Welcome to the We the People Settlement website.
(Defined terms used are as defined in the Settlement Agreement)
General Information:
What is this lawsuit all about?
This lawsuit concerns Dollar Financial Corp., Dollar Financial Group, Inc., We The People USA, Inc., We The People LLC,
Lawrence H. Golkin, Esq., Derek G. Thiele, Esq. and We The People Forms and Services Centers USA, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that
the Defendants are responsible for unfair, unlawful and fraudulent business practices in the We The People franchise system,
including various misrepresentations, omissions and unlawful acts, having to do with the provision of document preparation
services in California. Defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing and contend they acted in all ways lawfully under
California laws and regulations.
Am I a member of the Class?
If you purchased an Estate Planning Product from a We The People Store in California between September 19, 2003 and May 27, 2010, you are
a member of the Class. An Estate Planning Product for Settlement purposes includes only Living Trusts, Probates, Quit Claim Deeds,
Advanced Health Care Directives, and Power of Attorney forms. If you did not purchase these Estate Planning Products you are not a
Class Member and cannot participate in this Settlement.
Do I need to hire my own attorney?
No, the Arns Law Firm and Stebner and Associates, both of San Francisco, California are designated by the Superior Court as Class Counsel and
they represent the interests of the Plaintiffs and all of the Class Members. You will not be individually charged for their time, as their
fees will be paid out of the settlement as approved by the Court. However, if you wish to retain your own attorney, you may do so, but it is at your own cost.
SETTLEMENT BENEFITS / FILING A CLAIM / EXCLUSION / OBJECTION:
What are the benefits of the Settlement?
1. The Settlement provides that Class Members who purchased An Estate Planning Product from a We The People Store
in California between September 19, 2003 and March 6, 2005, will receive the "Guide To Reviewing Your Estate Planning Documents," (the "Guide")
authored by Matthew O' Donnell, Esq., a California State Bar certified estate planning lawyer. These Class Members also receive the opportunity
to have a one-time consultation with an attorney to determine whether the particular Estate Planning Product purchased is a suitable legal form for
their needs (e.g., will versus living trust).
2. Class Members who purchased An Estate Planning Product from a We The People Store in California between March 7, 2005
and May 27, 2010, will receive the "Guide To Reviewing Your Estate Planning Documents," (the "Guide") authored by Matthew O' Donnell, Esq., a
California State Bar certified estate planning lawyer. They will also receive their choice of either: (a) $30.00 regardless of the number or
type of product purchased from a We The People Store; or (b) the opportunity to have a one-time consultation with an attorney to determine
whether the particular legal form purchased is a suitable legal form for their needs (e.g., will versus living trust).
How Do I Get the Benefits of the Settlement?
To receive any of the Benefits of this Settlement, other than the Guide, which was mailed with the Class Notice, you must submit the Proof of Claim mailed
with the Notice and available on this website by clicking on the link Proof Of Claim, postmarked on or before August 16, 2010.
Please note: The Court's approval of the option of a consultation with an attorney as part of the Settlement does not constitute an endorsement by the
Court of any legal advice you may receive in that consultation. You are free to seek legal advice from other qualified sources including other attorneys
if you so choose, at your own expense. If you choose to have a one-time consultation with an attorney, after timely mailing in your claim form and after
Final Approval of the Settlement, you will receive a postcard containing information for setting up the appointment.
Where Do I Send My Claim Form?
To be timely, your completed Claim Form must be postmarked on or before August 16, 2010 and mailed to the following address:
Blau v. Dollar Financial Corporation, et al.
c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC
P.O. Box 8060
San Rafael, CA 94912-8060
I Don't Want To Be A Part Of This Class Action
If you don't want any of the listed benefits of this Settlement, then you don't have to accept or choose any of these options. You are free to do nothing.
How Do I Get Out Of The Settlement?
1. If you want to exclude yourself from this Settlement Class, you must send a written "Request for Exclusion" postmarked on or
before August 16, 2010 to the following address:
Blau v. Dollar Financial Corporation, et al.
c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC
P.O. Box 8090
San Rafael, CA 94912-8090
2. The Request for Exclusion must include your name and address, and must specifically state that you wish to be excluded from the plaintiff class in the
case entitled Blau v. Dollar Financial Corporation, et al., Case No. RG 07-347097, California Superior Court for the County of Alameda.
3. If you request to be excluded from the Class, you will not share in any recovery pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement; you will not be bound by
any judgment in the Action; and you are free to pursue any claims you may have by filing your own lawsuit.
How do I tell the Court if I don't like the Settlement?
You may object to the proposed Settlement or Fee Application in writing. You may also appear at the Final Approval and Fee Hearing, either in person or
through an attorney at your own expense, provided you notify the Superior Court of your intent to do so.
All written objections, supporting papers and/or notices of intent to appear at the Final Approval and Fee Hearing must meet the Court requirements such as
filing the objection by August 30, 2010. Please refer to the Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement available on this website by clicking on the link
Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement or by contacting the Claims Administrator.
If I Do Nothing At All, What Happens?
If you do nothing, you will release all rights to sue or be part of any other lawsuit against the Defendants which includes the legal claims released by
this Settlement. Additionally, you will not receive the other benefits offered by this Settlement unless you submit a timely claim form.
When Is The Final Approval And Fee Hearing?
The "Final Approval Hearing" to consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate to the members of the Class will be held before the
Honorable Robert Freedman in Department 20 of the Superior Court located at Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland, California on September 17, 2010
at 11:00 a.m.
The Superior Court will also hold a hearing (the "Fee Hearing") to determine whether or not to grant Class Counsel's application for an award of attorneys'
fees, expenses, and if appropriate, for an incentive award to each of the individually-named plaintiffs ("Fee Application"). This hearing will be at the
same place and date as the Settlement Hearing.
How Can I Get More Information About This Class Action Lawsuit?
This information is a summary of the Action and the basic terms of the Settlement; it does not fully describe either.
For the precise terms and conditions of the Settlement, you are referred to the detailed Settlement Agreement, which is on file with the Clerk of the Court.
The pleadings and other records in this litigation, including the Settlement Agreement, may be examined
(a) online at the Alameda County Superior Court website, known as "DomainWeb," at www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/domainweb, or
(b) in person, at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse, Room 109 at 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, California 94612, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays.
You may also call the Claims Administrator toll free at (866) 249-0190.