Testimonials are the one form of advertising that someone can use and bear no responsibility for what's listed. I should have known that any lawyer with testimonials on the website should not be trusted...
I gave these people a $1200 retainer. During the early stages (before payment) the person I spoke to was "Dale". He's the sales rep, the sweet talker, and the guy who promises you the world. He tells you of the wonders that they can perform for you. Once I sent the payment, I never heard from him again. This is when the phone calls and emails start from the "clerks". I *NEVER ONCE* spoke to the lawyer. I got to speak to the "clerks". For speaking with them, you'll pay a hefty price - $250 per hour. If the clerks call you? That's a $40 charge. Stay on the phone for 11 minutes with a clerk? That'll be $80 Email from a clerk? You'll pay another $40 for that. One of the clerks leaves you a voicemail? That's another $40.
You'll know when you are out of money, as the "collections" girl will call. Don't mistake, if they are out of funds, they won't even accept phone calls from the IRS... They'll have the collections girl put the pressure on you to get a payment in because they are "up against a deadline". Remember that phrase. When you hear it, it means you're about to get taken for a ride. Don't kid yourself.
In my case they tore through my $1200 in no time. After that they demand $500 each time they need more funds. This lawyer does not take personal checks btw... Money order or credit cards only. Read the terms carefully. You'll sign papers saying that being billed is acceptance that they have done the work. You pretty much have no recourse, it's a heck of a scam they are running.
This is a "letter of the contract" scam. They'll be sure they meet the letter of the contract without actually providing any real value for your dollar.
When I fired them they were up to asking for $500 per week, every week. I complained about this. They ignored me. When I asked in writing to speak to someone about the fact that they were burning money at a rate that I couldn't afford, I got no reply.
(When I got the "detailed billing" I can see where they discussed my letter and decided "there was no reason to speak to me at this time")
Get that... You're paying $250 an hour and there's "no reason to speak to you" when you are unhappy.
In the end these people got me for nearly $3000 before I smartened up. What did I get for it? A single form filled out and submitted to the IRS. The information on it? I filled it in myself.
I've spoken to several lawyers (and retained one of them) since I fired Fouts. They have all commented that Fouts not only charges far more than they do, but didn't provide good legal advice, and gave the IRS information that was unnecessary.
I got more done with my new lawyer in ONE DAY, than I did with these people in a month. For far less money and at a lower rate per hour.
I am WORSE OFF for having paid Fouts. Don't make the mistake I did. They damaged my relations with the IRS, charged me a fortune, gave the IRS information to use against me that wasn't required.
Run away. Do not pay Jeff Fouts a dime! If you have paid him, simply fire him now. Save yourself the grief and the money.in my experience, these people are don't care about your interests and act more as agents of the IRS than your lawyer.
My new lawyer charges less, answers my questions and looks out for my interests. That's more than you'll get from Jeff Fouts in my experience.
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