Affordable Legal Service
It is well known that within America, most of the wealth is owned by a small percentage at the top. The sad thing about this is that not only does wealth relate to spending abilities and big houses. It translates itself into other issues, such as the ability to afford equal access to basic human services. Among these services are health and dental insurance. The poor are unable to afford health and dental insurance while the wealthy has immediate access. The solution to this problem is health and dental insurance. These two services work under a simple principle of temporal need. The fact of the matter is, even though everyone needs these services, we don’t all need them at the same time. What this means is that it becomes possible to pool our resources (money), and apply them to a select group when it becomes necessary.
This brilliant idea of leverage works very well when applied to health and dental insurance. Now, the question is how else can we leverage this idea? Many people are aware of life insurance, health insurance, but how many know of legal insurance? Unfortunately not many, and therefore many people go without legal counsel because they believe it to be unaffordable. Fortunately this is not true, and everyone has access to legal counsel, making the promises of equal justice possible.
A legal service plan can provide access to legal counsel, when it is needed at a very affordable price. You may be shocked to know how well the idea of temporal need works. It becomes apparent that top-notch legal counsel is affordable to everyone, enabling us to say as the big wigs do “I will consult my lawyer on this issue.” Another question arises, how often do people need legal advice and why would they even consider pre paying for such service? Well, here is a list of cases in which legal aid would be a great help:
- Identify theft
- IRS audit
- Dealing with speeding tickets
- Adopting a child
- Signing a contract
- Dog is poisoned
- Get charged a hidden fee on a bill
- Incorrect listings on credit report
We live in a litigious country and the list goes on and on. Legal service plans have been around for a long time and are widely available and used in Europe. Pretty soon they will be just as popular in America. I personally love the comfort of knowing I have a lawyer backing me, so I signed up for a legal service plan the minute I heard about it.
Guide to Choosing Illinois Auto Insurance Coverage
In today’s litigious society, it is often a good idea to carry more auto
insurance than the minimums the law mandates. Almost every state requires some
sort of minimum coverage to be held by motor vehicle owners. Sadly, in many
cases, these standards barely provide enough to cover minor injuries and damage,
let alone major medical expenses or vehicle repairs. Therefore, if you are more
than just the occasional driver, and you can afford it, it is probably in your
best interest to go with the industry recommended coverage amounts. Not only
will they provide better coverage, but they will also offer peace of mind.
In the state of Illinois, minimum coverage amounts are only 20/40/15. This means
a driver is covered up to $20,000 for bodily injury, $40,000 for physical
damage, and $15,000 for liability, as compared to 100/300/100 as recommended by
industry standards and consumer groups. If you’ve ever gone to the hospital for
any type of operation or even just a check-up, you know how quickly the bills
can add up, and even minor repair costs on luxury automobiles can be higher than
the state minimums.
Illinois law also requires that uninsured or underinsured coverage be included
in a policy in the event a driver is involved in an accident with someone not
carrying the required policy minimums. The policyholder has the right to reject
this coverage, but it often costs very little and carrying at least the minimum
is a good idea. There is also the option of comprehensive and collision
coverage. Depending on the vehicle or vehicles being driven, these options
should also be considered. They cover such things as hail, blown tire, and fixed
object damage, such a backing into a light pole, etc. A five-hundred dollar used
car probably won’t warrant these extras, but with more expensive vehicles, where
repair costs can accumulate quickly, they are highly recommended. When your car
has its windshield smashed by vandals or you back into that concrete post,
you’ll be glad you have them.
When looking for Illinois auto insurance, not only policy affordability and legal
requirements should be considered, but also how often, when, and where the
policyholder will be driving, as well as if any other drivers will be operating
the vehicle. These factors, as well as finding a trusted and reliable insurance
agent should be weighed when deciding the types and amounts of vehicle coverage
needed.
Auto Coverage Questions That You Should Ask Before Buying a Policy
Buying car insurance can be quite a formidable task; you want to get adequate coverage and protection at a rate that is cheap and affordable. Whether you are a novice or an experienced car owner, here are some auto coverage questions and tips that you should consider before you purchase an insurance policy.
To being with, you need to ask what the legal insurance requirements are in your particular jurisdiction. This acts as minimum requirement that you must meet and it can be starting point from which you can determine how much additional coverage you will need.
The amount of additional coverage you need depends on the answers you give to two main questions. First off, what is your current financial situation?
Your finances are relevant as experts advice says that the more assets you have, the more insurance coverage you will need to ensure that they are sufficiently protected.
