Yes. Typically, when you retain an attorney, you sign a financial agreement of the type you mentioned. It is legal. I mean, do you think an attorney would have you sign an illegal agreement? The basic concept is that an attorney doesn't "abandon" their client. However, they can stop working for them if the client isn't paying them. You aren't abandoned in the sense the attorney refuses to help you. He just needs to be paid. There are probably some that may accept being paid later from the settlement sale of real property IF they can place a lien on the property.