Prepaid legal services are an increasingly popular way to gain access to personal legal advice. Through this kind of arrangement, you can access a variety of law-related services such as contract review, estate planning, and more without the need for a long-term commitment or hefty fees. Read on to learn about what prepaid legal services offer and how they can be beneficial for families and businesses.
Prepaid legal services are similar to insurance, you pay a monthly fee just in case you run into a legal issue. You pay a monthly fee for this service and you get access to a prepaid legal attorney that can speak with you when you need legal assistance. While they may not be able to handle complex litigation matters for you, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case you run into a legal issue and need a quick answer.
What Are Prepaid Legal Services?
Prepaid legal services are an alternative way to gain access to qualified attorneys and other legal professionals without having to incur expensive upfront costs or sign a lengthy contract. Rather than paying one-time fees for individual services, prepaid legal services involve paying a subscription fee that ensures access to a variety of different types of legal assistance. This means that you get the benefit of having an attorney on call whenever you need help with any kind of legal issue.
Prepaid legal services are ideal for those who find themselves in need of legal help but don’t have the funds to pay individual fees each time they need help. It is also suited to individuals who may not have an attorney they can turn to, such as recent immigrants or those living in rural areas without access to a variety of attorneys. Prepaid legal services can even be beneficial for small-business owners who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of a legal team at their disposal.
Pros and Cons of Prepaid Legal Plan
Before deciding to invest in a prepaid legal plan, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons. On one hand, prepaid legal plans help you to access high-quality legal advice with flexibility, as no long-term contracts are involved and most have rolling monthly subscriptions. On the other hand, the limited scope of the services offered by most plans means that some issues may not be fully covered and you could end up paying for additional legal fees.
Prepaid legal plans typically offer access to a network of lawyers who specialize in various areas of law, including family law, employment law, criminal defense, and bankruptcy. Some will also provide free consultations with a licensed attorney and access to online resources such as legal articles and forms. Prepaid plans may be especially useful for those who only require occasional legal advice or services or do not have the money for a long-term contract. However, it is important to bear in mind that most plans are limited to certain situations, so it is recommended to read up on the specific features of a plan before signing up.
What Kinds of Cases Are Covered?
Prepaid legal plans typically cover a wide range of services, including advice on criminal, civil, and family law cases. They may also provide assistance with writing contracts and wills, as well as doing background checks and helping to file for bankruptcies. However, most prepaid legal plans do not cover complicated or multi-jurisdictional matters that require specialized expertise or technical knowledge.
For example, prepaid legal plans may not cover litigation for patent or other intellectual property disputes, large commercial transactions, or criminal laws involving fraud. Plans typically reserve the right to refuse any cases that require lengthy representation or a high level of specialization (such as tax advice) and may choose to refer these cases to a partner firm at an additional cost. As such, it’s important to read through the plan documents carefully to understand what is covered and what isn’t before signing up for a plan.
What Does a Typical Contract Include?
Most prepaid legal services contracts will include access to an attorney’s office as well as guidance on a wide variety of legal matters. It may vary from one plan to another, but generally speaking, most contracts will include access to documents such as leases, standard contracts, applications, and deeds; advice on civil and criminal matters; help with family law issues such as adoption or divorce; the ability to file for bankruptcy protection; review of documents for accuracy and completeness; document preparation services including wills, deeds, trusts, and prenuptial agreements.
Other services may also be included such as writing wills and other legal documents, setting up or updating legal agreements, tax advice regarding small businesses, reviewing or drafting contracts for real estate transactions, and protection from debt collectors. The contract should also include details about the number of times you can access an attorney as well as any associated fees and discounts you may qualify for. Make sure to go over the fine print carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered in your plan.
How Can I Choose the Right Plan?
When selecting a prepaid legal service, it’s important to consider your situation and needs. Think about the type of legal services you are likely to use most and make sure these are covered in the plan. Do your research; compare different plans for price and coverage. Make sure you understand what is included and what is excluded from each plan before signing up. Talk to people who have used these services in the past and get their feedback on the benefits as well as any complaints of poor service they might have. Choosing the right plan can make all the difference when it comes to protecting yourself, your family or your business with prepaid legal services.
Another factor to consider is your budget. There are several different plans available that vary in price depending on the services offered and the number of visits allowed. Take time to shop around and find the most cost-effective plan that covers your needs. Read through the plan’s fine print so you understand what is covered, any restrictions, and the terms and conditions. Also, look for any additional benefits such as access to legal advice or referrals. Prepaid legal services plans are a great way to stay protected from unexpected legal issues, but it’s important to choose a plan that fits your individual needs and b
Prepaid Legal Attorney
You may be wondering if paying a monthly fee for prepaid legal services gives you access to real attorneys and not just paralegals or legal assistants. The attorneys you speak with through your policy are licensed prepaid legal attorneys that will be able to assist you with your legal issue. Many law firms become prepaid legal attorneys as a side gig to provide additional income. These attorneys are experienced and are able to help with various types of legal situations.
Prepaid Legal Plans
Each company has different levels of prepaid legal plans to fit the different needs of its clients. For example, if you only need the occasional legal document drafted, you will probably do fine with one of the lower-tiered prepaid legal plans. However, if you own a business and need multiple documents on a regular basis, then you may want to choose a more robust prepaid legal plan to cover your needs.
Are Prepaid Legal Plans Cheaper than Attorneys?
This is the tough question and the answer is that it depends. It would be hard to replace the work of a full-time attorney on your side with a prepaid legal plan, but you have to ask yourself exactly how much legal assistance do you need. If you only need the occasional document or to have a question answered, then you may want to speak with an attorney. However, you can probably benefit from prepaid legal services if you need to speak with an attorney often and do not want to worry about being charged by the hour. Most attorneys charge upwards of $200/hour and you can get a prepaid legal plan for around $30/month for many plans.
In Conclusion:
Prepaid legal plans for individuals through a reputable company could be a game-changer if you need routine advice from an attorney and don’t want to pay a high hourly fee. While they may not be able to give you advice on a complex litigious matter, most prepaid legal insurance companies do a great job at answering your questions. They can also refer you out to a network attorney should your legal situation require the assistance of an attorney in your location.