If they don't, you keep the assets and are out only the attorney's fee.

FORBES: Money & Investing

In April, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Cafra attorney's fee should be paid to the client, not directly to the lawyer.

WSJ: Federal Asset Seizures and Forfeitures Rise; 'Equitable Sharing' Grows

Unless they are a fiduciary to you (like an attorney, a doctor or a fee-only financial planner), they have no responsibility to look out for you.

FORBES: How to Get an Insurance Claim Paid

In this case, a law firm that was stiffed on its fee by some clients hired San Diego attorney Bryan Sampson widely regarded as one of best collection attorneys in California and who has a long track history of success to pursue the client.

FORBES: Wrong.

Knight's attorney said he could not immediately comment on the large fee.

CNN: Campaign Finance Reform: "Portals" Of Influence?

To bridge this disconnect, we started quoting flat fees and that brought in more business, but it was mostly confined to those situations where the Russian or Korean company had virtually no choice but to retain an attorney in the U.S. And then we realized the fee squabbles would be the least of our problems.

FORBES: Patience Required As Chinese Companies Go Overseas