Prepaid Legal ripoff Troy Michigantroy Michigan

Salvatore if 80% of the population can not afford attorneys then who is keeping all those attorneys busy? How are they getting paid by the middle class if they are "locked out" because they can not afford to pay the cost.

Salvatore not many people can afford to pay a bill of over $1000,00 in one month. for attorneys most put it on credit of some type or barrow money etc. But the attorneys get paid somehow.

Getting a discount of 25% on hourly fees which might make it lets say 100.00 an hour at a case that takes lets say 20 hours that is $2,000 can you afford that or would you still need a loan?

What is affordable? No payment plan? out right paying it up front? What is it?

Let me know please.

I've been trying to tell him that.

But Lori, if you couldn't afford $200-$300 per hr like 80% of the population, then PPL would look like a much better choice. Wouldn't it? I mean for most of the issues that people need a lawyer for on an everyday basis, PPL is great. (unless you had 10yrs hanging over your head, different story. lol).

Unless I misunderstood previous letters, you are an attorney. As such, I would expect that you would know how to spell, or at least how to use spell check correctly. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. May I advise that in the future, you have your secretary do your typing so that people on this 'forum' can take what you have to say seriously?

If you're truly an attorney, the advice that you have to give, especially in the area of wills, could be useful for others, but your unprofessional writing skills leaves much to be desired, and casts a doubt as to the validity of your statements. I have to admit that PPL wouldn't be my first choice for legal advice, and I hold the opinion that the buyer should beware with firms like this. However, please be informed that your posts as a legal advisor don't give me much more confidence as to your skills. Take a spelling class, or have your secretary do your typing..... it can't hurt your credibility.

No actually Carl, every state has one main provider law firm. But there are several other referral firms associated with Pre-paid in every state also. So yes, when you need a lawyer you do call your states provider law firm and if they are out of your area they will refer a law firm in your area.

I couldn't join PPL, even if I wanted to join PPL as a provider attorney. The allow one law firm to be provider for the entire state of California. It has 5 offices to serve a state wiht nearly 30 million people. If you don't get good service from a law firm who's nearest office is 50-100 miles away, you are out of luck.

considered becoming a pre-paid legal provider attorney. I understand the pay is very good. In fact, there are several states attorneys that are provider attorneys as well as associates for PPL. You're taking the business anyway (or so you say), why not get paid the going rate of a PPL provider attorney? It seems that the State of California could use someone with your experience to provide top-notched legal representation for them. Just for the record, the states attorneys I have heard first hand were making the same comments as you before they actually became involved with PPL on a first-hand basis. Their job is to be skeptical. They found out that their skepticism was wrong. I know you say that you can retire off the number of people you have coming to you that were not happy with PPL, but if that is actually the case, why are you still working? Just a thought. I'm not trying to be a smart a*s.

No doubt PPL's legal service is great for some and not for others, no one said it is for everybody. But for your average middle class citizen like myself it is like a miracle at times. I have saved so much money since I have had the service just by giving my lawyers a call and letting them take care of the rest. But the identity theft shield service that they offer is second to none. Now that is something that everyone needs especially at the rate that identity theft is going. I know Carl, you are going to say that there are other companies that offer identity theft protection and that is true, but there is no other company who #1 uses "kroll" the worlds leading risk management company doing the I.D. theft protection. And #2 they are the only company that does the full restoration of your identity in the case that your identity is stolen. So like Jacqueline said, instead of worrying about what they don't cover and expecting everything for little to nothing, focus on what you are getting for a very small monthly fee. Also, PPL gives people like myself who screwed up in the past and who never went to collage a chance to learn about building a business while building one, at the same time making good money. They provided to me a chance to live the good life. And no, the business opportunity isn't for everyone either, but in life what is for everyone? Not everything can make everyone happy.

At the rate I get clients that were dissatisfied with PPL attorneys, I'll retire early. PPL can be a good value, but it still boils down to the quality provider attorney. Even a blind squirrel can find a nut once is a while. But with little research, you can find a local attorney of your choice who can most likely provide the same or better servic as PPL provider w/o paying $26 per month. PPL is not some miracle form heaven. It's good for some & not for others.

Well said Jacqueline. Finally someone with a brain and some common sense in this forum! Don't worry Carl, I don't mean that toward you. I know how sensitive you are...

