Impersonating an attorney

HELP, I have an inheritance waiting in Mexico, and back in 2002, I authorized a lawyer in Chicago to handle the litigation process. I just found out a few days ago that she’s been acting as my legal counsel for the last ten years without me ever knowing. I don't have a single document; she's seized everything, and she likely forged a new power of attorney at some point. What should I do?

I don't see what the big deal is.

If you gave her power of attorney and never revoked it, she *is* your lawyer. She didn't misrepresent herself.
There’s zero reason to fake a POA when one already exists.
If she successfully secured that inheritance in your name, the funds were paid out to her as your counsel—which is standard procedure as far as I know. She keeps her fee and sends the rest to you, the client. Unfortunately, some lawyers cut corners and don't follow through, which usually ends with them getting a physical lesson from their clients (I've seen it happen). From what I can tell, you need to sue her now, which means you're going to need a new lawyer...

nimblelynx7 said:I don't see what the big deal is.

If you gave her power of attorney and never revoked it, she *is* your lawyer. She didn't misrepresent herself.
There’s zero reason to fake a POA when one already exists.
If she successfully secured that inheritance in your name, the funds were paid out to her as your counsel—which is standard procedure as far as I know. She keeps her fee and sends the rest to you, the client. Unfortunately, some lawyers cut corners and don't follow through, which usually ends with them getting a physical lesson from their clients (I've seen it happen). From what I can tell, you need to sue her now, which means you're going to need a new lawyer...

I gave her power of attorney for the first civil lawsuit only. Once that case was closed, the authority ended. She called me asking me to send over a new power of attorney, but I refused. Therefore, in all subsequent proceedings, she was fraudulently representing herself. I am not disputing the first case. Furthermore, since 2003, she has only contacted me once—back in 2008—to ask for that power of attorney again. That was our only contact.