The next question is what kind of driver are you? Your driving record will provide you with a good answer to this question. Firstly, your driving record and habits on the road are a good indication of the kind of driver you are and the likelihood you have you being involved in accidents. For example a careless driver with a history of running into other cars will benefit from more extensive coverage. Secondly, your driving record will help determine if you qualify for any special discounts that insurance companies offer to drivers with good safety records.
The next question would be, how much are you currently paying for insurance? Check your existing policy to see how much you are paying on a monthly and yearly basis. This can be benchmark which you can use to assess quotes from other insurers. You can approach the insurance companies directly or go online. There are multiple websites that offer listings of insurance quotations that are tailored to your specific requirements.
Lastly, ask yourself if you are dealing with a reputable organisation. Review the credentials of your insurance agency before signing on the dotted line. You can investigate their history and practices with your local regulatory body. There are also online resources that can provide you with information and analysis of insurers.
These auto coverage questions and insurance tips should go a long way towards helping you pick the policy that is right for you. Asking these questions and giving due consideration to the answers will ensure that the choices you make are informed and educated.
How to Save Money Handling Your Own Legal Matter
“Sixty percent of bankruptcies and seventy-five percent of divorces in California are done without lawyers,” according to Do It Yourself Documents, a self-help legal book and kit retailer. With the availability of so many quality self-help legal resources today, it has never been easier to handle your own legal matter. I will tell you what self-help resources are available and how to use them.
Although the information I am about to give you is based on research and experience, always remember that only a lawyer is qualified to give you sound legal advice. I am not a lawyer, but I have worked extensively in this field. Use any of the products and services I mention here at your own risk.
You have several choices when trying to handle a legal matter without a lawyer. You can do the matter entirely on your own with a self-help book or kit; you can handle the matter with aid from an independent paralegal or legal assistance program; you can handle the matter through a program such as Pre-Paid Legal Services.
SELF-HELP BOOKS AND KITS
The market is saturated with self-help legal books and kits. Which ones can you trust? HALT, an organization of Americans for legal reform, has reviewed many popular self-help guides. On their website, you can find their “Do It Yourself” section, which has helpful product reviews. In general, I will save you time and tell you HALT repeatedly recommends products from Nolo Press. All of Nolo’s books and software are created by lawyers and are updated constantly. I also recommend products from Alpha Publications. I do not recommend products from Info America or similar publishers.
Kits and books you want to stay away from are those that are not updated frequently and not written by experts. Make sure the book or kit has a help-line from the publisher you can call if you need assistance. Also, does the kit/book include the forms you need? Does the kit/book have a CD-Rom so you can type the forms on your computer? Remember, you get what you pay for.
Before you buy anything, however, I recommend you check your state court system’s website because many states provide both forms and basic instructions for free. For a complete list of state-specific resources, try DoItYourselfDocuments.com. On the left side of their homepage, find your state on the drop down menu, then scroll to the bottom of the page for your state.
If there is a state-specific version of the kit or book you want, buy that one. For example, there are many national divorce kits intended for use in all 50 states. I have never seen one of these books or kits that was useful.
INDEPENDENT PARALEGALS AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Independent paralegals are paralegals that do not work under the supervision of attorneys. In California, independent paralegals are licensed, bonded, and use the title “Legal Document Assistants.” Currently, California is the only state to regulate independent paralegals. For the California Association of Legal Document Assistants, visit their website at http://www.calda.org
An independent paralegal can provide you with the forms you need for many routine legal matters and assist you with filing your documents. Typically, independent paralegals are knowledgeable about local court rules and other nuisances you may not find in a self-help book or kit. The price? Usually, 1/3 of what you’d pay for an attorney.
If you live outside of California, be sure you hire an independent paralegal with a paralegal certificate from an American Bar Association approved school. Many times, independent paralegals with 15 years of experience or more do not have these certificates because they were not needed years ago. You may want to ask the independent paralegal what, if any, continuing education s/he obtains over the course of a year to stay up-to-date on training. Also, how long, if at all, s/he worked under the supervision of an attorney to gain the required knowledge to assist you. Finally, ask if the independent paralegal is a member of a professional association or has any special certifications.
There is only one national independent paralegal franchise to my knowledge, and that is We The People. We The People does not require their owners or operators to have paralegal certificates; however, they do provide in-depth training from the company on all the types of legal matters that they cover. We The People has been in business for over 20 years.
Like the independent paralegals described above, there are also “attorney assisted” independent paralegals. These attorney-assisted paralegals typically perform the same services as traditional independent paralegals but have an attorney proofread their documents or oversee their work in some way. Prices are typically about the same or slightly higher than traditional independent paralegals.