I've read your responses to one another and I have a few statements to make. I am also an associate of PPL. I have a very strong belief in the system as well as the product. I have heard first hand several testimonials regarding the product. For example, a close friend has a daughter who was charged with theft. She was looking at a thirty year sentence. She was able to RETAIN the services of the PPL provider attorney for $1,200. I don't know about you, but to be able to retain the services of an AV rated attorney who is one of the best criminal lawyers in the area who also represents a local celebrity while facing a thirty year sentence for $1,200 and walking away without a scratch can't be beat. Carl, how much would you have charged to represent this person? Maybe $1,200 per hour? Are you a criminal lawyer or do you practice several areas of law? I would also venture to ask for all of those people that say they have a friend or family member who's a lawyer that can handle any legal situation there is for them -- remember that Mike Tyson took a tax attorney with him to defend him in a criminal case. The law firms that PPL has in place are top-notched attorneys. My first time using them was when I was trying to get in contact with my retained attorney for $900 that wasn't returning my phone calls. I had been trying for weeks with no response. This wasn't the first time I had used the attorney so I had been treated this way by him before and swore I wouldn't use him again. When it came time for yet another legal matter, I didn't know who else to call so I ended up calling the same stupid lawyer. I got the same exact thing again. I called PPL and got a return call within 2 hours. I have used them several other times and always get a return call within a couple of hours. It's a requirement of their contract to do so. Their advice has been great in every respect. PPL is not promising that you will win your cases or that you're not going to pay. They are stating that right now you don't have ANYTHING to go on in order to protect your and your family's rights. I'm so tired of hearing people talk about what it doesn't cover and how they still have to pay. It covers SO much for just $26.00 per month that to ask you to pay a little more to handle a divorce or a criminal case is not too much to ask. Everyone wants something for nothing or little to nothing. You're getting quite a bit for that $26.00 per month and Salvatore hit them all. Keep in mind that the program does actually cover job-related criminal cases. So, teachers, law enforcement, doctors, nurses, day care personnel, etc., etc., etc. should ALL be covered by this plan.

Think about it. We have all been scammed so much that we don't have the mind to open our minds to allow the blessings to flow when they DO come our way. This program is and can be a blessing to each and every person reading this posting right now. It can keep you out of trouble. I used it to have a leasing agreement reviewed as part of my benefits, it kept me from signing an agreement that had some illegal clauses in it. Think about it.

I have got to say Carl, you had me rolling with that one..LOL.

Anyway let's see, Carl the lawyer has proved that he knows more about wills, estate planning, last testaments, lawyer lingo, blah blah blah... then a 24 yr old who barely graduated high school. Alright! Hats off to you Carl, your the man!! Woo-h*o... No Carl, I don't claim to know the legal end of it all. That is why I have lawyers.

As far as me not owning a house, I just knew you were going to bring that up, man you are transparent. Well, think about it Carl. I am 24yrs old, a single father, this is my first year making those numbers and obviously I have past credit issues. Yes, I have screwed up financially in the past and am working on fixing things up. One thing at a time Carl.

I have to say I am still amused by that "shillvatore" comment, that was hysterical! And I'm not being sarcastic this time, you are a funny guy Carl!
Until next time Carl...

Dear Pre-Paid Legal Shill:

You haven't pissed me off, despite your ad hominem personal attacks. You are nothing to me, but I also don't want people to be mislead by your comments.

Martindale Hubble is a fine publication, but it is only slightly better than using the Yellow Pages as a tool for finding an attorney. the only reason I don't have an AV listing is becuase I choose to use my $1500 yearly listing fee for other purposes.

As obviously you have a lot to learn about estate planning. I am well aware of the purpose of a living will and I offer the California equivalent on my website for free, no retainer required. I also offer a last will & testament, no retainer required. By the way, do YOU know the difference between the two? Do you know which one to use to appoint guardians for your children if you pass away? And did your Pre-Paid provider tell you about need a financial power of attorney so people can take care of your financial affairs if you become the next Terri Schiavo?

As far as your claims about your income and age, I say thanks for the laugh. You are either lying or not particularly bright with your finances. If you are 24 and making close to 6 figures and don't own a house, I would say that you are a liar or really bad with your finances. Call your prepaid provider and see he can recommend a financial planner for you so you can save some money on taxes by having a mortgage. And if you own your own business, ask your provider to set you up with a corporation to further ease your tax burden.

