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I guess I am on a roll with my legal situations when I was in the military…
When I was stationed in San Diego, California I bought my first car. Well, truck. It was a black Chevy S-10 4×4 Pickup with a Vortec V-6. It was a wonderful truck – lots of great memories 4 wheeling at the end of “The Strand”.
Of course, to get the truck, I had to get a loan. Since my unit was frequently out of town for extended periods of time I opened an account with the bank and set up my pay to be direct deposited. I then set up my loan to be automatically withdrawn from the bank. Sounds like a great deal.
Somewhere along the line the bank didn’t take out a payment and the truck was repossessed while I was not in town. The company smashed the driver side window to get in. I received no notice. I managed to scrape up enough money to pay the truck off, pay off the repossession company and get the window fixed.
About a year after I left the military I heard in the news that the bank was being brought up on charges of defrauding members of the military. Being young at the time and not able to afford an attorney I brushed the whole thing off as “one of those things”.
Since then I have learned that there are a lot of companies out there that prey on our military due to the fact that they are young, inexperienced and generally believe that businesses are our friends. The truth is, that while most won’t take advantage of our servicemen and women, there are those that do and you never know which is which until something happens.
If, at the time, I had a Pre-Paid Legal membership all I would have had to do would have been to call my attorney and probably would not have been out all of the money for the repossession and the broken window. I don’t think I could have gotten out of the truck payments though.
To learn what plans are available in your area visit my Pre-Paid Legal website.
I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
When I was in the military some 20 years ago I purchased an $800 Trek road bike. It was real sweet and worked great. I rode it everywhere.
One day while had my unit had to go on maneuvers a friend was on leave and wanted to borrow my bike. I hesitated before I said ok. When we got back my bike was no where to be seen. I asked my friend about it and he told me that he thought I had taken it. My bike was gone! Needless to say I was extremely upset.
Being young I chalked it up to one of those things and didn’t really think about obligations and legalities. If I had had a Pre-Paid Legal plan back then (it was available but the company was small and not known nationwide) I would have been able to talk to an attorney and they would have written a collection letter on my behalf to at least get this “friend” to make things right.
Anything like this ever happen to you?
With age comes wisdom I guess.
To learn what plans are available in your area visit my Pre-Paid Legal website.
I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
Here is a question for you…
Do you have a (soon to be) teenage driver in your household or perhaps do you drive like one?
I don’t drive like one – my girlfriend would kill me if I did. Not to mention it isn’t safe and could cause our insurance rates to skyrocket.
However, I do have a 15 year old son who will be learning to drive next year. Hopefully, he will maintain enough common sense when he is driving to avoid any kind of citations (and causing the insurance premiums to increase).
Fortunately, with a Pre-Paid Legal Family Membership, I will have a lot less to worry about. If anything happens, all he has to do is call our attorney for advice on what to do for his part and let the attorney handle it from there.
Now all I will worry about is him being involved in an auto accident and being hurt (or worse). But I guess that is what parents do.
To find out about what Pre-Paid Legal Services has to offer in your area go to my Pre-Paid Legal Family Plan website.
I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
It’s a funny thing how something can change over time.
Did you know that between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War the U.S. government was funded solely (100%) by tariffs on imported products?
Did you know that between the Civil War and World War II it was funded about 2/3 by tariffs?
Did you know that from World War II until very recently it received 1/3 of its funding by tariffs?
Today none of it’s revenues come from tariffs.
Tariffs are used to protect local worker’s jobs by placing a tax on imported goods to bring the price of those imported goods up to a comparable level with goods produced locally.
Interesting isn’t it?
On Labor Day 2007 the U.S. Department of Transportation granted Mexican trucking firms access to American highways. As far as I can see this opens a whole new can of worms for our legal system.
Read about our truck drivers concerns at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
I am concerned about this for many reasons. This is a ruling, not a law. What legal recourse do our drivers have when they start losing jobs? Start losing pay? What recourse does the average American have when a Mexican trucker is involved in an accident?
This falls into the “NAFTA” agreement. NAFTA was not agreed to by Congress – it was “fast-tracked”.
How will this affect the Independent Trucker or Small Trucking Business operating on low profit margins?
All I can say is check out Pre-Paid Legals Commercial Drivers Legal Plan or Small Business Plan.
If you want to know how all of this could affect you contact an attorney. I am going to do that tomorrow.
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I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
Let’s face it folks.
The United States has become a land of contracts. Contracts written not in lay terms but in legal speak. No longer is a man’s word his bond.
The United States has become a land of so many laws, codes, rules and directives noone can know them all. See the first few paragraphs of my “…And Justice For All” page for more information.
The United States has become a land of litigation instead of working things out. The odds are – according to the United States Bar Association – you are much more likely to find yourself in court than you are to wind up in a hospital. The U.S. has more attorneys than the rest of the world COMBINED. That’s five percent of the world’s population having more attorneys than the other 95%!
