Why Pay A Lawyer? Aka Richard S. Berry Disbarred Lawyer, Prior Convictions, Contempt, Prohibited from providing legal services Tempe Arizona
This individual/company was hired to file and oversee our bankruptcy, for a fee of $575.00, which was to include them filing all necessary paperwork and keeping us updated on important dates and other requirements, such as when to attend meetings, etc. They promised to be able to provide all of the services that an attorney does at a fraction of the cost. In actuality, they failed to provide the services that were promised, and made so many errors and omissions in our documents that the bankruptcy was ultimately dismissed... on more than one occasion. Richard Berry represents himself as a "retired attorney", which he is not (actually, he's retired, all right: involuntary dismissed by the AZ State Bar in 1977!).
Richard Berry repeatedly failed to file the correct documents in the timeframes imposed by the court, subsequently getting our case dismissed. There are extremely incompetent people working there; who will promise you things that they cannot deliver. Be cautious when dealing with "Kate" or "John", who habitually cover for each other when deadlines are missed. When we began to question Mr. Berry about some of his missed filings, he became defensive and insisted that everything was filed on time, and that it was "our fault" if anything was missed. Then we became skeptical, and we asked for verification that he had actually filed the documents in question. He replied that he filed them electronically, and is not provided with any type of receipt when he files in this manner. After speaking with the Az State bar, we found out that ONLY a licensed attorney has the privilege of filing documents electronically. We also found out that there are many, many complaints against Mr. Berry, some dating back from as far as 1977 through the present. The Az state bar is actively pursuing him, and has already placed sanctions on him, prohibited him from continuing any type of document preparation services to no avail. I hate to use the word "FRAUD" when describing an individual, but....
We didn't save a dime; actually, we lost even more than our money. We have lost our property to foreclosure, and lost our Bankruptcy case in the end. Mr. Berry will not accept our phone calls and is always "in with a client" when we stop by in person. We have since hired an attorney who is handling our case, and we found out that Mr. Berry has been advising us according to old laws, which explains why things went as they did. Our advice: Don't spend your money here; spend a bit more and get a competent attorney who can represent you. If we had done that in the first place, we wouldn't have suffered the losses that we did.
R. Scotts
Mesa, Arizona
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Griffon
Mesa,Arizona,
USA
My experience with Why Pay a Lawyer
#6General Comment
Sat, August 11, 2012
I regret the problems the Scott's had with Why Pay a Lawyer. I was going to use the firm again and saw the ripoff notice and was concerned.
To those thinking about using Why Pay a Lawyer; my experience was, though I often had a hard time getting hold of Richard or some information regarding my case, they did do a good job for me regarding a bankruptcy. Paper work seemed to be filed on time, I was successful in getting the bankruptcy approved, and I was instructed what to do and when.
I used this service in 2009. I can't say whether "Why Pay a Lawyer" is still as good as they were then and I know nothing about Richard being a disbarred attorney. I do believe attorney's want services like this one closed, because it cuts into their business.
I personally couldn't afford an attorney, it wasn't that I just wanted to save money.
I have often used paralegal services because of lack of money. Having worked for a divorce lawyer, I know that paralegals are very knowledgeable (depending on their education) and one can expect positive results. But if one can afford an attorney, I would most likely recommend it. (Although I have experienced attorney's in my life time I wouldn't recommend.)
I know of no attorney that doesn't charge a lot of money. For those who haven't used a lawyer, they charge a retainer, which is usually $2,500 or more and the attorney goes through that money real quick. Just a question or phone call to a retained attorney or their paralegals can cost you $50.00 and often much more than that.
It's best to get a consultation to determine their qualification or even to get an idea of what you really want to do given the situation.
It boils down to you have to decide which is best for you and what you can afford. I just felt compelled to write a review of my experience in hopes it will help.
alan deaton
RICHMOND HILL,Ontario,
Canada
RICHARD BERRY-WHY PAY A LAWYER
#6REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, June 22, 2011
JEANNE BERRY is the wife of Richard Berry.She is a former Las Vegas prostitute and stripper.
Like Richard Berry, she has crimininal convictions.
She has be treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
Her children are illegitimate because Richard Berry is a homosexual and impotent and a pedophile.