OK Carl, I guess the provider firm in California isn't so great, OK we get your point. But the client that you spoke to that was looking for a business attorney is most likely, like everyone else who bad mouths Pre-Paid Legal, the type of person who expects to get absolutely everything possible like they were spending $400 an hour, for as little as possible. As far as me not owning a house no I don't, not everyone is a home owner, there for not everyone needs a living trust. Unless you are just plain selfish a living will is the most important of all (example: Terri Schiavo). What is pissing you off more Carl, the fact that I am defending Pre-paid Legal and I am a firm believer in the company and the product? Or the fact that you are going back and forth with a 24 yr old who barely graduated high school by the skin of my teeth and with no other education makes Very close to six figures a year? At my age Carl you were still in law school making barely nothing flipping burgers or probably interning by that time. And depending how old you are you are most likely still paying off your tuition. Doesn't it just tick you college educated, white collar workers off when you find out that a uneducated, blue collar, middle class no body like myself is making just as much if not more then you? I know I would be if I wasted that much time and money in school and I have to spend 10 yrs+ paying it back. And Carl please use spell check when you write, I can barely make out what you are trying to write.

Salvatore, thank you for pretty much confirming my initial impression that you are a shill for Pre-Paid Legal. I just got off the phone with a client looking for a business attoney this morning who was very unhappy with the service provided by Pre-Paid Legal, so I guess should indirectly that you and your company for me client.

Your last comments the validity and usefulness of the will provided to you indicate that you do not own a home. I hope your sales incrase to the point where you can guy a home and would need a living trust instead of just a will.

Salvatore, thank you for pretty much confirming my initial impression that you are a shill for Pre-Paid Legal. I just got off the phone with a client looking for a business attoney this morning who was very unhappy with the service provided by Pre-Paid Legal, so I guess should indirectly that you and your company for me client.

Your last comments the validity and usefulness of the will provided to you indicate that you do not own a home. I hope your sales incrase to the point where you can guy a home and would need a living trust instead of just a will.

Salvatore, thank you for pretty much confirming my initial impression that you are a shill for Pre-Paid Legal. I just got off the phone with a client looking for a business attoney this morning who was very unhappy with the service provided by Pre-Paid Legal, so I guess should indirectly that you and your company for me client.

Your last comments the validity and usefulness of the will provided to you indicate that you do not own a home. I hope your sales incrase to the point where you can guy a home and would need a living trust instead of just a will.

Oh Carl, you are a silly guy. And why is this AV rating nonsense getting you so ticked? Hmmm... Anyway.

1. Thanks, you have made even more of a believer of martin dale hubble out of me. I would rather be referred to a lawyer by a lawyer, not just any consumer.

2. No Carl, I don't think you are a "bum". OK?

3. I really didn't care if I offended you, I was being sarcastic.

4. I am not misrepresenting your statements. You said that you would compete with there rates. Well, what I stated above is what you get for $26 a month. Will you and/or a partner do all of that for that rate, Yes or No?

5. If the will and living will was all that you get then it still would be worth it, that is all most people need. But, since you mentioned it I did my homework and yes you do get everything that you asked.

And lastly you really need to get off this forum and get some clients. Hey, I think Pre-paid needs another lawyer in Cali. lol.

Sal
East Haven, Connecticut

1. And just because fellow lawyers have rated each AV, BV or CV doesn't mean they know squat about the other lawyers. Some people feel that consumers would rather learn about lawyers from other consumers who've used lawyer. To suggest that a book about lawyers paying to be rated by other lawyers is the best method for picking lawyer is rather silly. You may as well do a Google search and pick someone from a sponsored add.

2. An AV rating is nice to have, but it simply is a reflection of how other lawyers rated each other. Having been hired by AV lawyers before, I guess that means I am not a "bum" in your eyes. My point is that you are grossly exagerating the value of an AV rating.

3. You didn't offend me, you amused me. If I wanted to pay to have an AV rating, I would have one. I have better things to do with my money. the balance of your post is a personal attack that isn't even worth wasting my time on a repsonse.

4. Finally, quit misrepresenting my statements. Yes, I will match my skills and prices against the Pre-Paid Legal provider firm in California within my areas of practice. I will match them value for value, dollar for dollar. I didn't say anything about represent people outside of California, so stop being silly. I don't do criminal law, traffic tickets or IRS audits. I didn't say that I offer all of the same services.

