Thoughts on Legal Shield

[Patri]

DS and his wife signed up, as did her parents, and co-workers in their family business. Worth it? Anyone have experience with the plan? I am skeptical. It is MLM.

 

[davidvel]

The biggest knock is that they DO NOT provide you with a defense of any lawsuit (after 2.5-4.5 hours) UNTIL YOU ARE IN TRIAL. (5 hours will be gone in the first 2 days after being served with the complaint if you are sued.) 99% of all litigation costs for all matters are PRE-trial, as over 90% of cases settle before trial. (And imagine how your attorney will do if they did nothing before the jury was selected.)

Also nearly all suits regular people will face are covered by some type of insurance (home, renter, auto), which provides a FULL defense.

Yes, there are little perks like hone calls and letters, but any local attorney will do this for a few bucks. I would suggest getting a jar, and putting the monthly fee in it, and then use it for vacation. YMMV.

B. Pre-Trial Time, in the schedule above, is defined as Provider Attorney time rendered in defense of a covered lawsuit prior to the date of jury selection (in a jury trial) or opening statements (in a non-jury trial.

There is also a long list of exclusions for any defense:
Trial Defense Services Exclusions:
1. Defense of any criminal charge.
2. Any lawsuit involving alcohol, drugs, substance abuse, chemical abuse or dependency or the use of medicines, whether prescribed or not, hit-and-run charges or leaving the scene of an accident.
3. Any matter against the Member which arises as a result of business matters or interests (regardless of the form of the entity).
4. Assistance in matters relating to dissolution of marriage, separation, annulment, child custody or other divorce or domestic related issues, or bankruptcy proceedings.
5. Class actions, amicus curiae filings or interventions filed in which the Member is a party or potential party.
6. Pre-existing Conditions.
7. Any matter where, in the Professional Judgment of the Provider Attorney, a claim, defense or legal position is not likely to prevail in court.
8. Garnishment, attachment, collection, appeal or any other post judgment relief action.
9. Counter claims where the Member initiated a lawsuit.
10. Any matter where the Member is acting on behalf of, or representing, another party (for example:executor, administrator, guardian or trustee).

 

[Passepartout]

This is called 'pre-paid legal' My wife is an attorney and neither she, nor any other of her colleagues hereabouts accept it.

Read through the list of exceptions above and decide if this product is of value to you. Most likely it isn't.

Jim

 

[Jason245]

This typical of service would probably be good for a will.. real estate transaction review etc.. for actual litigation, you ain't gonna get the cream of the crop..

Think of this as prepaid basic legal services, and dump once your will or real estate needs end..

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[Kozman]

A friend recently tried to use an attorney through Legal Shield and they provided a written letter. After that they offered a 25% discount on fees to continue or take action. She has been paying monthly for over 10 years and all she got was a stinkin' letter written.

They do as little as possible for you. Not worth it in my opinion.

 

[nightnurse613]

OTOH, we have had it for years. I think we pay about $200 a year which allows us to keep wills and POAs up to date. Received advice on photo radar ticket, read over contracts, reviews other documents and provide legal advice with just a phone call. Services that would be eaten up pretty quickly for a couple of hundred dollars. Also, NOT a fly by night legal office in a dark corner of a 7-11. Well known and respected FULL STAFF of lawyers. If I recall correctly, the longer you are with them-the more free hours of representation you get. Also, discounted fees (at $250 an hour!!) Available direct and from some employers, too....

 

[SmithOp]

I have ARAG through my pension system, $17 a month. We have used it for will and trust, and the web site to download lease forms for rental property.


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[Patri]

Also, discounted fees (at $250 an hour!!) Available direct and from some employers, too....

In our area, lawyers charge $175 an hour, so not sure this is a perk. The closest firm connected to them is 3 hours away.