Throwback Local Legends: Robert with LegalShield – Making Legal Protection Affordable in Manhattan, Kansas

From Germany to Manhattan, Kansas

Robert’s story begins overseas. He and his wife were both soldiers stationed in Germany when they decided to get married. After their honeymoon, she received orders to Fort Riley, Kansas—and in the fall of 1992, Manhattan became their home.

More than 30 years later, Robert and his wife have raised four children (all proud to “bleed purple”) in the Little Apple. Like many others who arrive in Manhattan unsure about staying, Robert says he quickly fell in love with the community and built a life here.

What Is LegalShield?

LegalShield is a 51-year-old company specializing in prepaid legal services across the U.S. and Canada. The mission is simple yet powerful: to make access to the legal system easy and affordable.

For less than a dollar a day, members have access to a dedicated provider law firm in their state, available right from their phone. That includes services like:

• Estate planning – wills, living wills, and powers of attorney

• Document review

• Traffic assistance

• Trial defense for civil matters

• 24/7 emergency access to an attorney

In Kansas, LegalShield partners with Riling, Burkhead & Nitcher out of Lawrence—a third-generation law firm with over 120 years of combined experience.

One of the standout features Robert highlighted is that members literally have “a lawyer in their back pocket” with the LegalShield mobile app. Even if you’re traveling out of state, your dedicated law firm can connect you with LegalShield’s referral network to get the help you need.

And it’s not just for individuals and families—LegalShield also offers business plans, helping entrepreneurs and established companies with everything from starting an LLC to navigating complex legal matters.

Robert is passionate about the mission because he knows how high legal costs can be—often $300 to $600 per billable hour. With LegalShield, members pay around $30 a month for unlimited consultations, document preparation, and more.

He shared one memorable story about a client living in unsafe conditions due to severe black mold in a rental property. The landlord wasn’t taking action, and the family wanted out of the lease. LegalShield’s attorneys helped them navigate the process, resolve the situation, and move to a safe home.

“It’s about bringing fairness into situations that aren’t fair.“Without affordable access, many people simply wouldn’t be able to defend themselves or protect their rights.”

 

Rewatch the episode here: