In life, unexpected legal needs can arise at any moment. From navigating the complexities of buying a home to planning for your family's future, or even dealing with an unforeseen dispute, legal assistance can be crucial but often comes with a hefty price tag. That's where MetLife Legal Plans step in, offering an accessible and affordable way to get the legal support you need.
Are you curious about how this invaluable service works and if it's the right fit for you? Let's dive in and explore the ins and outs of MetLife Legal Plans together!
How Does MetLife Legal Work? A Comprehensive Guide
MetLife Legal Plans, formerly known as Hyatt Legal Plans, operates on a prepaid legal services model. Think of it like an insurance plan, but for legal matters. Instead of paying an attorney's hourly rate (which can easily exceed $300-$400 per hour!), you pay a small monthly fee, and in return, you get access to a network of attorneys who provide services for a wide range of personal legal matters.
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| How Does Metlife Legal Work |
Step 1: Understanding the Foundation – What is a MetLife Legal Plan?
Before we get into the "how-to," let's solidify what a MetLife Legal Plan actually is. It's a voluntary employee benefit offered by many employers, providing you, your spouse, and eligible dependents with access to legal assistance for common personal legal needs.
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It's not just for crises: While it's excellent for unexpected legal issues, it's also incredibly useful for proactive planning like wills, estate planning, and real estate transactions.
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Cost-effective: The primary benefit is the significantly reduced cost compared to hiring an attorney on a traditional hourly basis.
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Convenience: Accessing legal help becomes streamlined through a pre-vetted network of attorneys and online resources.
Step 2: Enrolling in the Plan – Getting Started with Coverage
So, you've decided a legal plan sounds like a smart move. Excellent choice! The next step is enrollment.
Sub-heading: Eligibility and Enrollment Periods
Typically, MetLife Legal Plans are offered through your employer during their annual open enrollment period. If your employer offers it, you'll find information about it alongside your other benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
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Employer-Sponsored: Most commonly, you enroll through your company's benefits portal. The monthly fee is usually deducted directly from your paycheck, often on a pre-tax or after-tax basis depending on your employer's setup.
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No Waiting Periods (Generally): A great advantage is that there are often no waiting periods to begin using the plan for covered services once your coverage officially starts. This means you can get help as soon as you need it.
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Who is Covered?: Generally, the plan covers you, your spouse, and your eligible dependent children. Some plans, like the "Plus Parents" option, might even extend coverage to your parents, parents-in-law, and grandparents. Always check your specific plan details to confirm who is included.
Sub-heading: Reviewing Plan Options and Costs
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
MetLife often offers different plan tiers (e.g., Standard vs. High Plan) with varying levels of coverage. Review the details carefully to ensure the plan aligns with your potential legal needs.
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Monthly Fee: The cost is usually a flat monthly fee, making budgeting for legal services predictable. This fee can range from around $15 to $25 per month, depending on the plan and your employer's agreement.
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What's "Fully Covered?": For many services when you use a network attorney, the plan fully covers the attorney's fees. This means no deductibles, no co-pays, and no claim forms to fill out. It's essentially all-inclusive for those specific covered matters.
Step 3: Understanding Covered Services – What Can Your Plan Do for You?
This is where the true value of MetLife Legal Plans shines. They cover a surprisingly broad range of personal legal matters. While specific coverage can vary slightly by plan and state, here are some common categories:
Sub-heading: Home & Real Estate Matters
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Buying or Selling a Home: Assistance with reviewing purchase agreements, sales contracts, and other related documents.
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Refinancing & Home Equity Loans: Legal guidance through the process.
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Eviction Defense & Tenant Negotiations: If you're a tenant facing issues.
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Deeds, Mortgages, Boundary Disputes: And other property-related concerns.
Sub-heading: Estate Planning
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Wills (Simple & Complex): Drafting and updating Last Wills and Testaments.
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Living Wills & Healthcare Proxies: Ensuring your medical wishes are honored.
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Powers of Attorney (Financial, Healthcare, Childcare): Appointing trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf.
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Trusts (Revocable & Irrevocable): For more complex asset protection and distribution.
Sub-heading: Family & Personal Matters
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Adoption: Legal support for growing your family.
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Name Change: Assistance with the legal process.
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Prenuptial Agreements: For those planning to tie the knot.
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Divorce (limited coverage, e.g., initial consultations or a set number of hours): While not always fully covering entire divorce proceedings, they often provide valuable initial support.
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Guardianship & Conservatorship: For minors or incapacitated adults.
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Protection from Domestic Violence: Seeking legal protection.
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Review of ANY Personal Legal Document: A great, often overlooked benefit for peace of mind.
Sub-heading: Money Matters
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Debt Collection Defense: If you're being pursued by creditors.
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Personal Bankruptcy: Guidance through bankruptcy proceedings.
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Tax Audit Representation: Support if you're audited by the IRS.
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Identity Theft Defense & Restoration: A crucial benefit in today's digital age.
Sub-heading: Vehicle & Driving Matters
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Defense of Traffic Tickets (excluding DUI in many cases): Getting help with minor infractions.
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Driving Privileges Restoration: After a suspension.
Important Note: Excluded matters generally include employment-related issues, business matters, matters involving your employer, MetLife, or plan attorneys, class actions, appeals, and typically criminal matters (though some plans may offer limited defense for certain juvenile or misdemeanor criminal matters). Always consult your plan's specific terms and conditions.
