This message goes out to any of you Pre-Paid Legal associates who feel trapped because of massive charge-back balances: THEY CANNOT MAKE YOU STAY, AND WON'T MAKE YOU PAY IF YOU LEAVE!

I have read some heartbreaking stories about associates who feel bankruptcy is the only way out of this nightmare. If anyone out there is feeling that way, YOU CAN WALK AWAY. Here is the last paragraph on p. 26 of PPD's 2008 10-K:

"We have the contractual right to require associates to repay unearned advance commission balances from sources other than earned commissions including cash (a) from all associates either (i) upon termination of the associate relationship, which includes but is not limited to when an associate becomes non‐vested or (ii) when it is ascertained that earned commissions are insufficient to repay the unearned advance commission payments and (b) upon demand, from agencies or associates who are parties to the associate agreements signed between October 1989 and July 1992 or July 1992 to August 1998, respectively. The sources, other than earned commissions, that may be available to recover associate unearned advance commission balances are potentially subject to limitation based on applicable state laws relating to creditors’ rights generally. HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE NOT DEMANDED REPAYMENTS OF THE UNEARNED ADVANCE COMMISSION BALANCES FROM ASSOCIATES, INCLUDING TERMINATED ASSOCIATES, BECAUSE COLLECTION EFFORTS WOULD LIKELY INCREASE COSTS AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DISRUPT OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR SALES ASSOCIATES. THIS BUSINESS DECISION BY US HAS A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON OUR CASH FLOW BY ELECTING TO DEFER COLLECTION OF ADVANCE PAYMENTS OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY $44.5 MILLION WERE NOT EXPECTED TO BE COLLECTED FROM FUTURE COMMISSIONS AT DECEMBER 31, 2008."

[To emphasize the final two sentences, I reformatted them to all-caps.]

They are saying that even though they have the contractual right to make you repay the advances, many associates leave without paying them back. The company does NOT force them, and even maintains estimates for unrecoverable advance commissions. They expect you to walk away.

Other associates figure out it is a trap and walk away, so you can too.

You don't have to declare bankruptcy, and you don't have to remain a slave. They are telling you that you can JUST WALK AWAY.

I sincerely hope that helps someone out there.