be out for vacation or illness. The attorney could be in trial. The attorney could be attending a professional conference. The attorney could be working on his/her cases; like it or not, your case is not the only one in the office and it may not be a priority at the moment.
How often should you hear from your attorney during a case? How often should you call?
How long should a lawyer take to respond?
An attorney or paralegal may feel that responding to a question within 24 or 48 hours is sufficient, while the client is stressing out about the issue and expecting a response within the hour, or at least by close of business that day.
Why does my lawyer ignore me?
They are busy with other clients; They are dealing with personal issues; They are out of the office; They stopped representing you (if you hired the attorney for a specific legal need);
Why is my lawyer taking so long?
It's frustrating when a legal case takes a long time to settle, but there are many reasons why your lawyer might need more time. They could be busy collecting evidence, dealing with complicated legal issues, or negotiating with the other side. Sometimes, waiting a bit longer can even result in a better outcome for you.
Is it normal for your lawyer not to call you back?
Regrettably, even the most discerning clients can hire an attorney who simply will not call them back. It's frustrating. As a general rule, give your lawyer 1-2 days to return your non-urgent phone call; very often, your lawyer may be out of the office for a half-day, whole day, or longer if he/she is in court.
How do you know if a lawyer will take your case?
Factors Lawyers Consider Before Taking a Case
Legal Merit: A lawyer will first assess the legal merit of your case. This involves evaluating the evidence and determining if the law supports your claims in the lawsuit. A case with strong legal foundations stands a better chance of being accepted.
What happens if you ignore a lawyer?
Your non-response to the demand letter from an attorney may be considered evidence of intentional wrongdoing or willful violation of the other party's rights. Moreover, penalty provisions and attorney's fees may substantially increase the amount you owe.
How long does it take for a lawyer to review a case?
In some cases, your lawyer may have a good reason why it took 4-6 weeks to evaluate your case and give you a decision whether he will accept it. If your lawyer takes more than 6 weeks to evaluate your case, you need to find out why. Begin by asking for a meeting or phone conference with your lawyer.
How do I ask my lawyer for an update?
If you have not heard from your lawyer in a while, send him a quick email or leave him a voice mail message asking for an update.
Why I don't hear from my lawyer?
Reasons you may not hear from your lawyer include: They have no updates for you regarding your case or are waiting for next steps. Anytime there is movement in your case, such as receiving the opposing party's offer or setting a hearing date with the court, your attorney should contact you with an update.
How do you know if your lawyer is working for you?
Communication: Open and clear communication is crucial. If you feel that your lawyer is not keeping you informed about your case, is avoiding your calls or emails, or is not providing satisfactory explanations for their actions, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
Should you always wait for a lawyer?
There's no good reason to wait. Talking with a lawyer doesn't mean you have to hire that lawyer. It doesn't necessarily mean it will cost you anything other than your time.
Why is my lawyer not contacting me?
Something may have come up in the attorney's personal life as well. Much of the time, if your attorney isn't calling you as often as you had hoped, your case may just be at a standstill right now and there's nothing more they can do at the moment.
How long should I wait to hear back from my lawyer?
if they can tell they might want your case. They will likely contact you back quickly. If it's been more than three or four days, you're probably not going to hear from them.
What not to tell your lawyer?
- Do Not Say Anything to Your Attorney That Is Not True. ...
- Do Not Exaggerate Your Injuries When Talking to Your Lawyer. ...
- Do Not Tell Your Lawyer to Act On Your Behalf and Take Other Action Without Their Awareness.
What is a reasonable response time for a lawyer?
A: You should get a response within 24 hours during normal business hours M-F, if you hired a good lawyer. Are you sure the lawyer still has permission to talk to you as the client can take this approval away from the attorney and that may be the reason the attorney is not responding to you.
Why hasn't my lawyer called me back?
It may be a simple misunderstanding that can be cleared up with one phone call. In any case, keep a record of the date and time of any calls you have with your lawyer. If your lawyer does not return your call, send them a letter and keep a copy. In the letter, describe what is bothering you and what you need.
Why do lawyers delay?
What Are the Motivations Behind Prolonged Litigation? Delaying the trial can serve many purposes. If the delay is based on proper reasons, it may allow the defense and the government to adequately prepare for the trial. For example, both sides can have ample time to gather and review evidence in the case.
What if your lawyer stops communicating with you?
Send a Formal Letter or Email: Draft a professional letter or email expressing your concerns about the lack of communication. Clearly state that you expect regular updates on your case and specify how often you would like to be informed. This can sometimes prompt a response from your lawyer.
Can a lawyer turn against you?
The law is clear that a lawyer cannot turn against their client, and any violation of this guideline can invite a stringent investigation from legal authorities. Accusations of treachery are taken seriously and may warrant criminal prosecution to ensure justice is served fairly.
How do you know if a lawyer is bad?
- Lack of Enthusiasm. You take your case seriously. ...
- Ineffective communication. ...
- Attitude Disagreements. ...
- Inefficient. ...
- Incorrect Billing and Legal Fees. ...
- Unethical Conduct. ...
- Failure to Establish a Track Record of Success. ...
- Pessimistic Attitude.