Pre-paid legal service.

[BenDavis503]

Has anyone heard of this, have any experience with this and do you have any recommendations? It SOUNDS like a great deal. But I am not sure if it is a scam or what.

Anyone with any help or advice I would appreciate!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Has anyone heard of this, have any experience with this and do you have any recommendations? It SOUNDS like a great deal. But I am not sure if it is a scam or what.

Anyone with any help or advice I would appreciate!

It's been around for years. It's not a scam but it's not that great. Keep your money, it's not worth it and don't start selling it to people.

 

[BenDavis503]

It's been around for years. It's not a scam but it's not that great. Keep your money, it's not worth it and don't start selling it to people.

I don't want to sell it lol someone is trying to sell it to me. So you think I should not get it and try to retain a real lawyer?

 

[maxiep]

You might want to think about calling some of the larger firms in town (Stoel, Rives; Miller, Nash, etc.) and see if they'll do pro bono work for your son. If not, they may be able to guide you in the right direction.

 

[BenDavis503]

You might want to think about calling some of the larger firms in town (Stoel, Rives; Miller, Nash, etc.) and see if they'll do pro bono work for your son. If not, they may be able to guide you in the right direction.

I know I can google it... but what does Pro Bono mean?

 

[maxiep]

I know I can google it... but what does Pro Bono mean?

It's latin shorthand "for the public good", but it basically means that lawyers will take cases for free. Most larger firms will assign attorneys to do this kind of work. That being said, I'm no expert, I just happen to know a bunch of lawyers.

 

[BenDavis503]

It's latin shorthand "for the public good", but it basically means that lawyers will take cases for free. Most larger firms will assign attorneys to do this kind of work. That being said, I'm no expert, I just happen to know a bunch of lawyers.

Oh sweet! Maybe I can use the fact that his grandpa is local fame and maybe some lawyer will want to take the case! haha I will use his grandpas name all I can if it helps me out. Thanks for the great idea. I am going to contact those firms tomorrow.

 

[maxiep]

Oh sweet! Maybe I can use the fact that his grandpa is local fame and maybe some lawyer will want to take the case! haha I will use his grandpas name all I can if it helps me out. Thanks for the great idea. I am going to contact those firms tomorrow.

Like I said before, there are several attorneys on this board. I know economics, not the law. Trust them before you trust me.

 

[ABM]

I know I can google it... but what does Pro Bono mean?

It goes back quite a long way. At one time, Cher said, "I was for Sonny....before I was against him."

 

[BenDavis503]

So no one has ever used pre-paid legal service?

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

nope! sounds kind of scammy to me.

low end ambulance chasers and what not.

 

[BenDavis503]

nope! sounds kind of scammy to me.

low end ambulance chasers and what not.

Yeah I kind of feel the same way. It is too good to be true. Telling me all I have to do is pay 36 dollars a month, cancel anytime and they will help me do everything for 36 bucks.

yeah right lol when every other lawyer in town charges a large retainer fee. And these guys do it for 36 bucks?!

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

yeah, i haven't been following your other thread so closely and i don't know what its for, but i think pro bono is going to be a shot in the dark really. is it something that can be handled and investigated through the DA's office? alot of lawyers just write letters for you for this or that, a lot of stuff you can actually do yourself unless you are actually filing something.

 

[BenDavis503]

yeah, i haven't been following your other thread so closely and i don't know what its for, but i think pro bono is going to be a shot in the dark really. is it something that can be handled and investigated through the DA's office? alot of lawyers just write letters for you for this or that, a lot of stuff you can actually do yourself unless you are actually filing something.

Well I just need help filing the custody papers and child support correctly. The DA's office already has the case. The detectives sent in their reports and now it is in the DA's hands.

If you get bored, the other thread has VERY detailed info on what is going on lol I got bored here at the hospital at night and posted everything that is going on.

Basically, my sons mother or her boyfriend beat him up and he has been in ICU in and out for the last 3 weeks. She is already on probation for child neglect (left him in the car for 20 minutes alone, while it was running and she went shopping) and then this happened.

They are trying to blame the daycare, but DHS took all 4 of their kids away until this case is over.

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

have you looked at this:

http://www.osbar.org/public/legalinfo/family.html
Statewide Child Support Helpline

This service provides legal advice and assistance to low-income parents who have problems with child support cases handled through the Support Enforcement Division, a District Attorneys Office, or the Child Support Accounting Unit. Office hours vary.

(800) 383-1222

 

[BenDavis503]

have you looked at this:

http://www.osbar.org/public/legalinfo/family.html
Statewide Child Support Helpline

This service provides legal advice and assistance to low-income parents who have problems with child support cases handled through the Support Enforcement Division, a District Attorneys Office, or the Child Support Accounting Unit. Office hours vary.

(800) 383-1222

Did not see this. Thanks much!!!! I am going to call.

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

I'd still get a good (or decent) attorney who specializes in this kind of thing. A bad lawyer can be worse than none at all. but they can probably refer you or hook you up with something if there's a strong case against your ex.

 

[BenDavis503]

I'd still get a good (or decent) attorney who specializes in this kind of thing. A bad lawyer can be worse than none at all. but they can probably refer you or hook you up with something if there's a strong case against your ex.

This case is strong like Lance on a bike against her lol

She has a felony on her record for meth and she is already on probation for child neglect.

 

[Denny Crane]

yeah, i haven't been following your other thread so closely and i don't know what its for, but i think pro bono is going to be a shot in the dark really. is it something that can be handled and investigated through the DA's office? alot of lawyers just write letters for you for this or that, a lot of stuff you can actually do yourself unless you are actually filing something.

