Why is my lawyer not answering?

Asked by: Mia Thiel  |  Last update: June 30, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (50 votes)

They may be busy with court appearances or other clients, or there might be delays in your case that they haven't communicated well. However, if the lack of communication persists, it may be a sign of a deeper issue, such as poor case management or a lack of commitment to your case.

What does it mean if your lawyer doesn't respond?

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.

What is a reasonable time for a lawyer 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.

What do I do if my lawyer is not answering my messages?

Let the attorney or his or her office know that if you do not receive a call back in X days then you will have to contact the local lawyer ethics commission and file a complaint for failure to keep you updated on the case. Your other option is to simply find another lawyer to represent you.

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

It's not that unusual, depending on how busy your attorney is. Sometimes emailing your questions gets a faster response. If you are not happy with your current attorney, you can always talk to other attorneys and see if they will take your case instead.

Your Lawyer Not Answering Your Calls?

45 related questions found

Why is my lawyer not communicating with me?

There can be various reasons why your lawyer isn't responding. They may be busy with court appearances or other clients, or there might be delays in your case that they haven't communicated well.

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.

Why is my attorney ignoring me?

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.

Will a lawyer ever text you?

In short, yes – lawyers that have established attorney-client privilege can communicate via text messaging.

How do you know if your lawyer is selling you out?

How Can You Tell If Your Lawyer Is Selling You Out?
  • They Regularly Miss Deadlines and Appointments. ...
  • They Show a Lack of Interest in Your Case. ...
  • They Are Pushing You Too Quickly or Forcefully to Settle. ...
  • They Fail to Return or Answer Your Calls. ...
  • They're not Transparent in Billing and Payment Practices.

Why is my lawyer taking so long to settle my case?

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.

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.

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.

How long should you wait for a lawyer to respond?

You should never feel like you can't contact your attorney to ask a question. If you call or email them, they should get back to you by the next business day. It might be two business days before your attorney contacts you on rare occasions.

How do you know you have a bad lawyer?

Any behavior that compromises professionalism, such as rudeness, tardiness, or lack of respect for client confidentiality, should raise concerns about the lawyer's competence. Additionally, ethical misconduct or disciplinary actions by regulatory authorities may indicate a lack of integrity and competence.

Can a lawyer drop your case without telling you?

First, the attorney must give the client proper notice of the intended withdrawal as well as notices of upcoming hearing dates, etc. The attorney must also notify the court of the client's contact information so that notices can be sent directly to the client following the withdrawal.

How should a lawyer answer the phone?

Check out some of the below examples of great greetings when answering the phone. “Good (Morning/Afternoon), thank you for calling (Law Firm Name). How may I direct your call?” “Hello, you've reached (Law Firm Name).

What text do lawyers use?

While there's no one “official” font style for preparing legal documents, there are a few court-approved fonts that are considered most easily readable: Arial. Century (and Century-related fonts like Century Schoolbook) Verdana.

Does my lawyer have to listen to me?

Attorney is the agent of his client. She has to act as per the client's instructions, provided that such instructions are not detrimental to the client interest.

Why do lawyers stop responding?

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 haven't I heard from my attorney?

Your lawyer may also be at events that are important such as continuing education or events with judges and other attorneys. So, many times your attorney is not ignoring you but simply unavailable. On the other hand, if it's been weeks since you've heard from them, that's a sign of bad communication skills.

Can your 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.

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.

What not to tell your lawyer?

Eight Things You Shouldn't Say to 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.

Is it good to not hear from your lawyer?

First off, not hearing for that long is a huge red flag and a sign that you hired the wrong law firm. That's just terrible customer service and a sign that they don't care at all about you or your case. If it's not too late you'd want to get a new lawyer in that situation. Fortunately it costs nothing to switch firms.