# Question about Prepaid Legal Services

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-prepaid-legal-services/314195>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 26, 2005, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-prepaid-legal-services/314195 "2005-07-26T11:35:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-prepaid-legal-services/314195/1 "2005-07-26T11:35:45Z")

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I encountered this organization, which advertises that it provides discounted legal services to its clients–kind of a legal-services version of the Auto Club.  
A member of the Toastmasters group I am in, drove me to a meeting of theirs near LAX; apparently they’re having a membership drive. I didn’t know what it was about until I got there.  
They had appeared at a couple of job fairs I attended. The tone of their meetings, however, resembles the most frenetic elements of diverse pyramid schemes–at least that was my impression.  
I am not thrilled by their promises of high income; so I am asking if perhaps any of the Teeming Millionis have encountered PPLS themselves and know what I would be getting myself involved with.

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**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-prepaid-legal-services/314195/2 "2005-07-26T12:28:18Z")

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In my jurisdiction, it covers basic advice, which a person can usually get for free anyway without such a program; initial inquiry or demand letters, which usually a person can not get for free but usually do not cost much; wills and POAs which a person would not otherwise get but usually do not cost much; and a significant discount off of retained services, which a person would not otherwise get (this last one is worth looking at, depending on your lifestyle, circumstances, and insurances).

From the client’s side, it simplifies shopping for a lawyer, and offers a discount if you end up in something serious.

From the lawyer’s side, it brings in potential clients.

Personally, I have not signed up for it, for I have no particular urge to significantly cut my already reasonable fees on major cases, and I don’t begrudge giving out a bit of free advice or the occasional letter to folks who need only a bit of help.