What You Need to Know About Prepaid Legal Services?
September 11th, 2011 | Author: weissheiss
Hiring a lawyer can be an expensive prospect, especially when you are strapped for cash. However, you should not despair as there is another alternative. You can always opt for prepaid legal services. This service is quite similar to having a health insurance, but instead of getting coverage for health, you will be getting coverage for legal services.
Each month you would have to pay a fixed amount. This will entitle you to get certain legal services by making a call. Depending on what the prepaid legal service company offers, you can have access to simple things like writing a will or reviewing legal documents, or more complex legal issues like divorce or bankruptcy. Depending on the plan you have taken, the service might also file motions or represent you in court. However, if this is not part of the plan, then you will have to pay an addition sum for this type of service.
This service has been available in the US since the 1970s. Some states consider prepaid legal service to be a kind of insurance, and therefore, in those states, the service falls under the purview of the insurance commission.
Usually people who are unable to afford a lawyer turn towards prepaid legal service. The main benefit of opting for this type of service is the cost. This type of service is extremely economical when compared to hiring the services of a full-fledged lawyer.
The other benefit of using prepaid legal plans is the way the pricing is done. A lawyer invariably has a complicated way to decide his or her fees. He or she can charge you by the hour, flat rate or even a contingency fee. However, when you take a prepaid legal plan, you are paying a fixed amount on a monthly basis, and if you happen to require some service that is not covered by the plan, you will be notified immediately about the additional amount you would have to pay. Also, for the fee that you are paying, you are entitled to unlimited consultation via telephone.
However, with all the benefits, there are also some drawbacks to this type of service. For instance, you will not have a choice on the lawyer, and also the quality of the service may not be at par with an individual lawyer. Therefore, when selecting a prepaid legal plan, it is best to check out the services and only take those that you think you will require. Also, find out whether the company has a procedure to handle complains and how complains can be lodged. Above all, make sure you select a firm that is reliable and trustworthy.
Posted in Prepaid Legal Insurance | 
Tags: Bankruptcy, Benefit Plans, Insurance Commission, Lawyer, Motions, Prepaid Legal Services, Purview, Writing A Will