Client Testimonials

She lived in fear.

Laurie peered out her window from behind the curtain for the - what was it, the tenth time today? The twentieth? She had lost count hours ago.

Her world began to spin out of control with the ringing of a telephone. It was one of Laurie's closest friends, who had called to tell her that the children would not be coming on Monday the morning. Haltingly, her friend explained the reason; Laurie was under investigation for child abuse!

It had been reported to a school counselor that Laurie was abusing children at her home daycare, and the counselor had in turn notified the Department of Human Services. A hammer began to pound in Laurie's head as she listened, her heart thumping heavily against her chest.

Even more shocking was that the report had been made by the son of her friend, for whom Laurie had cared since he was a toddler. This simply could not be happening! Why would he say such a thing?

Her friend went on to warn her that the DHS may be sending case workers to investigate. When she finally hung up the receiver, Laurie's world had been changed forever. The future looked deathly pale and bleak. No answers came to mind - only a choking, overwhelming flood of terrifying questions. "The first thing I did," reflects Laurie today, "was call my Provider Law Firm."

Distressingly, it was almost 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of a holiday weekend when she called, leaving precious little hope that an attorney would be available before the following week.

Laurie was incredulous when the Administrating Attorney from the firm, Jim Hunt, called her back after normal business hours the same afternoon. "I didn't want you to have to go the entire weekend without talking to someone about this," explained Attorney Hunt as he proceeded to help Laurie explore her legal options and provide advice about what she should do over the weekend.

Whatever the law might say about being "innocent until proven guilty," Laurie knew it wasn't true of public opinion when one was accused of child abuse. In many minds, an accusation of child abuse is tantamount to guilt - especially when the accused is one entrusted to care for the children of others.

Bad enough that this affair virtually eliminated her primary source of income; the DHS was viewing Laurie as an abusive parent, as well. Each time a car door slammed outside, Laurie's heart raced with panic, knowing it could mean the arrival of government agents, come to snatch her baby boy from his mother's arms.

They had stolen her life, these strangers who threatened to take her son.

Odd that the words she wrapped around herself like a blanket at night came from the PPL lawyer assigned to her case, Marianna Fenton, rather than a close friend or relative. When Laurie told the attorney she couldn't sleep at night for worrying, Marianna replied,

The state investigation lasted 3 grueling months, as Marianna battled for Laurie's rights. Meetings with the investigator were held in the attorney's office, where she soundly rebuked him each time he attempted to stray beyond appropriate legal limitations in his questioning.

Finally, on February 9, 2007, Laurie's phone rang again. This time, it was Marianna calling to break the news that she had been cleared of all charges. The triumph in Marianna's voice matched that in Laurie's heart, and she realized that her encounter with Pre-Paid Legal Services had introduced her to a new level of enthusiasm, skill, concern, respect and compassion. More than just a legal service, it was something she could believe in.

"You have given me back my life!" Laurie cried. "You had it all along," answered Marianna, "I just held your hand until you knew it."

What a difference you have made, PPL Associate! By selling a Membership and recruiting an Associate to your team, you have helped to save a family, restore a life, and vindicate an innocent woman.

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You're the best. Thank you for the genuine effort to understand our business, along with the kindness and patience you afforded my coworkers and me.

Sincerely,

Brenda

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Two attorneys at our firm, John McCallum and Richard van Antwerp have been recognized by Best Lawyers in their Best Lawyers in America publication. Click on each attorney's name below to review their respective accolades.

• John McCallum

• Richard van Antwerp