Have you ever faced a legal issue and felt completely overwhelmed, unsure where to turn or how you'd ever afford the legal fees? Many of us have. From drafting a will to dealing with a landlord dispute, legal matters can be complex, time-consuming, and incredibly expensive. That's where a MetLife Legal Plan can be a true lifesaver. It’s like having a team of legal experts on retainer, ready to assist you without the shocking hourly rates.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of maximizing your MetLife Legal Plan benefits, ensuring you're empowered to tackle any personal legal challenge that comes your way.
Understanding Your MetLife Legal Plan: The Foundation
Before diving into how to use your plan, it's essential to understand what it offers and who is covered. MetLife Legal Plans, formerly known as Hyatt Legal Plans, are designed to provide affordable access to legal services for a wide range of personal matters.
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| How To Use Metlife Legal Plan |
Who is Covered?
Typically, your MetLife Legal Plan covers you, your lawful spouse, and your unmarried dependent children up to a certain age (often 26, though this can vary by state and plan). Some plans even offer "Plus Parents" options, extending coverage to your parents and parents-in-law for specific services. It's crucial to review your specific plan details to confirm who is eligible under your coverage.
What's Covered? A Glimpse at the Benefits
MetLife Legal Plans cover a remarkably broad spectrum of legal issues, often categorized into:
QuickTip: Return to sections that felt unclear.
- Estate Planning: This includes essentials like drafting Simple and Complex Wills, Living Wills, Healthcare Proxies, Powers of Attorney (Healthcare, Financial, Childcare), and even Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts.
- Financial Matters: Think Debt Collection Defense, Identity Theft Defense, Negotiations with Creditors, Personal Bankruptcy, and Tax Audit/Collection Defense.
- Home & Real Estate: From buying or selling your home to dealing with Eviction Defense, Foreclosure, Mortgages, Security Deposit Assistance, and Boundary Disputes.
- Family & Personal: This can encompass Adoption, Name Changes, Parental Responsibility Matters, Prenuptial Agreements, Protection from Domestic Violence, and even Juvenile Court Defense.
- Civil Lawsuits: Defense for various civil litigation matters.
- Traffic Offenses: Defense of traffic tickets (excluding DUI).
- Document Preparation & Review: General review of personal legal documents.
The beauty of these plans is that many of these services are fully covered when you use a network attorney, meaning no co-pays, no deductibles, and no claim forms. You also get unlimited telephone and office consultations for most matters.
Step 1: Confirm Your Enrollment and Understand Your Coverage
Did you know the first step to leveraging your MetLife Legal Plan is often the most overlooked? It's not about jumping straight to finding a lawyer; it's about confirming you're actually enrolled and understanding the specifics of your plan.
Sub-heading: Verify Your Eligibility and Enrollment Status
- Check with Your Employer's HR/Benefits Department: If your plan is offered through your employer, this is your first stop. They can confirm your enrollment status and provide you with your plan's specific details, including your coverage start date.
- Review Your Benefits Enrollment Documents: Dig out those benefit enrollment forms you filled out during your company's open enrollment period. If you elected the MetLife Legal Plan, it should be listed there.
- Contact MetLife Legal Plans Directly: If you're unsure, or if your plan is not employer-sponsored, you can always reach out to MetLife Legal Plans' Client Service Center at 1-800-821-6400. Have your Membership Number (if you have one) or the last four digits of your SSN and your Zip Code ready for verification. They can confirm your eligibility and walk you through your specific plan.
Sub-heading: Familiarize Yourself with Your Plan's Specifics
- Access the Member Website: Once confirmed, the members.legalplans.com website is your go-to resource. Create an account using your email and a password of your choice. This portal provides a guided experience to see your exact coverages.
- Review the "Covered Services" Section: This is crucial. While we've listed general categories, each plan can have slight variations. The member website will detail precisely what legal matters are fully covered, what might be partially covered (with a reimbursement schedule for out-of-network attorneys), and any exclusions.
