CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Attorney Fees
......Between Attorney and Client
.........Use of Client's Funds For Bill
5 Cards On This Topic:

Attorney's use of client's trust funds to pay own bill.

Attorney subject to discipline as soon as trust balance drops below amount of client funds held subject to dispute.

Attorney may not apply client's monies to fees earned without client's permission.

Attorney may not dispose of client's property held as security for payment of fees.

Attorney may not withdraw client's funds from trust to pay for services rendered without consent; bill informing client of withdrawal does not constitute account stated.