Oggie, I really hope you did not settle this out yourself and you hired a new attorney. I know it means it would take a little longer to get to the end of things but in my opinion better to take a little longer and get it right than to rush through it without all the information and knowledge that would make sure you get everything coming to you. Without an attorney or working knowledge of the laws in your state the other side will take advantage of the situation and you. As for if you have to pay your attorney if you fire them, that would depend on what you signed when they took on your case. If they said you would be responsible for hourly rate or you would have to pay a percentage of what they got for you.