Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. was a company that provided legal service plans to individuals, families, and small businesses. The company was founded in 1972 by Harland Stonecipher and was one of the pioneers in offering legal insurance or prepaid legal plans. The company’s primary aim was to make legal services more accessible and affordable to a broader range of people.
Here’s how Prepaid Legal Services typically worked:
- Membership: Individuals or groups would pay a monthly or annual membership fee to become members of Prepaid Legal Services.
- Legal Services: Once a person was a member, they could access a range of legal services provided by a network of attorneys. These services could include legal consultations, document reviews, phone calls, and assistance with various legal matters.
- Network of Attorneys: Prepaid Legal Services had a network of attorneys who were part of the program. Members could choose an attorney from this network to assist them with their legal needs.
- Coverage Areas: The company’s plans typically covered a variety of legal areas, including family law, estate planning, consumer protection, real estate, and more.
- Limitations and Exclusions: Like other prepaid legal plans, there were often limitations on the scope and complexity of legal matters covered by the plan.
- Educational Resources: Prepaid Legal Services also aimed to educate its members about legal matters through seminars, workshops, and informational materials.
It’s worth noting that Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. underwent changes over the years. In 2011, the company rebranded as LegalShield, focusing on providing legal services to its members. LegalShield continued to offer legal service plans with a similar structure to prepaid legal plans.
The idea behind prepaid legal plans, whether through Prepaid Legal Services or similar companies, is to provide individuals and families with affordable access to legal assistance and representation. However, as with any financial service, it’s important to thoroughly research and understand the terms, coverage, and limitations of any prepaid legal plan before becoming a member.