There's a fairly serious injury involved here and medical bills and pain and suffering.

Well I just need help filing the custody papers and child support correctly. The DA's office already has the case. The detectives sent in their reports and now it is in the DA's hands.

If you get bored, the other thread has VERY detailed info on what is going on lol I got bored here at the hospital at night and posted everything that is going on.

Basically, my sons mother or her boyfriend beat him up and he has been in ICU in and out for the last 3 weeks. She is already on probation for child neglect (left him in the car for 20 minutes alone, while it was running and she went shopping) and then this happened.

They are trying to blame the daycare, but DHS took all 4 of their kids away until this case is over.

My experience is you will be able to find a lawyer who'll take the case for ~33% of the take if they feel it's a strong enough case and there's money to be had to cover their expenses and then some. An injury attorney is what you're looking for.

And keep this in mind. OJ got off on the criminal case, but he lost $30M in a civil law suit to the Goldmans. Meaning, you might get a nice pound of flesh and some cash (if there's any to be had) by suing the guy, if you have proof he did it and can convince a jury.

 

[BenDavis503]

There's a fairly serious injury involved here and medical bills and pain and suffering.



My experience is you will be able to find a lawyer who'll take the case for ~33% of the take if they feel it's a strong enough case and there's money to be had to cover their expenses and then some. An injury attorney is what you're looking for.

And keep this in mind. OJ got off on the criminal case, but he lost $30M in a civil law suit to the Goldmans. Meaning, you might get a nice pound of flesh and some cash (if there's any to be had) by suing the guy, if you have proof he did it and can convince a jury.

Nice idea. I can sue if he is convicted.

 

[Denny Crane]

Nice idea. I can sue if he is convicted.

Or not convicted.

The burden of proof in a civil jury trial is far less than for a criminal one. The jury will likely be sympathetic to an injured child.

I'm not a lawyer, this isn't strictly legal advise, just experience.

 

[Ed O]

Nice idea. I can sue if he is convicted.

Is he going to have anything to collect if he gets convicted? Hopefully the guy will go to prison if he is guilty... garnishing prison wages doesn't go very far, and it might cost you more to sue him than you'd ever collect.

You're more likely to have a fruitful civil suit if he's NOT convicted...

Good luck with everything.

Ed O.

 

[Denny Crane]

Is he going to have anything to collect if he gets convicted? Hopefully the guy will go to prison if he is guilty... garnishing prison wages doesn't go very far, and it might cost you more to sue him than you'd ever collect.

You're more likely to have a fruitful civil suit if he's NOT convicted...

Good luck with everything.

Ed O.

There won't be wages to garnish, but any assets (like home/equity/stocks/bonds) can be taken.

The lawyers won't do it pro bono or for a cut if there's nothing to be had.

 

[BenDavis503]

There won't be wages to garnish, but any assets (like home/equity/stocks/bonds) can be taken.

The lawyers won't do it pro bono or for a cut if there's nothing to be had.

He does have two cars paid for...

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Suing a drug using convicted child abuser is not going to be a high demand case for personal injury attorneys. Maybe if they could get insurance to attach (assuming she had home insurance). The boyfriend doesn't sound like a much better option . . . I can't see a quality PI attorney taking this case forward on hopes of being paid through garnished wages or standing in line in bankruptcy court.

If you can get an good civil attorney to take the case, that's great. But I would continue to work closely with law enforcement. Also, many counties have victim's advocates who can help explain different programs for victims including the Victim Assistance Fund (help reimburse costs) and Victim Rights Bill.

With the family matters, you might look into some legal clinics (ie St Andrews) . . . I would think this would be a case they would handle given the circumstances.

My thoughts are with your boy . . . stay strong.

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

There's a fairly serious injury involved here and medical bills and pain and suffering.

sure, for that. but not everything requires lawyers (i.e. simple forms). why pay someone $300 an hour to do that when you can get assistance from doing it yourself. lawyers love billing every email, call, letter, etc.

 

[Denny Crane]

sure, for that. but not everything requires lawyers (i.e. simple forms). why pay someone $300 an hour to do that when you can get assistance from doing it yourself. lawyers love billing every email, call, letter, etc.

I would assume this isn't a small claims case where you can do it yourself.

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

I would assume this isn't a small claims case where you can do it yourself.

there seems to be several different aspects to his case.

there is a lawsuit for medical bills for the injury sustained..depending on the amounts, it may be relevant in small claims, he'd probably win a default judgment because the other party won't show...that's capped off at what, $5-6k....depends really. I guess you can sue for damages but those will be hard to get, especially if they do not have money or assets.

then there's the child custody.

but he said:

Well I just need help filing the custody papers and child support correctly.

some of that, non-lawyers can really help you without you dishing out a few grand in legals fees (such as a service like that 800 number).

it all depends on what legal services he really needs. i'm fairly confident he doesn't want to spend the next 8 months to a year in courts and spending thousands of dollars, which is what it looks like.

 

[BenDavis503]

Suing a drug using convicted child abuser is not going to be a high demand case for personal injury attorneys. Maybe if they could get insurance to attach (assuming she had home insurance). The boyfriend doesn't sound like a much better option . . . I can't see a quality PI attorney taking this case forward on hopes of being paid through garnished wages or standing in line in bankruptcy court.

If you can get an good civil attorney to take the case, that's great. But I would continue to work closely with law enforcement. Also, many counties have victim's advocates who can help explain different programs for victims including the Victim Assistance Fund (help reimburse costs) and Victim Rights Bill.

With the family matters, you might look into some legal clinics (ie St Andrews) . . . I would think this would be a case they would handle given the circumstances.

My thoughts are with your boy . . . stay strong.

Thank you sir.