Barry
Phoenix,AZ,
USA
Did ok for me
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, April 19, 2011
I used this guy in 1994 to help me form a Nevada Corp. They did a good job, but there was a typo, which he fixed free of charge. I later discovered that the typo was my fault, not his nor his staff!!
I myself have been a long time consumer advocate and always put the interest of my client first. I hold a license to do what I do as a PA, and I can tell you that many people in general seem to want more out of you then you agree to deliver.
This guy gave me what I paid for, and he delivered more then he should have. My advice, ...do your homework, take notes and follow through on what you are suppose to do. A "none lawyer" can only do so much and the rest is up to you
Paralegal Business Owner
Pahrump,Nevada,
United States of America
Purpose of a Paralegal
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, January 14, 2011
Here, it seems, we have another unsatisified customer who paid for a paralegal service and expected F. Lee Bailey type representation.
Wrong!!!! When you hire a paralegal service, you are hiring what amounts to a legal secretary. A paralegal takes your information and prepares the documents to meet court rules.
A paralegal DOES NOT give legal advice, nor does a paralegal represent you in court or usually file paperwork for you. Paralegals dont get paid for that service; that is why you paid $575.00 instead of $1,800.00.
My guess is that YOU dropped the ball and did not follow through with YOUR case. Here's my basis for that: The BK court sent YOU all the notices, paperwork, etc., for YOUR case, not to Why Pay a Lawyer.
Based on your financial irresponsibility that put you in BK in the first place, I am guessing you did with that paperwork what you did with your bills when they showed up: Discarded them.
Had you followed through with what you were supposed to follow through with, your BK would never have been dismissed. After the 341 hearing, it is a waiting game until the statutory time passes, then your case is discharged.
So, what else did YOU do to screw up YOUR case?
I know Richard Berry and what you are saying he said, I have never known him to say, to any customer. He just could'nt do it as a paralegal.
Anyway, as I have found in my paralegal business: Most people will pay for the service they receive, but others, like you, want to pay for a Moped and get a Cadillac Escalade out of the deal.
The real world just doesn't play like that, but hey, YOU are the one in BK.
Just remember this: Sometimes, just sometimes, YOU have to take responsibility for YOUR actions and not place the blame for YOUR FAILURES on everyone else.
Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Booyahman
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Clarification to why a pay a lawyer ripoff report
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, May 12, 2009
Everyone wants to complain about what goes on in the world but don't want to serve it. Trust me when I say you can find thousands of complaints against lawyers and the only differnce is you will spend more money. So it would seem to me if I'm going to risk losing money persuing a legal issue I'd rather spend less than spend more and get screwed. Just ask the clients of Bernie Madoff!! Just because there Lawyers doesn't mean you'll receive the level of service you deserve. Most consumers have an unrealistic expectation when paying money for a services provided. The company Why Pay a Lawyer is a SELF HELP business, that means for a reduced price they will guide you through the process of filing certain documents. How people can be confused they are not dealing with a lawyer is concering when you read the name of the business.
Here's another thought; If a lawyer is required to file a Bankrupcy why do they have step by step procedure on how to file a Ch7 or 13 on the bankrupcy court website? This is not rocket science this is about money do you actually think a lawyer is completing your BK package? It's his paralegal, secratary or some other individual and they don;t provide you with any legal advice either. The 341 hearing for the most part is all you need to be aware of. Finally, the problem most clients face when filing for BK is dealing with those arogant trustee laywers who think everyone must be reprsented by a lawyer at your 341 hearing. If you believe that you were dropped at birth, you fell out of a stupid tree and hit every branch on the way to the ground! Let me tell you.. Those Trustee lawyers are only trying to protect there money and they have a personal issue with Why pay a lawyer. that's the only reason they pressure and disrespect every client Why pay a lawer sends there. When in reality the only issue is are the BK documents in order? if so your BK movesd forward, if not the trustee must file what I call corrective action/ response and you the client must file an addendum to that response. But those Jacklys would have you think otherwise. After all that is there livelyhood the natural thing to do is protect it. I have no interest in either side but I've witnesses how people are treated at those BK hearings. It's not right!!!!!!!!!!!!!