Pre-Paid Legal Services

[Jim Miller]

I've been approached by a prepaid legal services company again. In the past I've blown them off, but now I think it may be good 'insurance' for a small business like mine.

If we ever found ourselves on the wrong end of a lawsuit, most of us would be severely harmed, and could go bankrupt paying $10,000 to $50,000 to defend ourselves. It happens.

From the experiences of others, we know that guilt is a non-issue. The cost of defense is about the same either way, even if we're completely innocent.

Do you have experience to share?

Are prepaid legal services of good quality? The references I've checked say yes.

Do you think prepaid legal services are worth the monthly price?

Reply privately if you don't want to spill your guts here.

 

[framerak]

I was an attorney in my former life and I participated as one of the contract attorneys for a pre-paid legal program. That's been several years ago and the programs have probably changed a bit but there are some things to look for in any service.

Does the program provide legal representation for contested cases? Many do not. Does your current insurance provide legal representation if your business gets sued for something like damaged artwork, slip & fall on your premises, etc? If so, pre-paid legal is not necessary for these type of actions. What business-type transactions are covered by the plan? Will they negotiate contracts or simply review documents?

My advice is to look carefully at your legal needs. Does the legal program provide the type of representation your business needs? If you only need the occasional contract reviewed, save your money and pay the consultation fee charged by an attorney of your choosing. If you want legal representation in the event you get sued, make sure the pre-paid legal folks will be there if the case goes all the way to trial.

Good luck and don't forget to read the small print!

Angela

 

[Framerguy]

Angela,

I am not trying to be nosy but, you have piqued my curiousity completely!

What attracted you to leave the law practice to become a framer??? I can understand a higher paying attraction but I would really be interested in your reasons for entering the wild wacky world of custom framing.

If this is too personal a question, I will understand but it seems very unusual for a lawyer to become a framer!

It is unusual for a framer to become a lawyer also, I guess.

Framerguy

P.S. I earmarked this thread for future reference regarding the tips you offered to Jim on picking a legal service. Very useful information.

 

[framerak]

It's kind of a strange career change, huh? I practiced law for 6 years and I hated it. I did criminal, juvenile and domestic relations and although I loved trial work, I got very burned out dealing with people at what was usually the worst point in their lives. People arguing over such important things as who would get the halibut in the freezer or the alarm clock, etc. My response was usually "Instead of paying me $125 an hour to fight over it, why not buy a new one?" And then there were the people who accused each other of child sex abuse the day before trial saying, "Oh I just remembered when he ...." At one point, the local district attorney called me to advise me to get a concealed weapon permit because they had heard some threats against me (a client's ex-husband who was a nut case). Bottom line, the work sucked, and I didn't like watching my rearview mirror all the time to see if I was being followed.

I went through a class called "Lawyers in Transistion" and discovered that I really enjoyed working with my hands and having a finished product at day's end. I love color and design so framing seemed a good fit. I got a part-time job at a big box and stayed almost 4 years (they made me a manager after 6 mos. 'cos they said I caught on quick). Then I moved to another frame shop, stayed for 3 years and then decided I wanted to make more money. I went back to the legal field and worked for a company that processed corporate bankrupcty claims, was pretty much miserable and then got laid off (thankfully!). Now I'm framing again and life is good. I'm still a card-carrying attorney although my membership is inactive but I doubt I'll ever practice law again.

Was that just an incredibly long answer to a really brief question? Must be the legal background; why use 25 words when you can use 300???

Angela

 

[Mike Labbe]

We have had several folks come in to the store pitching the pre-paid legal service, and I got the impression it was some kind of multi-level marketing scheme.

They are called "affiliates" and point you to a common canned web page, with their userid as part of the address. www.prepaidlegal.com/go/mike (thats someones real address) That may or may not be a bad thing, but we didn't go for it. It reminds me very much of the "long distance" multi level marketing programs several years ago.

I work part time for a large law firm (as their network administrator since 1991) and can ask one of the partners this week, if you'd like.

There was a thread about this topic last year, either here or on HH.

Mike

 

[Bob Carter]

Jim-From experience,let me say there is no greater need than for great counsel when you need it most. Someone with whom you have trust, someone that knows you and your situation trumps all other needs.

We, like most, have very little need for legal work. A document review here, a letter there-not much. But when the balloon goes up, you want to call in the troops at gallop speed.

I would be scared to death to have representation that I might be meeting for the first time. Here's the good news: If you are suing someone else, it will probably be on a contingency. If you are being sued, check your insurance policy. They usually provide for a level of protection and/or reimbursement of fees.

But, to rely upon someone that might change from month to month,or worse, might be their first job out of law school, now that's really gambling.

I guess quality comes at a price, be it framers, lawyers or plumbers. Now, if we could just get paid like them