As for legal assistance programs, most states have “paperwork helpers” in the courthouse to assist you. In California, these are called Family Law Facilitators. These programs are free to everybody; they are not legal aid, which is only available to people with low incomes. There are also occasionally programs through local civic groups, such as the YMCA, that provide similar assistance.
PRE-PAID LEGAL
There are many types of legal insurance, but the most established is Pre-Paid Legal Services ( http://www.prepaidlegal.com ) For about $25-$30 a month, you can call a “provider law firm” and get legal advice on any matter. If you decide to use the “provider law firm” to handle a legal matter on your behalf, you typically receive some kind of discount. Some programs include free preparation of a Last Will and Testament for you and your spouse. Like any insurance, you can cancel your membership at any time.
If you wanted to do a more complex legal matter on your own, you could obtain a pre-paid legal membership and call your provider law firm any time you had a concern. If desired, cancel your membership when your legal matter was resolved. Be very sure that each time you call your provider law firm, you make it clear that you are not calling about the same thing you previously called about. They will charge you if you do. Be very specific and say, “I have called about this issue before, but I have a new concern…” Be prepared to wait a day or two for the provider law firm to call you back with your requested advice or information.
Many employers offer pre-paid legal insurance as a benefit. Before you sign up, be sure to check with your employer–it may be completely free to you.
http://www.halt.org/lic/dir.php?cid=13
PrePaid Legal Services – Inexpensive Access To Legal Help
It’s no doubt that at some point in their life, everyone will need the services of an Attorney. Even the simplest legal help can be very expensive. Whether you need to review a contract, obtain a divorce, a letter written on your behalf, a will written to protect your assets, or even ask for legal advice most people can’t afford the Attorney fees that are often necessary to remedy their legal situation.
A growing number of people today are turning to an inexpensive form of preventive legal insurance called PrePaid legal.
PrePaid legal works much in the same way as your Health, Dental or even Car insurance. When you buy car insurance, you pay a monthly fee based on your driving record, age, etc. As long as you pay your monthly premium, you’re protected under that insurance policy in case of an auto accident.
With a PrePaid legal insurance plan you also have a monthly premium, it works the same way. Lawyers are available for you and your family in case you need them – in some cases 24 hours a day.
One of the most distinguishable differences between a PrePaid legal insurance plan and other forms of insurance is that your monthly premium never goes up no matter how often you use it. This means that you are able to use your provider law firm as much as you feel it it’s necessary and anytime you have a question.
Some employers offer PrePaid legal insurance as a fringe benefit. Employers understand the burden that a legal problem can place on their employees. It almost always leads to less productivity and loss of focus on work. You may want to check with your employer to see if it’s available. If it’s not available where you work, you can usually request it or obtain it individually.
Although Attorney hourly rates at an all-time high and the cost of a retainer fee is unmentionable for most people, at some point everyone needs the legal advice or legal help. But, before you decide on a particular company or Prepaid legal plan, do your due diligence and make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company rather than a fly-by-night startup and be positive that the particular PrePaid legal plan is right for you and your family.
Divorce & Health Insurance
Recently, I had a question from someone who was going through a divorce and was concerned about lost health insurance coverage because she was covered under her husband’s insurance. She was concerned not just for herself, but for her children as well. This question comes up a lot. See is this answer helps you better understand what to do. If you have additional questions on this topic, feel free to add to the blog, and I’ll answer them.
Medical Insurance and Divorce
To answer your questions specifically, here are some ideas to consider.
1) You and your children are automatically covered under your husband’s insurance as a dependent until you divorce.
2) When your divorce is final, you have the opportunity to continue your husband’s insurance by triggering what is called “COBRA”. (Note: there is another blog entry that defined COBRA.) This will continue your coverage for an additional 18 months; unfortunately, you will have to pay the full cost of the coverage (and the company can have you pay 102 – 105% of the coverage cost).
Your children, by law, will becovered under the parent’s coverage whose birth date occurs first in the calender year.
3) One suggestion is that when you hire an Attorney to assist with your divorce, you might want to ask, in the settlement negotiations, to have the price of the COBRA payments included in your settlement. This would be particularly important if you happen to have the early-in-the year birthdate, and will be paying for the children’s health insurance coverage. This cost should not have to come out of your child support, as it can be VERY EXPENSIVE.
4) Whatever you decided to do, keep all documents together. Whenever you talk to anyone, document to whom you talk, get the name and tele #, and what was said by all in the conversation as soon as possible after the conversation. In this way, you document what is said, and do not have to rely on memory. Also, when you send anything to anyone, keep a copy for yourself, and send it by registered mail, so that you have proof of receipt.