Ted D. Billbe

Ted Billbe did not properly argue my case, by failing to request relief to which I was entitled and misstating facts that would have been in my favor. Billbe represented me in a dissolution of marriage. My husband tried to manipulate me into commiting tax fraud with him. He eliminated my income f...rom our tax forms, demanding that I not receive earnings and income for any work that I do. He was berserk with rage. During trial, Billbe did not ask for reimbursements to the community from my husband, which the court would have awarded my equitable share if he had asked. Instead he asked the court to consider the diversion of funds in determining the final distribution (that did not work so well). He failed to ask the Judge for reimbursement of half of my attorney fees and costs, which included addiitonal expert witnesses that Billbe had me hire. Billbe argued an incorrect titling of our house which both the title company and tracing expert had clarified there is no such title. It was purchased during marriage and he should have argued it was community property. He mistakenly said "out' of an account, instead of "into". He did not illustrate to the court the extent of commingled community and separate assets as our flowchart graph of funds exhibited. He failed to identify all the community property. The judgment that Billbe obtained for me did not reflect our experts' exhibits. In a final billing, I found that Billbe charged me for an unauthorized meeting before trial with an "estate, wealth and tax" attorney. That made no sense. Our tracing expert, already working for us, is also a renowned tax attorney with a PHD. We had no reason to ask for legal advice; if so, we would have used our expert. Billbe did not explain why he had the meeting, how it would benefit me, and he did not reverse his charge. This was a very expensive proceeding. These are verifable truths. I do NOT recommend Ted Billbe.

He filed our divorce case in the wrong county when neither party nor the children resided in King County. This caused opposing party to file to change venue and additional fees on my case. Additionally, the Petition for Dissolution mentioned an agreed upon Separation agreement, but that was not attac...hed to the petition. Opposing party was never properly served Summons and Petition either. Other standard documents were never filed (Financial Declaration and such). This is going to cause the divorce to be dragged out with additional costs.

Ted is aggressive, & it will cost you. It was shocking to receive monthly invoices averaging $2-4k. After asking how to reduce fees, I was never offered to write my own declarations, motions, etc. Ted continued to control every aspect of my case and charge away. I am still upset over the fact tha...t so much billing was unnecessary and felt completely taken advantage of due to such an emotional time in my life. I've since had to hire two other attorneys & they have been reasonable.