- Understand "Fully Covered" vs. "Advice & Consultation": Many plans offer unlimited advice and consultations for a broad range of personal legal matters, even those not "fully covered." "Fully covered" typically means all attorney services related to that specific matter are included with a network attorney.
Step 2: Identify Your Legal Need and Gather Information
Now that you're sure you're covered, it's time to focus on the legal matter at hand.
Sub-heading: Clearly Define Your Legal Issue
- What exactly is the problem? Is it a landlord-tenant dispute? Are you looking to create a will? Do you need help with a debt collector? Being clear about your need will help you find the right attorney.
- Is it a pre-existing matter? MetLife Legal Plans generally cover pre-existing matters, unless you had already retained an attorney for that specific issue before your plan coverage began.
Sub-heading: Collect Relevant Documents and Information
- Be Prepared: Just like any professional appointment, being prepared for your legal consultation will save you time and money (even if the plan covers the attorney's fees!).
- Examples of Documents to Gather:
- For a will: A list of beneficiaries, assets, and desired guardians for minor children.
- For a landlord dispute: Lease agreement, communication with your landlord, photos, and any relevant invoices.
- For debt collection: Collection letters, original creditor information, payment history.
- Note Down Key Dates and Timelines: When did the issue arise? Are there any deadlines you need to be aware of?
Step 3: Find a Network Attorney and Get a Case Number
This is where you connect with the legal expertise your plan provides.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
Sub-heading: Utilizing the MetLife Legal Plans Member Website
- Online Attorney Locator: The members.legalplans.com website has an attorney locator tool. You can search by legal matter, geographic location, or even attorney name if you have a referral.
- Guided Experience: The website will often guide you through a series of questions to help you pinpoint the type of attorney you need.
- View Attorney Profiles: You can often view profiles of network attorneys, including their specialties, experience, and sometimes even reviews from other plan members.
Sub-heading: Contacting the Client Service Center for Assistance
- Personalized Support: If you prefer speaking to someone or need help navigating the online tools, call the Client Service Center at 1-800-821-6400. Their representatives are trained to help you understand your coverage, find suitable attorneys, and answer your questions.
- Getting a Case Number: Regardless of whether you find an attorney online or by phone, you will need a Case Number for your legal matter. This is similar to a claim number and signifies that your case is being processed under your plan. The Client Service Center will provide this to you, or it may be generated automatically when you select an attorney online. You'll need a new Case Number for each new legal issue you have.
Sub-heading: Choosing an Attorney: Network vs. Out-of-Network
- Network Attorneys are Preferred: Using a network attorney is highly recommended as their services for covered matters are fully paid by your plan. MetLife vets these attorneys to ensure they meet specific criteria and adhere to an "Attorney Code of Excellence." They have an average of 25 years of experience!
- Out-of-Network Option: You can choose an attorney outside the MetLife network. However, if you do, MetLife Legal Plans will reimburse you for their fees according to a set fee schedule. You will be responsible for paying any difference between the reimbursement amount and the attorney's actual charges. Always ask for the out-of-network fee reimbursement schedule if you're considering this option.
Step 4: Schedule Your Appointment and Begin Your Legal Journey
With your case number in hand and an attorney identified, you're ready to proceed.
Sub-heading: Contacting Your Chosen Attorney
- Make the Call: Reach out to the attorney's office directly to schedule an appointment.
- Provide Your Case Number: Be sure to provide your MetLife Legal Plan Case Number when you schedule your appointment. This is how the attorney's office verifies your coverage and bills MetLife directly for covered services.
- Discuss Your Availability: Many network attorneys offer flexible appointment times, including evenings and Saturdays, to accommodate your schedule.
Sub-heading: Preparing for Your Consultation
- Bring Your Documents: Have all the documents and information you gathered in Step 2 readily available.
