[Pre-paid legal service]

[The Badger531]

Does Anyone belong to the [Pre-paid legal service] and if so it is reeally worth the $$ we went to the gunshow in Pasadena this weekend and signed up for it it seems like a good deal BUT what do you Think?? http://www.[Pre-paid legal service].com
Sincerly,

The Badger531

[ELB]

Links to previous discussions of this here:

FAQ: Lawyers, PrePaid Legal, CHL Insurance

I know one guy who has this type of pre-paid legal service (i.e. for SD shootings); he likes it a lot because he has used prepaid legal services in his business and thinks it saved him a bundle. To my knowledge, he has never had to use the SD version. I don't know which company he went with.

[CompVest]

Excellent service. Well worth the money.

[Justin Franklin]

edit: removed by user

[Justin Franklin]

edit: removed by user

[Beiruty]

is there a legal-instance out there. I mean is there any insurance that will pay your legal bills (civil/criminal) no matter what is the cost? Is is affordable?

[Justin Franklin]

is there a legal-instance out there. I mean is there any insurance that will pay your legal bills (civil/criminal) no matter what is the cost? Is is affordable?

Here's a link to the NRA Endorsed Self Defense Insurance Coverage. They provide reimbursement if you are acquitted of the charges and they will also reimburse civil costs up to the limit of your policy.

http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/defense.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$100,000 Limit - $165.00
Excess Personal Liability & Self-Defense
$250,000 Limit - $254.00
Excess Personal Liability & Self-Defense

[Charles L. Cotton]

is there a legal-instance out there. I mean is there any insurance that will pay your legal bills (civil/criminal) no matter what is the cost? Is is affordable?

The NRA coverage is a reimbursement policy for criminal charges, meaning you have to win, then get reimbursed up to the amount of the coverage. I think $50,000 is the coverage limit. The civil coverage is a regular liability policy, meaning the insurance company will hire defense counsel for you and will cover damages up to the policy limit. I do not recall if there is a limit to defense costs, what we call an "eroding policy."

Chas.

[pcgizzmo]

Charles,

Being an attorney do you recommend this type of insurance? Also, I'm not familiar with your area of practice but do you defend self defense shootings? Thanks....

[Charles L. Cotton]

Charles,

Being an attorney do you recommend this type of insurance? Also, I'm not familiar with your area of practice but do you defend self defense shootings? Thanks....

I would never suggest that someone get or not get insurance or other protection; it's purely a personal decision. Just make sure you know precisely what you are getting and are not getting.

I'm a civil trial lawyer, so I could represent anyone sued for a self-defense shooting, but that's highly unlikely. I know criminal law because of my 30 years of work on this issue, but I don't practice in the criminal courts.

Chas.

[LOLWUT]

I've been considering this for a few weeks now. I think after christmas I'll ante up.

[thatguy]

I would like to qualify the fact that I am involved with [pre-paid legal] as they discuss part of the Texas penal code in my CHL classes. I have been working with them for a little over a year now and have watched thier client base grow.There are two things that I have decided about them. First and foremost I have mad a consciense decision to use deadly force in a given situation (God forbid that happens) regardless of my "legal coverage". Second, it is a service where if I need them I call one of ther attorneys who are on stand by 24/7. It is not a pre-paid legal service, it is truly a retainer for a lawyer. The fact is if anyone is involved in a shooting the police will show up and we will need an attorney. This is not the time to have to find one.

God Bless and Be Safe,

Brian Mobley

CHL Instructor
CHL Holder for 13 years

[Charles L. Cotton]

I would like to qualify the fact that I am involved with [pre-paid legal] as they discuss part of the Texas penal code in my CHL classes. I have been working with them for a little over a year now and have watched thier client base grow.There are two things that I have decided about them. First and foremost I have mad a consciense decision to use deadly force in a given situation (God forbid that happens) regardless of my "legal coverage". Second, it is a service where if I need them I call one of their attorneys who are on stand by 24/7. It is not a pre-paid legal service, it is truly a retainer for a lawyer. The fact is if anyone is involved in a shooting the police will show up and we will need an attorney. This is not the time to have to find one.

God Bless and Be Safe,

Brian Mobley

CHL Instructor
CHL Holder for 13 years

Why do you say it's not pre-paid legal? It is my understanding that the fee paid to [Pre-paid legal service] is a flat fee annually. It's not a retainer unless it's a deposit against future billings.

If you are involved with [pre-paid legal], please let TexasCHLforum Members know what is not covered; i.e. what will a defendant have to pay for himself or do without at trial. It has also been reported that one of these programs has a clause that allows them to cancel the agreement at any time. Is that [pre-paid legal]?

Again, I'm not recommending to buy or not buy such coverage, but if people are going to pitch these programs here on TexasCHLforum, I want to make sure our Members are thoroughly informed.

Chas.

[juggernaut]

If it's not "pre paid legal" regulated by TDLR then what is it?

Is it a retainer, and the client has to pay the balance himself for actual legal fees less the retainer?

Is it insurance, and the company (and salesmen) are licensed by the TDI where necessary?

What is covered, and what Texas agency regulates the product or service?

Much obliged.

[ELB]

If it's not "pre paid legal" regulated by TDLR then what is it?

...

Interestingly enough, the link provided goes to "For-Profit Legal Service Contracts," which per the FAQs do NOT include "pre-paid legal services." However according to the FAQs at the link, both For-Profit Legal Service Contracts and pre-paid legal services are regulated (in Texas) by the Occupations Code. For whatever that is worth.

I wonder if the reason there seems to be an effort to not be labeled "pre-paid legal" has anything to do with the history of the company known as "Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.". Per the Wikipedia entry (caveat as necessary), this company pioneered pre-paid legal services, but has also had some trouble with various attorney generals and the SEC. I could understand not wanting to be mistaken for a particular company.

Mr. Cotton has provided some pretty clear cut definitions. Retainer = attorney works until the money runs out. Pre-paid = attorney takes flat fee per time period, works as required (and per what's in the contract.)

So which is [pre-paid legal]? Certainly sounds pre-paid-ish. I am interested to see how this comes out.