The wealthiest 10% of Americans can afford the best attorneys for whatever they need. International conglomerate corporations can afford the best attorneys for what ever they need.
The poorest 10% of Americans have access to public defenders but only for a limited scope of problems.
What about the 80% in the middle?
You may not think you need an attorney, but I am willing to bet you do. Here are some reasons why you do need an attorney:
- Do you need a will or need you will updated?
- Have paid a bill you knew was unfair?
- Have you been a defendant in a court case?
- Have you ever received a traffic violation you thought was unjustified?
- Have you ever signed a contract created by someone else without having it reviewed?
- Have you ever had a legal question?
- Do you have a spouse or partner?
- Do you have children?
I think one of the most important reason to have a prepaid legal plan is document and contract review. If you don’t know what you are getting in to it is a heck of a lot harder to get yourself out of it. If you have a document or contract reviewed you may find that the other party(ies) involved may have something written into it that is unneccessary and sometimes is illegal (believe it or not).
For example (this is used as a scare tactic):
Did you know that many contracts are starting to include a clase to the effect “by signing this contract you wave all rights to a trial by jury”? Excuse me? That is a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT. In any court case you CAN have a trial by jury. It is not always wise or needed and can be very expensive, but you do have that right.
Usually they also include a clause about arbitration. Which is a legal alternative to trial by jury.
Whether or not you get a Pre-Paid Legal Services plan or someone else’s you DO need access to an attorney.
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I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
On my page Identity Theft Hurts I give my personal introduction to ID Theft. It is amazing how sometimes the past can foreshadow the future.
In 2003 the US Department of Education issued a warning for college students and their families and launched a new web resource. These are definitely worth checking out as they provide good solid proactive ways to deal with preventing Identity Theft.
When I was earning my degree in computer engineering we learned the only secure system is one that is totally isolated. The same applies to Identity Theft. However, in todays’ world it is impossible to be totally isolated and still live your life. No matter how careful you may be Identity Thieves will eventually find a way to get enough information about you to steal your Identity.
There are ways to reduce your, and your families, risk of ID Theft. One of them I outlined in my post on other Identity Theft Protection Services Insurance compaines, credit cards, banks and other businesses that offer “Identity Theft Protection” are only looking out for you to the point that their bottom line is covered. What they DO NOT offer is a “Legal Shield” tp protect you and your family should anything happen.
Pre-Paid Legal Services Family Plan gives you Identity Theft Protection, a Legal Shield for emergencies and access to attorneys for any reason you may need, or want, to contact an attorney.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
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I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Recently talk show host Ed Shultz and his wife were on vacation when Ed was approached by a man and his wife. The man asked Ed a few questions including a question about the Iraq War. When Ed stated his position the man started verbally harassing Ed and the man’s wife started using foul language (the kind of language most parents don’t want their children to hear) on Ed’s wife. Ed got in the man’s face and told him to back off. The bouncers quickly intervened and Ed left the establishment. The Police were not involved and no charges were filed.
After Ed’s return home, his hometown paper called him to talk to him about it and he refused. The paper ran a story anyway, without doing any follow up or real investigating of the incident.
The question I put to you is where exactly does Freedom of Speech end? The above incident revolved around political ideology (liberal versus conservative). Is foul language and harassment (with the intent to cause trouble) protected by the First Amendment? What can be done in this situation? What ARE your rights?
With Prepaid Legal Services’ Family Plan all you have to do is call your attorney, explain the situation and they will inform you as to what your options are.
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I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
It came to my attention this past week that a company that markets its products/services through the Network Marketing business model has “fired” one of its top producers. This person was, according to what I heard, making over $1 million dollars per year and in the last ten years had not paid taxes.
This is not a good position to be in.
Aside from the tax law – do you know what laws and regulaitons apply to your business? What if you move to another state?
However, if you are in Network Marketing, a Pre-Paid Legal Small Business membership may be for you. Why? Because the provider attorneys can help you determine how to structure your business (as in sole proprietor, partnership, corporation or any of the variations of these). They will also help you to set it up.
You will also get access to professionals in the fields of accounting, sales, marketing, human resources, insurance, technology and investment. It is like having a BIG business without having big business expenses!
If you have any questions give me a call or drop me an email.
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I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
Well, actually, everything IS covered under your membership (varies by state). The thing is that some things fall outside of the monthly membership fee.
Pre-Paid Legal memberships were designed to cover most of the legal needs the average American (or Canadian) meets everyday while keeping it at an affordable rate.
Some things are inherently expensive and to provide coverage for these would make the membership much more expensive. However, as part of the membership, the provider law firms are contracted to provide legal access for these at a 25% discount.
The legal situations that fall into the 25% discount include:
- Divorces
- Child Custody
- Alcohol Related
- Drug Related
Remember that with the power given to you by the Constitution and ensured by your Pre-Paid Legal membership you can be proactive in any legal situation you encounter. Being proactive will either eliminate or greatly reduce the severity of any situation – not just legal.
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I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.
The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.
I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.
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