A bonus when lawyer does a good job ?

[PaulBee]

Is it common for people to "tip" a good lawyer here ? My property manager works closely with this lawyer and today sent me this:
"I’m wondering if you would agree to paying the lawyer a U$ 500 fee for wrapping this up promptly. In my opinion his work throughout has been exemplary, but please advise. He may have to draft one or two other documents to present to the courts, to make sure the evicted tenant has nothing further to ask of you / claim; especially since he’s leaving things behind."

The lawyer got an upfront fee plus he gets a monthly fee.

The tenant got 14 months free accommodation and caused damage. The
eviction was supposed to be effective already and I will have to pay to
get rid of his junk.

I am thinking of paying only if the tenant brings action against me, but
I want to do the right thing. The lawyer himself seemed to do a good
job.

Sorry if this sounds petty, but my property manager OFTEN asks me to
give the other party a break - sometimes extreme deals.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[jblaze5779]

This sounds like extortion to me.

Tip a lawyer? You're already paying them for their services...

And if your manager hooked you up with this current deadbeat tenant you should probably be looking for a new manager.

 

[Redpossum]

Oh, that reeks of kickback. He's trying to take you to the cleaners.
I would definitely get a new property manager.

 

[Kula]

You are being gringopriced.
I've never hear of a lawyer being payed monthly by a private client. You either pay for the entire case( no matter how long it lasts!) or you pay per each apeal. but per month? What are you law firm?

"tiping" somebody can be the case, it personally happened to me few times when the work required much more effort from respective specialists that they've expected. They frankly asked each about 20% and only after all the work was done and it was Perfect! Also they gave clear and reasonable explanation what extra they did and why it was needed and why it costs those 20%.

Last but no least. 500 US dollars? In the middle of the case?. I bet a entire case could cost 500$ With a regular lawyer ( if you speak castellano)

 

[jblaze5779]

I guarantee that manager and lawyer are scheming together to milk you.

 

[nikad]

A lawyer, a doctor, an accountant, these are all professionals and it is unethical for them to accept or request tips, based on their code of honor. I strongly suggest not doing it. If they do a very good job, you can make him a nice gift, but tipping is a big no imho.

 

[PaulBee]

You are being gringopriced.
I've never hear of a lawyer being payed monthly by a private client. You either pay for the entire case( no matter how long it lasts!) or you pay per each apeal. but per month? What are you law firm?

"tiping" somebody can be the case, it personally happened to me few times when the work required much more effort from respective specialists that they've expected. They frankly asked each about 20% and only after all the work was done and it was Perfect! Also they gave clear and reasonable explanation what extra they did and why it was needed and why it costs those 20%.

Last but no least. 500 US dollars? In the middle of the case?. I bet a entire case could cost 500$ With a regular lawyer ( if you speak castellano)

Thanks so much for that info. Maybe in future, I will go back to a law firm I used in the past. I hope you will understand that I am not
comfortable giving out the name of the law firm. It was not they who asked me for the tip and lawyers seem to have a lot
of power here, so....

 

[cafeamericano]

I’ve never heard of tips. I did have once an agreement made in advance that was basically one fee guaranteed and then and additional fee to be paid if they were successful in “winning the case”. But to emphasize this was all discussed beforehand.

 

[PaulBee]

Thanks very much for your feedback everyone !

 

[TruchoTango]

My guess is the property manager will keep all or a portion of the $500.

Under no circumstances would I provide extra compensation to the lawyer. And in my eyes, the property manager is complicit for even making that request. On it's face, the request is ridiculous.