Paying for pre-paid legal is dangerous because you THINK that you have an attorney at the very time that you need one. This is the biggest rip-off of your money. They are more of a referral service, which you can get for free! I have paid $25 per month (taken directly from my checking account) for twelve months. I have called for three different issues, and they have not helped me yet. I have been told that I can take care of it myself, and the other two times, I was referred to attorneys that were not a part of the pre-paid plan. So many things are not covered, and you will need to pay addtional fees. I used the law firm in Forth Worth, Texas. I think these people might be right out of law school, assuming that they even graduated.
The long story: When you call, you must tell the receptionist your problem and give her your account number. She is polite, but can't quit repeat your message correctly. She gives you a case number and someone returns your call. Then that someone must make sure that your account is current, how many hours you have accumlated, and if your policy even covers your problem. Don't know why they can't do that before calling you.
The first time I called, the attorney told me to go to the law library, look for the form in the law books, and make a copy. He couldn't just mail the forms to me. The nearest law library to me is in Houston, Texas. I live in the suburbs, so I have to take time from work to go to the city. The law library is located in the same building where the people called for jury duty meet. It cost me $9.00 to park. The woman at the counter helped me, although she acted as though I should have known what to do. I make copies of the forms, and there is a cost for that.
The next time I called my pre-paid legal service in Fort Worth, TX, the attorney had to call me back after she studied the law books. Then, she calls me to tell me that I need an attorney in another state. She will have the attorney contact me. Since this attorney is not part of the plan, I will need to pay his or her fees, hopefully at a discounted rate. It has been four months, and I still haven't heard from that attorney.
I was served with a notice that I was being sued, along with my three siblings. I called my pre-paid legal service. I spoke to several attorneys. None were sure what to do. No experience in this type of law suit. They finally decided that no one there could help me becasue of the type of case it is, and because my law suit was in another county (still in Texas). Again, they have another attorney that will contact me. And again, he is not part of this program, so I might have to pay him a fee, hopefully at a discount.
I had done all the leg work pertaining to my case. My sister had done a lot of work, also. I just needed a little help. The people suing have no proof that they are suing the correct people. A letter from an attorney would get their attention.
At this point, I have paid $25 per month for 12 years. I am entitled to 39.5 pre trial hours and 295.5 trial hours.
My assigned attorney (in Nacogdoches, TX) spoke with me once and he did send my legal response to the court. He told me to be patient and that they had to prove why they could sue me. Since then, I have received additional problems in the mail. I mail everything that I receive to him, via FedEx. Now I can't get him to return any of my phone calls.
Thank God, I was not arrested and needed immediate representation.By the way, they don't work weekends, so definitely don't get into trouble between Friday afternoon and late Monday morning.
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