By way, that silly little will and living will are practically worhtless and probably the bare minimum that you need. Do you also have a durable power of attorney for health care? What about a power of attorney for financial matters? How about a living trust to avoid probate and maybe avoid federal estate taxes when you die? The next time your provider attorney reviews your will, ask him how much time and expense if you were to die with only a will. Then you can ask how much a proper estate plan costs and why they put you at risk by not bringing these subjects up before.

First off Carl, just because you know and trust someone well and they worked with a lawyer or two before doesn't mean that they know squat about lawyers.



Two, even if the AV rating is only based on the most senior partner I don't think that he is going to hire "bum" lawyers to be a part of his firm and possibly ruin there reputation. And that alone means a lot about the law firm.



Third, Sorry if I offended you, but I never questioned your skills as a lawyer, but obviously you have your own doubts if you feel that you even need to bring it up. But, I would say by the amount of rebuttals that you post on this site (cause I see your name all over) that you seem to not have much work to do, meaning you don't have many clients and that says a lot about you. And don't say that you post these rebuttals on your spare time, any descent lawyer I know don't have much spear time. I have a lawyer married into my family who is part of one of the largest law firms in Connecticut and when he is not at the office or in court he is at home trying to spend the little time he has with his family or going over clients cases, preparing for the next day, week, etc.



Lastly, You claim that you will match your price with any Pre-paid legal provider firm, C'mon. So you are saying that you will set up an 800 # for me to reach you in-case I am out of the area? You will make unlimited phone calls on my behalf, plus 2 business calls per year? You will write an unlimited amount of letters, plus 2 business letters per year? You will review an unlimited number of legal documents for me up to 10 pages long, plus 1 business document per year? I can just send you any traffic tickets and an unlimited amount that I may get, and you will defend me without me even having to go to court? And if I get a ticket in another state you will have a lawyer from that state defend me and again I don't have to be there? You will defend me against certain motor vehicle charges as long as they are not drug or alcohol related, etc? You will give me driver's license assistance? You will help me with personal injury/property damage collection assistance of $2000 or less? For trial defense, you will give me 82 hrs my first year and raise the hours every year until the fifth year where you will give me 335 total hours? You will defend me if the IRS decides to audit me? Also, you will have another toll free number set up for me just in-case I am detained or questioned any time of the night or day, 24/7? Anything that I did not mention that is not covered you will give me 25% discount off of your firms hourly rate? Oh yea, I also want all of this to cover my wife and children too? You will do all of the above for $26 a month? If you will then you are hired and I will tell a lot of people about you especially my family in California!



Oh yea, will you also prepare my wife's and my will and living will? Also, will you update it every year? Just for choosing you as my attorney?

Let's see now...should I asked people that I know and trust to recommend a good lawyer or a publication based on a mutual admiration society? Should I trust someone with experience working with an attorney or should I read a book?



By the way, the AV rating of Martindale Hubble for a law firm is based on the rating of the most senior partner and doesn't necessarily reflect the rating of the other attorneys working for the firm. I once had an AV rating because I worked for an AV rated firm. I choose not to pay to be listed in Martindale Hubble. Did I suddenly lose my skills? Certainly not. Within my areas of practice, I will match my skills and price with any prepaid legal provider in California.