- Formulate Your Questions: Think about what you want to achieve from this consultation and prepare a list of questions for the attorney.
- Be Honest and Thorough: Provide your attorney with all the relevant details, even if they seem minor. The more information they have, the better they can assist you.
Step 5: Utilizing Your Plan for Ongoing Support and Digital Tools
Your MetLife Legal Plan isn't just for a single consultation; it's a resource for ongoing support and convenient digital tools.
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Sub-heading: Ongoing Communication with Your Attorney
- Unlimited Consultations: For most covered matters, you have unlimited consultations with your network attorney. Don't hesitate to reach out if new questions arise or your situation changes.
- Confidentiality: Your communications with your attorney are confidential, maintaining the traditional lawyer-client relationship. Your employer will not be privy to your legal problems or the services you use under the plan.
Sub-heading: Leveraging Digital Estate Planning Solutions
- Online Document Creation: MetLife Legal Plans offers a digital estate planning solution on their member website. This allows you to create important documents like Last Wills and Testaments, Advance Directives (Living Wills), and Durable Financial Powers of Attorney online, often in as little as 15 minutes.
- Notary Services: In states where video notary is available, the platform may even guide you through the process of having your documents notarized virtually, complete with provided witnesses.
- Attorney Review (if needed): If your estate is more complex, the online tool might direct you to consult with a network attorney to ensure everything is handled correctly.
Sub-heading: Accessing Self-Help Legal Forms
- Beyond estate planning, the member website may also provide access to a library of self-help legal forms for various personal legal matters, empowering you to handle simpler issues yourself if you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to enroll in the MetLife Legal Plan?
Typically, enrollment occurs during your employer's annual enrollment period. If you're a new employee, you might have a window (e.g., 30 days) to enroll upon becoming eligible. You select the plan as part of your benefits package.
How to find a MetLife Legal Plan network attorney?
You can find a network attorney by logging into the MetLife Legal Plans member website (members.legalplans.com) and using their attorney locator tool, or by calling the Client Service Center at 1-800-821-6400.
QuickTip: Read in order — context builds meaning.
How to get a case number for my legal matter?
A case number is provided by the MetLife Legal Plans Client Service Center when you identify your legal need, or it may be generated automatically through the online attorney locator when you select an attorney for a specific matter. You'll need a new case number for each new legal issue.
How to use the MetLife Legal Plan for pre-existing matters?
Yes, MetLife Legal Plans generally cover pre-existing matters, unless you had already hired an attorney for that specific issue before your plan coverage became effective.
How to know what legal matters are covered by my plan?
The most accurate way to confirm covered services is to log into your account on the MetLife Legal Plans member website (members.legalplans.com) and review your specific plan's "Covered Services" section. You can also call the Client Service Center for clarification.
How to use a non-network attorney with my MetLife Legal Plan?
You can use an attorney outside the network. However, MetLife Legal Plans will reimburse you for their fees according to a set fee schedule, and you will be responsible for any difference between the reimbursement and the attorney's charges.
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
How to contact MetLife Legal Plan customer service?
You can contact the MetLife Legal Plans Client Service Center by calling 1-800-821-6400 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time).
How to create a will or other estate planning documents online?
Log into your MetLife Legal Plans member account on members.legalplans.com. Look for their digital estate planning solution, which guides you through creating documents like wills, living wills, and powers of attorney.
How to know if my family members are covered by my MetLife Legal Plan?
Most plans cover your lawful spouse and unmarried dependent children up to age 26. Some plans offer additional coverage for parents or parents-in-law. Always check your specific plan documents or contact MetLife Legal Plans directly to confirm dependent coverage.
How to get help if I have a legal matter not fully covered by the plan?
Even for matters not fully covered, your plan often provides unlimited advice and consultations with a network attorney. This means you can still get expert legal guidance, even if the full representation isn't covered. For out-of-network situations, you'll be reimbursed according to a fee schedule.
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