Is Prepaid legal a good idea for my situation ???

RATCHETMASTER · #1 02-28-2006, 10:55 PM

Has anyone used PREPAID legal service??? Positive or negative experiences??

Here is my situation.
My brother passed away last year. His “friend” took over the house my brother leased and would not let us get my brothers possessions. Included was all his store inventory from his music store and many religious artifacts. We are talking 50-75 thousand dollars worth of “stuff”.
The police would not get me in or kick him out. . . said it was a civil matter.

Also were 6 cars (most not running) and all the usual stuff like refrigerator, personal belongings, etc.

He also took over my brothers Ebay business (all passwords, email accounts, etc) computers, thousands of books (my brother also wrote a couple of books) that he used for research.

The landlady ALLOWED this to happen and would not kick him out. She also did not return the deposit and gave no explanation and will not answer letters I have sent her.

We also need to file a wrongful death suit because of the circumstances under which he died. IT is a difficult one as it is against a county.

All of this took place in California. I currently live in Utah and have lived here for many years. This makes it more difficult to take care of.

Money is an issue. So will prepaid legal be a good idea??????

Please give your opinions and advice.
My brother left me a will and expected me to take care of things for my mother and things are a BIG mess as you can see.

Thanks

**wheelhop** · #2 02-28-2006, 11:51 PM

My opinion is you get what you pay for, a pre-paid legal does not seem like the way to go. You should be able to find an attorney that would take this case and be paid only if there is a settlement.

**PeteLeathersac** · #3 03-01-2006, 01:06 AM

Yikes....and we think we've got troubles? .
First off, sorry for your loss. .
Second, I have a chum who tried the prepaid legal thing. . The result was a weak attempt at best so like wheelhop said, seek out a real Lawyer. .
Thirdly, possesion of the cars doesn't mean the 'friend' owns them especially if they're titled in your brother's name. . If of value monetarily or sentimentaly to you, get them outa' there! . Have any paperwork ready and in hand for the tow-truck operator if you can. . Call the cops to explain what's going to be happening before you go pick them up so a call by the 'friend' will do little to help him. .
Lastly, sounds like the 'friend' has been stinging the landlady? . Does her husband know yet....he may have some wisdom for you if he did or thought this was going on? . Also it's possible identity theft may have taken place with some of the other issues....may have changed from this now but possible in the beginning? . Do some homework before you put the hammer on the guy or he may cover his tracks if he knows you're onto him? .
Good luck! ~ Pete

agtw31 · #4 03-01-2006, 04:49 PM

prepaid legal is a joke.

**SamLBInj** · #5 03-01-2006, 05:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Money is an issue. So will prepaid legal be a good idea??????

Please give your opinions and advice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends, You want to win or just waste time?

agtw31 · #6 03-01-2006, 05:42 PM

did your brother have a will?
are you immediate next of kin?
do you have $5000?
that is exactly what a lawyer will ask you

RATCHETMASTER · #7 03-01-2006, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the info so far . . . sounds like prepaid legal is not the way to go.
Pete
the landlady and husband are in there 70s 0r 80s and both know what is going on. They live in San Jose about 3 hours from the house. She is being lied to by the so called friend. He was not a roommate. He supposidly moved in to Protect my brothers posessions . . . ya right. They were in a band together and he worked for my brother off the books.

The cars are not really a big deal as I got the one 58GMC short bed fleet side 4x4 out of there the first day. He kept the other car of value (only about $2200) and forged my brothers name on the title and transfered it into his name.
When the police came and would not let us in, I told them to give me the car in my brothers name and they asked him and he claimed to have the title but could not find it for them. So they would not give it to me. What a joke. What good were they???? NONE.

This is a mess . . .

Andy
the answers to the questions . . .
Yes, made out to me . . . a letter signed by him.
Yes
NO

That is the problem . . . no $5000 sitting around to use . . .

My mom, dad, and sister don't have it either (maybe dad, but he is against holding these people accountable . . . he says "let it go" and forget about it.

agtw31 · #8 03-01-2006, 11:05 PM

if your brother has a recorded will,and you're named executor of the estate,get a lawyer,get a court order and shove that court order up your brother's roommate's rectum.
call the cops if he gives you a hard time.he gets smart with the cops,they'll hook him and book him.

BBIGG BLOCK 396 · #9 03-02-2006, 03:46 AM

Most of the time when dealing with prepaid legal services you are dealing with Law students,and legal assistants! Not an attorney.Best to get a reputable attorney! may cost a little more in the long run but you would be better off in the long run.

Bobby

**69LM1** · #10 03-02-2006, 03:50 AM

Prepaid legal is a JOKE! My brother had them, and when he tried using them, it was this fee and that fee and finally they were useless. It is seems to good to be true........

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