Lelye, I completely agree with everything that you said on your comment. Quick story-Back in May I had a dispute with my new phone company, didn't have much of a problem with my old phone company, but the new one was supposed to have cheaper rates, so they said. Anyway, my phone bill ended up being over $800 for one month (from excepting collect calls), but by the rates that they promised it should of been more like around $250. I must have called them over ten times with no results what so ever. About that time is when I joined Pre-Paid legal. My provider attorney wrote a letter and sent me a copy. She told me to give it 14 days and if I didn't hear from the phone company to call her back. Well, by this time it was already well into July, I finally called back my attorney to tell that they didn't respond to her letter instead they sent me another bill for over $800. My lawyer told me to send the copy of her letter along with the copy of the bill to the phone company again, but this time wait no more then 10 days to call her with no response. Being the procrastinator that I am I never did send out the letter for a second time, but just today 8-15-05 I received a letter in the mail by the phone company stating that "even though we have no record of quoting you wrong and deems all charges billed correctly. However, in effort to resolve this dispute, we will adjust all calls to 10cents per minute and a credit of $641.50 including taxes has been issued to your account". There is definitely something powerful about having an attorney on retainer even for minute situations like that for the middle class like myself. And when I first told that company that I was going to have my attorney contact them, they practically laughed at me. Well, who's laughing now? I am also an Independent Associate of Pre-paid Legal and I wish that I found them (or they found me) years ago! It is a great opportunity for average people with no college experience, like myself to make a great living. And the training that they provide is second to none, they have people in and out of the company speaking at events and we are always trained to be honest with people especially potential prospects. No bull, just tell them what they are getting with the plan/s and that's it. All I know is that I am 28 yrs old I don't have to breath in automotive paint fumes that is going to cause cancer and kill me very soon any longer and I am able to spend more time with my 9 month old little girl and wife then anyone I know who is still part of the "rat race" and who still thinks like an "employee" and unfortunately will never change, and who still will have a mortgage at 65 yrs old. That is definitely not the way that I will be living my life. I know this was long, but I felt that I had to defend my company.

Well, Carl as far as finding a lawyer in martin dale hubble (even though they may not be perfect) is still a better way to obtain a lawyer then asking your bone-head friends, family or even co-workers. Do you really think that they all know or are more educated about attorneys and law then a directory that is written for that purpose. And as far as there being only one provider law firm in Cali. Every state has there one provider law firm who you first call with your legal problem. If they can't be of assistance to you for one of many reasons, then they refer you out to another one of the other several or sometimes hundreds (depending on the size of the state) of law firms who are affiliated with prepaid legal.



In response to the woman who said she rather deal with someone who knows her well and that she feels comfortable with. When you first ever met your lawyer did you both feel that way about each other? Since I have been with pre-paid every time I call my provider firm I talk to the same attorney, she makes me feel very comfortable and we are establishing a good professional relationship. Before I had pre-paid legal I used the same law firm for over 15yrs. and one of the top attorneys was related. They never made me feel as my pre-paid lawyer does nor was I ever given any kind of a discount. They recently charged my wife $200 just to spend 30min. telling them about her case. And wanted $4000 just to get started. It's nice to have a lawyer in the family, huh? We ended up finding someone to take her case for half that. Wish we had Pre-paid then.

Women comes into my shop and wants to invite me to a breakfast meeting on Friday morning at 9 am on a way to IMPROVE MY BUSINESS. Has a flyer about a teleconference call with Fran Tarkenton, ex-football player. After many questions, about what it is she is offering, she finally admits it's PREPAID LEGAL. Nowhere on the flyer is PPL mentioned. Joined PPL for a year, several years back. Never used any of their services so couldn't say if they are worth the money or not. Call my own attorney on a regular basis. He knows me in and out. Would rather used someone who knows me and my family. But that's me.

Yes, I am familiar with Martindale Hubble and being listed in Martindale Hubble is not big deal. An "AV" Rating is just a peer review system, it means nothing. I have worked for attorneys with an AV rating and having an AV rating is no big deal. Martindale Hubble is a mutual admiration society just like eBay and you can pay for an "expanded" listing. No thanks. If you are relying on Martindale Hubble as your primary resource, you are making a mistake.



There is only one provider law firm in the entire state of California. If you don't like the firm, you have no other choices. The value of pre-paid legal is strictly tied to the quality of attorney and I can assure that can get the same or better service from a local attorney without having to be a member of prepaid legal and without dealing with a stuffy lawyer that likes to promote a meaningless AV rating.

Well Carl, since you are a lawyer then I'm sure you are familiar with the martin-dale-hubble directory (I would hope you are, being a lawyer). Well, all of the provider law firms associated with pre-paid legal are rated in there. And as you probably know an "AV" rating is the highest that a law firm can get. I am from Connecticut and our provider law firm has an "AV" rating and I just met 12 of there 16 lawyers today. They are an excellent law firm and they treat me like I have been a top paying client for years.



Pre-paid use to have an open-book system to choose there law firms, similar to how medical insurance companies choose doctors. So, perhaps some of these people who are complaining about the quality of there state's provider law firm is because the firm has been around since the open-book system, and reasons like that is why pre-paid doesn't choose there law firms that way any-longer. So, If you are looking for a good attorney you find one in the martin-dale-hubble directory not by asking friends, family, etc. like Carl suggests.

