Monica D Pacheco

When we first met with Monica she assured my sisters-in-law and me that she could help us with Medicaid for my husband, that she understood how the VA worked and that she could manage the case and would keep in touch with all of us. In the meantime, my sisters-in-law and I learned that my husband wa...s ineligible for Medicaid because of his VA pension. We heard nothing from Monica for two months until I received a document requesting conservatorship for my husband so that we could apply for Medicaid. I called the office and talked with the assistant and told her that we were ineligible for Medicaid so the document was worthless. She said she would talk to Monica and get back to me. I heard nothing from the office again for 8 months even after I called and left a message. At that time one of Monica's assistants called and said that the guardianship for my husband was due for renewal and that he could do that for me. About two weeks after we renewed the guardianship my husband passed away and the assistant terminated the guardianship for me. I received a bill for over $3,600, for the services involving the guardianship as well as a "previous balance" of which I had never been informed. It included $395 for Monica to prepare for our first meeting, although my sister-in-law had already paid $100 up front for the meeting itself. I wrote a letter asking what I was paying for and received a list of charges with no explanation so I just paid the bill but will not contact this firm again.

I was told setting up a trust would be a $2500 flat rate and it would take 3 weeks.It took 5 months and I repeatedly asked if the flat rate covered the charges.Monica assured me it did and I would get a year of advice and consultaion to learn how to purchase and the rules regarding the trust.When it ...was finally done,after much frustration,horrible communication and a nightmare of an experience,she billed me nearly $6000,saying it took her longer than anticipated.I paid the $2500 telling her you cant change a flat rate in the end.She withdrew as my attorney and now I have to hire another attorney to give me the information on rules of the trust that I repeatedly asked for and didnt get.I am just thankful its over but this is why people hate attorneys, I should have gone to the bar,really but want to put the whole trauma behind me.