Sandra E. George v. Sandor M. Gelman

Plaintiff brought an action to remove an attorneys' lien recorded against her real property by defendant. Both parties moved
for summary Disposition. Following a hearing, the trial court granted summary Disposition in favor of defendant and denied
plaintiff's motion. Plaintiff appeals as of right. We reverse. Plaintiff retained defendant in March 1988 to represent her in a divorce action that was finalized in January 1989. There
is no dispute that the parties did not enter into a written fee agreement. The parties also agree that pursuant to an oral
agreement, plaintiff paid defendant a retainer of $1,500 and agreed to an hourly fee of $150. Plaintiff alleges, and defendant
denies, that defendant stated that the total fee would be "$5,000 to $6,000 tops."