Your Prepaid Legal Benefits

Transcription

1 Your Prepaid Legal Benefits

2 Are You In Need Of Legal Services? Here's how to take advantage of your Prepaid Legal Services Plan benefits: Contact the Prepaid Legal Services Plan Office at to verify your eligibility. Select a law firm or mediator from the Plan s list of participating providers. If you need mediator services, you and your spouse must sign a Mediator Request Form. The Plan Office will send you an Authorization Form to sign. Call the attorney or mediator listed on the Authorization Form to schedule a convenient appointment. Bring the Authorization Form or, for mediation, the Mediator Request Form, with you to your appointment.

3 The Boston Teachers Union The Decision Is In Legal Services Can Help You! Did you know that you have access to prepaid legal services? That s right the Prepaid Legal Services Plan makes it easy for you to find high quality legal counsel. The Board of Trustees of the Prepaid Legal Services Fund has selected a panel of attorneys so that you and your eligible dependents may receive legal help with a variety of services such as buying or selling a home, preparing a will, or drafting certain legal documents. Also, participating mediators can assist you in separation and divorce disputes. What Legal Services Are Offered? Attorneys who participate in the Prepaid Legal Services Plan (participating attorneys) can help you with a variety of legal services, such as: Consultations and drafting certain legal documents Assisting with your claims against your landlord Personal bankruptcy or debt arrangement Changing your name Juvenile delinquency Some probate matters Some criminal matters Certain tort and other civil matters where an eligible person is a defendant Plaintiff status to pursue specific benefits in covered matters Are You Eligible To Receive Prepaid Legal Services? You and your eligible dependents may take advantage of the Fund s legal services benefit if you are a "Covered Teacher" meaning you are employed or compensated as a member of the bargaining unit at the Boston School Department represented by the Boston Teachers Union, and contributions are required to be made on your behalf to the Boston Teachers Union Health and Welfare Fund. Contact the Fund Office if you have questions about your eligibility. Preparing a will and certain related services Certain real estate services

4 Prepaid Legal Services Fund Thinking About Buying Or Selling Your Home? The Prepaid Legal Services Plan can help you in several ways. If you re looking to buy a new home that will be your primary residence, you can contact a participating attorney to help with: advice on your purchase title examination preparation of the purchase agreement preparation of the deed reviewing of the documents at closing and representation at closing preparation of an escrow agreement. If you re interested in selling your home that is your primary residence, a participating attorney can help you with the preparation of: a sale agreement review of the closing documents representation at closing and advice on your sale. Interested In Refinancing? The Prepaid Legal Services Plan can also help you if you re interested in refinancing your principal residence. Having Problems With Your Landlord? If you have a disagreement with your landlord that may require legal counsel, you as the tenant are eligible for legal services from this Plan. Do You Have A Will? It s never too early to begin preparing your will. While considering who might care for your children or your estate isn t easy, a will can provide you with peace of mind. If you do have a will, is it up to date? The Prepaid Legal Services Plan also covers modifications to your existing will. Participating attorneys in the Prepaid Legal Services Plan can help you with preparing a simple will or a will with testamentary trust and some other matters, such as power of attorney, a health care proxy or a living trust.

5 Going Through A Separation Or Divorce? You may benefit from mediator services. A mediator is an impartial third party who can help you and your spouse if you are involved in a separation or divorce dispute. The Prepaid Legal Services Plan s participating mediators can help you achieve an equitable resolution on such matters as financial agreements and property distribution. It is the desired goal that a Memorandum of Agreement be reached and signed as a result of the mediation process. Need An Attorney For A Matter That Isn't Covered By The Plan? You may retain a participating attorney at your own expense to: handle other matters not covered by the Plan, if these matters are customarily charged on a contingent fee basis; or to pursue a covered benefit beyond the hourly limits permitted under the Plan How Many Hours Of Coverage Are Available? The personal legal and mediation services are provided in terms of the time involved, or in some cases, by the nature of the problem. You and your eligible family members may receive up to a maximum number of total hours of legal and mediation services during each Plan Year (September 1 August 31). Unused hours cannot be accumulated from year to year. Need Prepaid Legal Service Benefits? Contact the Plan Office at so that your eligibility for the Legal Services Plan benefit can be confirmed. Then you will need to select a law firm from a list of participating attorneys and sign an authorization form before you make your appointment. at less than the participating attorney s customary hourly rate. This document serves as an overview brochure for your Prepaid Legal Services Plan benefits. If there is any discrepancy between this document and the Plan of Benefits, the Plan of Benefits will govern. The Plan of Benefits is available at the Plan Office. Please call the Plan Office if you have any questions. The information in this brochure is accurate as of May 1, Benefits are subject to change by the Trustees.

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