I came across this website and comments about Pre Paid Legal by accident and have to respond. People should know that what Pre Paid Legal has is an amazing service which I have personally used, saving time and money, not to mention frustration at not having the clout that companies or individuals would respond to. My husband used the service yesterday. There is power in having an Attorney send a letter on your behalf or make a phone call for you. Having documents reviewed and having your Will prepared are services we have done without because we are priced out of the services of an Attorney who don't return your phone call unless they see a huge return of investment of their time and services. Pre Paid Legal is changing the way people utilize the services of an Attorney and people are finding value in the service and now with the Identity Theft Protection Services there isn't a better time to get involved with Pre Paid Legal Services. If everyone felt like I do then it really wouldn't be such a great opportunity, right? I think Pre Paid Legal is the best thing that ever happened for the 80% of us who would not be able to afford the services of an Attorney. By the way, the lawsuit in Alabama has been resolved and I have listened to many Attorney General's who think everyone needs this service and everyone can afford it. By pooling our money we can all have access to the Justice system. What a great concept, thank you Harlan Stonecipher for creating this service. I also take advantage of the persoanl development tools and love defending Pre Paid Legal. Working with this company means working along side of great, people who offer a great product. there is nothing better than that. Leslye Leiter, Independent Associate, Santa Barbara, CA

I used to sell Pre-Paid Legal because it sounded like a good service, they were on the NYSE, and because they were getting a lot of favorable press in many business magazines.



The service SOUNDS great: pay $25 per month and have unlimited access to top-notch attorneys nationwide. That's all true and the service has the potential to be very valuable except for one thing - most of the attorneys I talked to couldn't care less about helping me. They seemed more interested in getting you off the phone and marking your issue as "resolved" than in giving sound legal advice.



I'll briefly share my good and bad experiences.



1. I bought one of these "turn-key" internet businesses for $8000 from a company that had a "no refund" policy. After finding out the business wasn't all it was cracked up to be I requested a refund and was refused. I called Pre-Paid Legal, they sent the company a letter and I got my $8000 back. For this I am very grateful to Pre-Paid Legal and this alone made my membership worth it. On the negative side the letter seemed very "boiler plate" and, at the bottom, even stated that I "had not retained the law firm and, therefore, any future responses from the company should be sent directly to me". I don't know whether this wording is legally required but it almost made it seem that I was bluffing. I can't argue with results, though. The letter DID work.



2. My parents bought a membership from me and the law firm in Arizona screwed their Will up so bad that it was laughable and, I imagine, would have had a hard time standing up in court. Names misspelled, instructions not carried out correctly, using "him" when referring to their granddaughter, etc. It was embarrassing.



3. I used them for several other business related questions and every time I spoke with them I got the impression that they didn't care about my issue and just wanted to get off the phone with me so they can get on to the next phone call. There just wasn't any genuine willingness to help me and take the time to give me in-depth legal advice. (Keep in mind that, at the time, I was selling the service and I really wanted to believe it was valuable - but I was beginning to have my doubts.)



4. The final straw came when I got a speeding ticket. I had been to enough Pre-Paid Legal conventions and heard the sales pitch from their top representatives enough times to remember that in regards to speeding tickets, "no matter how many tickets you get, whether you're guilty or not, Pre-Paid Legal will have an attorney represent you in court at no charge AS OFTEN AS YOU NEED IT". So, I called the law firm and was informed that since I was, in fact, speeding they wouldn't represent me at no charge (I could, however, hire them at a 25% discount).



At this point I decided I could no longer ethically market this service so I quit.



I'm sure there are good attorneys that are part of the Pre-Paid Legal network but, in the vast majority of my experiences they just plain didn't care.

Another thing a qualfied estate planning lawyer will do is help you with a living will or an advanced health care directive. I assume all of you have heard of Terry Schiavo. There are many places where you can get a living will or advanced health care directive for free. If Terry Schiavo and her husband had done this, we wouldn't be having this 15-year court battle and the attempted intervention by Congress.

As Tim correctly observed, estate planning is a complicated subject best addressed by a qualified estate planning attorney in your state. However, I will offer a couple of general comments on the "will" question. Everybody should have a will, but some people might want to have more advanced estate planning devices like a living trust.



