Introduction
What is a Legal Plan?
Very simply, a legal plan is similar in concept to that of a medical plan. However, instead of having access to doctors for free and discounted rates, a legal plan provides access to lawyers for free and discounted rates.
A legal plan lets a member talk to a lawyer whenever the member thinks he or she might have a problem, without fear of the cost. With the proper legal advice most problems can be avoided or quickly resolved. And if further services, such as representation in court is needed, a legal plan can help a member find the right lawyer, pay all or part of the legal bills or actually provide a lawyer to handle the case at no cost to the member.
By putting legal advice as near as the telephone, legal plans enable their members to prevent legal questions from becoming legal problems. Sixty-five to eighty-five percent of all problems brought to lawyers through plans can be resolved through nothing more than advice and a small amount of follow-up. In addition, having a lawyer readily available gives people peace of mind.
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Estate Planning & Living Trusts
Every plan member is entitled to comprehensive estate planning services and preparation of associated documents by a plan attorney. The attorney will review the scope and complexity of the member’s estate to determine the appropriate estate plan, and prepare documents as needed to implement the plan. The documents and services available for a comprehensive estate plan are:
Revocable Living Trust [Flat Fee $150]
A. ½ hour consultation with an attorney regarding appropriate estate planning methods and documents
B. Estate Plan Organizer
C. Durable Power of Attorney for Asset Management
D. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Management (Health Care Surrogate)
E. Advance Directives to Physicians (Living Will)
F. Pour-Over-Will
G. One Transfer Deed (No Additional Cost)
Trust Restatement
Review of an existing trust document by an attorney and, if necessary, a restatement of trust or complete replacement of existing estate planning documents. [Flat Fee $100]
Will Package
½ hour consultation and preparation of a simple will (individual) or reciprocal simple wills (married couple), financial powers of attorney (springing or immediate), health care powers of attorney and advanced directives to physicians (living will). [Flat Fee $100]
Complex Estate Planning
While the majority of our members can be more than adequately served by utilizing standard estate planning services, some members may require additional or more complex estate planning. Additional or more complex estate planning may consist of, but is not limited to: irrevocable life insurance trusts, generation skipping trusts, tax planning trusts, charitable giving/remainder trusts, and irrevocable trusts for vacation properties. [50% Discounted Fee]
Document Delivery and Execution
Convenient in-home document delivery and notarization. [Flat Fee $100]
Estate Planning – Extended Family Members
½ hour consultation and preparation of a simple will (individual) or reciprocal simple wills (married couple), financial powers of attorney (springing or immediate) and health care powers of attorney for the member(s) parents, in-laws, siblings, and children. [Flat Fee: Individual $75; Married $100]
All collateral or additional estate planning work on behalf of the above individuals. [50% Discounted Fee]
Estate Planning – Review and Revision
At any time following the initial consultation and document preparation, this service covers a revision, amendment or modification to any of the previously prepared living trust documents. [Covered Service]
Extended Family Members are also entitled to a revision, amendment or modification of their initial documents (excluding modification of testamentary trust/guardianship provisions). [$150 Plus Postage]
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Deeds & Title Search Costs
For estate planning purposes, your plan attorney may need to review and/ or prepare new real estate property deeds, deeds of trusts, or assignments of mortgage. The following are additional charges for these services:
A. Deed [$100 Each]
B. Assignment of Mortgage or Deed of Trust [$100 Each]
Title Search Costs: Upon request by the plan member, the plan attorney will assist the plan member in locating copies of ownership documents. [$30 Per Search]
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Annual Reviews
All matters concerning asset preservation and wealth transfer with your plan attorney are available on a yearly basis. [Flat Fee $50]
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Probate & Estate Administration
Small Estate/Unsupervised Probate: ½ hour consultation regarding the procedures involved in the preparation of documents for small estates/unsupervised probate. [Flat Fee $199]
Probate of Estate: When a member is deceased, a probate proceeding may be necessary. [50% Discounted Fee]
Estate Administration Services: [Covered Service]
This service provides estate settlement services at no additional cost to the executor, successor trustee, or representative. These services are:
i. Attorney phone consultation
ii. Assist in obtaining Estate Identification Number (EIN) for estate account to enable transfer and distribution.
iii. Real Estate
Assist in obtaining appraisals, agreements of sale, rents due, deeds, mortgages or promissory notes.
iv. Stocks, Bonds & Mutual Funds
Assist in obtaining balance and account status for eventual distribution.
v. Cash, Bank Deposits & Miscellaneous Personal Property
Assist in obtaining and organizing balances, distribution, and/ or transfer of bank accounts, CD’s, life insurance, retirement accounts, and annuities.
vi. Assist in obtaining the value of personal property, including automobiles.
vii. Convenient toll-free phone numbers.
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Consumer Protection Matters
Small Claims Court: ½ hour consultation regarding the preparation of initial pleading for bringing a small claims action, or a ½ hour consultation of pleadings for defense of a small claims court. [Covered Service]
Any additional work arising out of prosecution or defense of the small claims action. [50% Discounted Fee]
Purchase of Goods and Services: ½ hour consultation on issues relating to goods and services purchased or contemplated for purchase. [Covered Service]
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Document Review & Preparation
Document Review: Up to ½ hour of attorney time in reviewing documents and consultation on document issues. This is an unlimited service for personal matters, up to three (3) reviews on business matters per membership. [Flat Fee $75]
Affidavits: This service covers preparation of any affidavit in which the plan member is the person making the statement. [Flat Fee $100]
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Real Estate Matters
Home Equity Loans (Primary Residence): This service covers the review of a home equity loan on the plan member’s primary residence. [Flat Fee $75]
Refinancing of Home (Primary Residence): This service covers the review by an attorney of plan member’s relevant documents (including the mortgage and deed, and documents pertaining to title, insurance, recordation and taxation) involved in the refinancing of or in obtaining a home equity loan on a plan member’s primary residence. It does not include services provided by any attorney representing a lending institution or title company. The service does not include the refinancing of a second home, vacation property, rental property or property held for business or investment. [Flat Fee $75]
Real Estate Sale or Purchase of Home (Primary Residence): This service covers the review by an attorney representing the plan member, of all relevant documents (including the construction documents for a new home, the purchase agreement, mortgage and deed, and documents pertaining to title, insurance, recordation and taxation) involved in the purchase or sale of a plan member’s primary residence or of a vacant property to be used for building a primary residence. It does not include services provided by any attorney representing a lending institution or title company. The benefit does not include the sale or purchase of a second home, vacation property, rental property, property held for business or investment or leases with an option to buy. [Flat Fee $150]
Preparation of any documents required to transfer plan member’s homestead into or out of any trust(s) for purposes of estate or Medicaid planning. [Flat Fee $100]
Land-lord/Tenant: ½ hour consultation regarding a land-lord/tenant action or claim. [Covered Service]
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Personal Injury & Business
Personal Injury: Subject to applicable law and court rules, plan attorney will handle negotiation with insurance companies in personal injury matters where the plan member is the plaintiff. [10% Contingency Fee Discount]
Business: ½ hour consultation on any matter relating to business interest owned by plan member, or plan member’s spouse. [Covered Service]
Advisory services on legal matters arising from plan member’s interest in a corporate entity. Note: The corporation may or may not be granted reduced fee rates, solely at the discretion of the plan attorney. [40% Discounted Fee]
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