Wed 20 Jun 2007
The pre-paid plans are promoted as the cheap way of getting legal advice as compared to the regular plan. However, the pre-paid plans have its limits they are:
The limited service is provided and the only unlimited is the phone calls you make to the attorney for advice and consulting.
The regular visit to the attorney’s office is limited to a 10 or 12 hours per month.
The wills and the other agreements would limit to two to three copies per year.
The more complex matters, which require more time and dedication is absent. If you want the attorney to represent you in a lawsuit or any legal matter, you will have to pay the regular fees to the lawyer. In this case, some lawyers will offer you discount on their fees.
The Legal office will offer you the services of the attorneys who are working with them and so you do not have a choice and will have to do with the attorney they provide. Although, you have many attorneys to choose from but the relationship does not build.
Usually the people involved in the pre-paid legal plans appoint new, and inexperienced people who are unable to advice you on many subjects. They may be able to help you in routine jobs but not any difficult cases like children’s custody etc.
It is always better to rely on experienced attorneys. If you want a good attorney, pre-paid legal plans are not for you. You can recruit your own by talking to your friends, interviewing the attorneys, ask the clients of the attorney. This will give you a good lawyer whom you can trust and rely on their judgment.