People will have a living trust to (1) avoid probate; (2) avoid conservatorship; (3) to avoide the federal death; and (4) privacy. In California, estates over $100,000 generally require probate and probate can be time consuming an expensive. If you own any type of real property, you will probably want a livint trust to avoide probate. Property inherited through a living trust is also treat more favorably for capital gains purposes than property inherited by joint tenancy.



The above information only scratches the surface of the topic, so it is very important to have your questions answered by an attorney authorized to practice law in your state.

Carl can probably answer the "will" question better than I. In case he decides not to, here is a rudimentary answer to that question.



First, wills are easy. Or, at least, a lawyer providing a will for little little compensation can make the process easy by failing to apprise a client of long-term ramifications of their estate plan. I'm not talking about anything rising to the level of malpractice. A good estate plan, however, requires more than the bare-bones counselling you may get from a sort of "discount" attorney. Any Joe can pick up a will form at Staples and, so long as he follows the formalities required by law (witnesses, etc.), he can draft a valid will (I would not recommend going this route). What I'm saying is that it DOESN"T take alot of effort to draft a will. What takes effort is counselling the client. If you're taking the time to prepare a will, and to have an attorney do it for you, you're going to want a pretty high level of motivated service.



Second, an estate plan based entirely in testamentary disposition (a will) is not right for everybody. Some people may be better off without a will. For example, if you want your estate to be divided equally between your adult children, and you have no living spouse or parents, the law will divide your estate in just that manner without a will. Having a will, in that circumstance, could lend your estate to unecessary litigation (but I'm not sure if a lawyer would ever actually advise going without a will).



Maybe you want to avoid probate entirely, in which case revocable trusts might be better for you. Maybe you would be better off transferring assets into joint tenancies with your expected heirs. The manner of disposition that you choose will have a bearing on the taxes due on your estate, the potential for litigation, and the amount of time that your heirs will have to wait for their share of your bounty.



The optimal estate plan would probably be some combination of a few different avenues of disposition, tailored to the individual's resources and desires.



So, then, providing a free will is a valuable service in its own right. But it's kind of like giving people a free gallon of diesel fuel with the purchase of a car wash: it's not such a great deal if it's not the right product for you.

Just an observation: why do all attorneys say people need more than a basic will?



I would think a basic will covers about 70-80% of the population's needs.



I am not trying to be argumentitive, but want to know: what else is needed for an average person?

I am an attorney in California. I have no knowledge of the quality of the attorneys that are affiliated with Prepaid Legal. As with any law firm, the level of service you get often depends on the particular attorney assigned to your matter.



In the past, I have offered retainer agreements to clients that include free phone calls. Some matters can be dealt with over the phone, others are more complicated. The issue that I have with a lot of the anti-Prepaid Legal postings is that they seem to lack specifics. Is it worth $15-$30 a month to be able to speak with an attorney for free? That depends on the quality of other attorney and the advice given. We sell our time, so I don't know how much time an attorney is willing to spend with you unless it will lead to substantial legal work. And a savvy consumer might be able to find a local attorney who can meet or beat the cost of Prepaid Legal's programs.



By the way, the free will is a throw away. Most people need more than a will for their estate planning



How do you find a good lawyer? Friends, co-workers, employers and even other lawyers can often offer recommendations. Business people or professionals such as bankers, ministers, doctors, social workers and teachers are also good sources.



Be a wise consumer and shop around. Obviously Prepaid Legal works great for some people but not for others.

Ladies & Gentlemen,



I want to share my experience of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. The membership has indeed made a difference, both in my personal life, and business activity. I have been given the royal treatment, and have had the most wonderful experience with this wonderful company. All my legal issues were resolved in a prompt, and professional manner. There is no negativity in the service provided nor in the membership. It is a preventive, and corrective service. And it is a much needed service in the market today. According to the stadistics an individual is more likely to be in court three times more than actually going to the hospital. I looked at the European stadistics, and they have had a similar service for about 80 years. And their ratio of lawsuits is below 13%. While in our great country we represent more than 80% of all the lawsuits worldwide.



This is just my opinion, not to contradict anyone, but to specify the facts. And I am giving testimony that my experience with this wonderful company is of the upmost positiveness and they truly deliver the results as prescribed on the membership. Best regards, Richard

Hi,



Just a quick response to people who have had negative experiences with Pre-Paid Legal.