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
Step 4: Accessing Legal Help – Putting Your Plan to Work
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Once you're enrolled and understand your coverage, using the plan is designed to be simple and convenient.
Sub-heading: Finding an Attorney
MetLife Legal Plans boasts a nationwide network of thousands of experienced attorneys.
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Online Attorney Locator: The easiest way to find an attorney is usually through the MetLife Legal Plans member website or mobile app. You can search by legal matter, location, and even language.
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Client Service Center: If you prefer, you can call their Client Service Center. Representatives can help you understand your coverage, answer questions, and connect you with suitable network attorneys in your area.
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Freedom of Choice: While using a network attorney offers the most comprehensive coverage (often 100% paid-in-full), you typically have the option to use an out-of-network attorney. If you choose this, MetLife will reimburse you according to a set fee schedule, though you will be responsible for any difference in cost.
Sub-heading: Initiating a Case
Once you've identified an attorney:
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Contact the Attorney: Call the attorney you've selected from the network.
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Provide Case Number: When you contact them, you'll likely need to provide a case number, which you can obtain from the MetLife Legal Plans member website or by calling the Client Service Center. This number links your matter to your plan benefits.
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Schedule Your Consultation: Arrange a time to speak with the attorney, either in person, by phone, or via email, depending on the nature of your legal matter and the attorney's practice.
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No Paperwork (for Covered Matters with Network Attorneys): For fully covered services with a network attorney, you typically won't need to fill out any claim forms or handle billing. MetLife handles the payment directly with the attorney, making the process incredibly smooth.
Sub-heading: Unlimited Consultations and Online Resources
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Unlimited Consultations: For many plans, you get unlimited telephone and office consultations with a network attorney for both covered and non-covered (but not excluded) personal legal matters. This is a huge benefit for getting advice and understanding your options.
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Online Tools: MetLife Legal Plans also provides robust online tools, including:
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Digital Estate Planning: Create wills, living wills, and powers of attorney online in minutes.
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Self-Help Legal Forms: Access a library of documents for various legal situations.
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Video Notary Feature: In some states, you can even digitally sign and notarize documents.
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Step 5: Ongoing Benefits and Support – Peace of Mind
The advantages of a MetLife Legal Plan extend beyond just the initial legal service.
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Continuous Access: As long as you're enrolled, you have ongoing access to legal counsel for new issues that arise.
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Confidentiality: Your legal matters are confidential. Your employer will not be privy to the details of your legal issues or the services you use through the plan. The attorney-client relationship is maintained with strict confidentiality.
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Quality Network: MetLife vets its network attorneys rigorously. They typically have an average of 25 years of experience, are graduates of accredited law schools, maintain valid state licensure, and commit to a high code of excellence. MetLife also monitors performance and conducts regular re-credentialing.
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Savings over Time: The cumulative savings over time can be substantial, especially if you anticipate needing legal assistance for common life events like buying a home, estate planning, or even addressing traffic tickets.
MetLife Legal Plans truly work by providing a proactive, affordable, and convenient solution for navigating life's legal complexities. It's about empowering you with expert legal support, offering peace of mind, and helping you protect what matters most.
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to enroll in MetLife Legal Plans?
You typically enroll in MetLife Legal Plans through your employer during their annual open enrollment period. Contact your HR or benefits department for specific instructions and access codes.
How to find a MetLife Legal Plans network attorney?
You can find a network attorney by logging into the MetLife Legal Plans member website (members.legalplans.com) or using their mobile app. Alternatively, you can call their Client Service Center at 800-821-6400 for assistance.
How to use MetLife Legal Plans for a specific legal matter?
Once enrolled, log in to the member website or call the Client Service Center to get a case number for your legal matter. Then, contact a network attorney, provide your case number, and schedule your consultation.
How to know what legal services are covered by MetLife Legal Plans?
Your specific plan document or benefit summary, usually provided by your employer, outlines the covered services. You can also log in to the MetLife Legal Plans member website or call their Client Service Center to view your coverage details.
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
How to create a will or estate plan with MetLife Legal Plans?
Many plans offer online tools on the MetLife Legal Plans website where you can create wills, living wills, and powers of attorney in as little as 15 minutes by answering a few guided questions. You can also work with a network attorney for personalized assistance.
How to handle a pre-existing legal matter with MetLife Legal Plans?
MetLife Legal Plans generally cover pre-existing matters, meaning issues that existed before you enrolled. The only exception is if you had already retained an attorney for that specific matter before your plan coverage began.
How to get reimbursed if I use an out-of-network attorney with MetLife Legal Plans?
If you opt to use an attorney outside of the MetLife network, you will typically pay the attorney directly and then submit a reimbursement request to MetLife according to a set fee schedule. You will be responsible for any costs exceeding the reimbursement amount.
How to contact MetLife Legal Plans customer service?
You can reach the MetLife Legal Plans Client Service Center by calling 800-821-6400, generally available Monday through Friday during business hours (e.g., 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET).
How to confirm if my family members are covered by MetLife Legal Plans?
Your plan typically covers you, your spouse, and eligible dependent children. Some enhanced plans may also cover parents, parents-in-law, and grandparents. Refer to your specific plan's benefit description or contact MetLife Legal Plans directly to confirm your family's eligibility.
How to cancel my MetLife Legal Plans coverage?
Since MetLife Legal Plans are typically an employer-sponsored benefit, cancellation usually occurs through your employer's benefits department during the open enrollment period or if you experience a qualifying life event (like leaving employment). Contact your HR for the specific process.
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