April 28, 2005

• An Attorney is a Good Thing to Have

  
  

  So my court appearance was scheduled for today.  The attorney was there and did his best to keep me from hyperventilating during the procedure - was marginally successful at that.  The offenses my tickets were written for carry a mandatory fine - so $185, no ifs ands or buts about it.  BUT, the attorney told them this sob story that made me sound really - pathetic.  It's a good thing I don't care about my pride .... hmmmmmmmm.  They gave me a 30 day extension to pay so I didn't have to write a check on the spot.  AND this is the best part - he negotiated it to be that I pled guilty to having an obstructed windshield instead of speeding so there are ZERO points going on my record.  ~happy dance~

  
  

  And the best part?  The attorney fees are included in my PrePaid Legal membership so I didn't have to fork over bucks to him for representing me.  Is that cool or what?  I'm telling you, that's the best $17 I ever spent. 

  
  

  Next month, I'm having them do my Will - and a Living Will, and I think I'll be asking their advice on my phone contract because I'm not sure that I should sign this Verizon deal without my attorney's review ... and you know what?  I kind of LIKE spending time with the attorney, so I think I'll ask him some general questions about the situation that the people in the book I'm writing are dealing with because you know - I want to write authentically. 

  
  

  Seriously, for all the time that they spend answering my questions, I pay $17 a month.  And this is more fun than dinner and a movie by far. 

  
  

  You may or may not be interested in having this benefit.  But if you want your own attorney?  From most places in the US or Canada - you can sign up for a membership at the site I created this morning.  If you're in Manitoba, Wisconsin, Arkansas, or Virginia ... you need to find someone who is licensed in your province/state to help you and if you'll email me, I'll look that information up for you. 

  
  

  Otherwise - go here and click on "Enroll Now" at the bottom of the screen. 

  
  

  The basic membership for one person is $17 a month.  For a family I think it's $26.  And the best rider I have ever seen on any insurance policy is the Identity Theft Shield they offer through Krohl and Associates.  That's $9.95 if you add it to a membership or $12.95 if you only want the identity theft protection.  They don't just monitor your credit DAILY, they check with you everytime someone runs your credit and if you didn't authorize it?  They go after 'em.  If someone steals your license, credit cards, whatever ... Krohl goes after 'em. 

  
  

  Most monitoring services do just that, they monitor.  If there's a problem they tell you "Hey, Buddy - I hope you had a good day because your identity was stolen a couple hours (or days or weeks depending on how often they monitor) ago and it's gonna be hell for the next 18 months to 3 years.  Good luck and I hope it all gets straightened out."

  
  

  I've been very glib about taking advantage of the attorney firm that represents the PrePaid Legal Members of Colorado, but the fact of the matter is that there is no way I could afford the services they have provided to me if I had to pay their hourly rate.  But this way?  When I have a problem of ANY kind, I'm in the same position as the wealthiest person in town with a team of attorneys on retainer.  I make a call to my lawyer(s) and say, "Go get 'em, Tiger!"  I've been on the side of things where I felt powerless and shut out of the justice system because my blood wasn't quite green enough.  I don't feel that way now. 

  
  

   

  • 5:26 pm
  • 14 Comments