A lot of times, products can be oversold. If they are, people end up getting less value than what they thought they paid for.



I don't know what happened exactly with the people who call the Pre-Paid Legal membership a scam, but it has worked very well for me.



As a benefit through the school where I taught, I purchased the plan. 3 weeks after I first got the plan, I had a student threaten to sue me over a homework assignment. (It's kind of a long story - I'd be happy to share it with anyone who cares to know.) Just knowing that there was a card in my back pocket was peace of mind for me, and I had the ability to tell the student to go ahead and sue me if they wished. I knew I was right (because all I had asked the student to do was turn in the homework or they would fail my class), and if they wanted to sue me, I had the best attorneys in the US already on retainer.



I have used the service to save hundreds in traffic court (mostly on insurance costs), and I have had contracts reviewed which I would have signed if not for the advice of an attorney. I also, at a young age, have my will done, including a living will and durable power of attorney, which are the most important documents I feel I can have living in our world today. This all gives me great peace of mind, and helps me know I'm living a responsible life, and having a Pre-Paid Legal membership helps me to make better decisions.



It is for these reasons that I still have the service nearly 2 years later, and why I chose to market the service starting a year and a half ago. I still market the service today. Through the business, have been able to replace my full-time teaching income with a part-time business.



I know lots of people who have used and enjoyed their memberships, and have benefitted from being able to use it in a variety of situations.



These are my thoughts, and I've submitted them because I thought someone should present the other side of the coin.



Thanks,

If you're like many people, the first time you come to rip-off report is AFTER you've been scammed. Sometimes, the information in these reports will help you get all your money BACK. Other times, it is gone for good!



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Before you're ready to spend, take a few minutes to check. It could be a business you're thinking about buying. Or, a friend lets you in on a hot tip. Maybe it's a new item you'd like to purchase. Or, just an everyday need that you have to take care of. Whatever it is, tell them hold on a minute.



I got to check this out on BADbusinessbureau.com!



That's the last thing a fraud ever wants to hear! You see, unlike the Better business bureau, the BADbusinessbureau can't be bought off. There is no membership for a crook to join into. Nothing is ever covered up, like in the Better business bureau. At the BADbusinessbureau, you get the story straight from the people who seen the actual scam. Nothing gets taken down. There is no way for a con artist to keep you from reading the facts.



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God bless all of you!

In response to the many complaints about Pre Paid Legal Service, here is an experience......



My Best Friends wife signed up to become a distributer of Pre Paid Legal...she is such a sucker for a good sales pitch, however myself being a former paralegal and my wife currently working for a lawyer, we immediatly saw red flags and flaws in the offering...



We explained to her that pre paid legal was a two way attorney referral service, where the client pays a fee to have a referral and the attorneys pay to be able to receive the referral. For services such as Wills, and other non ligigation issues, they may be fine, but as evidenced by these posted complaints, any type of actual court procedings, they are going to be less then satisfactory, primarily because of liability issues.



Her counter point was that the PPL Service was like an HMO for your legal needs (HMO??? I thought there were enought problems with those!!!) I didn't have to counter that because 2 days later she got a letter from NC Bar telling her to cease and desist from practising law without a licence...why? She used posting material from some other associate advertising the PPL service, posted it at the court house, and an attorney saw it and sent it to the NC Bar. She didn't treat it as a big deal, stating "Someone else made it.." I told her she put her name on it, the material gave the impression that she herself was providing the PPL Service, rather than selling a memebership. To this day she still supports PPL even though she dont sell it anymore (denial). I still contend it is a borderline double dipping scam that offers no real benefit to the average person or attorney.



My advice for folks looking to get legal help on demand, Have a attorney on Retainer... you can get information on attorneys from the state bar, you can choose one, pay him retainer fee, and you will have him at you call for legal needs. Most attorneys provided inital visits for free (especially for injury or bankruptcy) or for a low fee ($25 at my wife's office) for other matters. Or take what you would pay for PPL service, put that money in a deposit CD every month, if you ever need legal service , you'd have the funds to pay an attorney.



There are many lawyers out there, and some of them actually practice law (i.e. go to trial). I'd avoid accident attorneys for other legal matters, just like I avoid chiropractors for health care.



I always Read Rip Off Reports



I'm just here to help

Your Friend,