Pre-Paid Legal Plans

Pre-paid legal plans are generally offered in two models: "Access" and "comprehensive." While every plan differs in the specifics of what it covers, access plans usually cost much less and provide quick access to an attorney for advice and simple legal services. Access plans average about $150 per year for a family. If you sought an attorney's help on your own, hourly rates average anywhere from about $145 per hour up to $210, so if you use a lawyer just once a year with a pre-paid legal plan, you've probably saved yourself money. However, remember that some plans require a co-pay for services just as there is for doctor visits and prescription medications.

Comprehensive pre-paid legal plans provide a much broader range of services that require more time and effort on the part of attorneys, such as wills, trusts, deeds, or contracts. Comprehensive plans can provide for legal representation in negotiations and in court cases such as divorce or child custody, and in some cases may cover all costs involved in litigation. These plans can cost around $300 a year or more and are most beneficial to people who own more than one piece of real estate, have complicated family situations with wills and trusts, or who run their own business and need business support and advice.

In both cases, benefits often have caps or maximums, but comprehensive plans will usually have higher limits.

The benefits of pre-paid legal plans, easy access to an attorney, significant cost savings, and, in many cases, preventive services that can help with issues before they become a crisis.

Plans can vary in their offerings but most offer unlimited phone access to a lawyer as part of the plan. Some go as far as to offer unlimited office visits, depending on which plan you've paid for. Members are usually allowed to choose any attorney from the network, but sometimes you'll have to select an alternate due to case loads, .

In addition to a clear outline of what is and is not covered under the pre-paid legal plan, there are a few more things to consider when signing up for pre-paid legal services. The plan should have directions on how to resolve a dispute with or complaint against an attorney in the plan.

There should be information on secondary sources for resolution as well. In states that have legal insurance laws, the plans will be regulated by your state department of insurance. However, not all states have specific laws addressing legal insurance. In that case, each state's bar association can provide an outlet for complaints against attorneys.