If you fire the lawyer, you may be required to pay for the value of work rendered. You may also have to go to court to settle the issue of legal fees and the return of your papers since some lawyers assert a lien on the file. However, these potential problems should never impede you from taking action if warranted. If you have evidence that the attorney misused funds for personal gain or committed fraud, you may file a complaint with the state grievance committee or local bar association. Don't be afraid to do this.
All complaints are confidential.
You cannot be sued for filing a complaint if it is later determined that the lawyer did nothing wrong. Another alternative is to commence a malpractice lawsuit against the lawyer. This doesn't mean you can sue if your lawyer gets beaten by a better attorney. You can sue only if he or she renders work or assistance of minimal competence and you are damaged as a result. Consult another lawyer before embarking on any of these courses of action to learn if you have a valid claim.