What is Pre-Paid Legal?

Pre-Paid Legal has been providing legal service plans to American families for over 30 years. Our customers can access legal counsel and advice from qualified lawyers simply by calling a toll-free number. Many other benefits are included, but even at the most basic level our plans allow you to have peace of mind, knowing that the promise of Equal Justice Under Law is a reality.

What does a Pre-Paid Legal Plan mean for your family?

• - Receiving legal consultation on contracts or documents before you sign.
• - Emergency access to a lawyer when you need it: Nights, weekends, even holidays.
• - Getting your Will, Living Will and healthcare power of attorney with annual reviews.
• - A service you can count on for all life's events.
• - Experienced lawyers on your side.
• - Peace of mind for you and your family.

How can Pre-Paid Legal help your Business ?

Affordable and rate stable. These aren't terms normally associated with attorney consultations, but with Pre-Paid Legal Services, it's a reality. We offer a selection of legal plans designed to provide your business with valuable legal services you can use again and again.

• - Have an attorney review contracts and documents before you sign
• - Assistance with collecting money from customers
• - A resource for any business or legal question

Benefits vary by state or province

Lawyer Consultations

Pre-Paid Legal has a nationwide network of Provider Law Firms (PLFs) that span North America. These high quality law firms are carefully screened, selected, and monitored to ensure the highest standard of customer service is given to each and every Member. When you become a Member, you will be assigned to a PLF and the number on the back of your membership card will be your direct number to call whenever you have a legal question or issue.

Using your Membership is as easy as picking up the phone! When you sign up, you will receive a member guide full of valuable information including Member cards with your personal Member number and your toll-free PLF information on the back. Whenever you have a legal question or concern, just pick up the phone and call.

Identity Theft

Are you aware of the serious toll identity theft can take on your life? Identity thieves target millions of Americans, even children, each year. Thieves can wreak havoc on finances, credit history, cause time off work and a great deal of stress trying to resolve the matter. Take action now against this devastating crime with the Identity Theft ShieldSM from Pre-Paid Legal. Our valuable services include licensed experts that will step in and assist you in resolving your identity theft issue, so you can get back to work and back to your life.

Are you ready to take charge of your future?

Unlike some of the other options available today, the Identity Theft ShieldSM is not a do-it-yourself kit that depends on time off work and away from family to get this serious crime resolved. Access your credit report and score quickly and conveniently online, through our secure website.

The world's leading risk consulting agency, Kroll, Inc. will monitor your credit file and suspicious activity will be brought to your attention, providing you with early detection.

You have the experts on your side! Just call the toll-free number on the back of your Identity Theft ShieldSM card, to speak with a trained expert. They will help you determine if you are a victim of identity theft, and provide expert restoration services for you, so you can get back to work and back to your life. AND, our Identity Theft ShieldSM can be conveniently coupled with a Pre-Paid Legal Plan, which gives you access to experienced lawyers who can advise you on legal issues that surface, including identity theft related legal issues, and so much more!Don't face this devastating crime alone; get the experts on your side!

How can I pay for the membership?

We accept the following payment methods:
1. Bank Check - annually in advance.
2. Credit Card - (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX) monthly, six monthly or annually.
3. Direct Debit - monthly, six monthly or annually.
4. Personal / Business cheque - annually in advance only.

Please Note:
Membership will not be provided until payment clears.
Ongoing payment is governed by the terms and conditions under your membership plan.
Membership is for an initial period of 12 months and then, 12 monthly.
Membership is automatically renewed on the joining aniversary, unless otherwise advised in writing and signed by the primary member, or the person responsible for payment being made, prior to the renewal date.

Who provides services for members?

Pre-Paid Legal provides members with direct access to a quality law firm when they have a legal need through a network of long established and highly regarded independent law firms with experienced lawyers who are specialists in their areas of law.. Our provider law firm network is the result of extensive evaluation and of experience working with hundreds of lawyers across the country.

You can rest assured that the Law Firms that make up our Legal Provider Network:
Are All well established firms have all been selected to serve you only after extensive investigation by Pre-Paid Legal are in good standing with their state or territory Bar Association. Have a service philosophy consistent with the high standards of Pre-Paid Legal. Understand and empathize with our member's legal problems. Will provide you with courteous and professional service at all times treat you the same as if you are their largest client in most cases. Consistently receive "excellent" to "very good" overall ratings from our members

What our Provider Lawyers have to say...
"We treat the individual member with the same care, concern and commitment as the largest client of our firm."

"If we can't keep one Pre-Paid Legal member happy when he or she calls, we'll have Pre-Paid Legal asking us why we didn't."

"In the years of providing legal services for Pre-Paid Legal members I have seen that each and every day there is a tremendous value and benefit in having access to lawyer when you need one. If we can help an individual to resolve their legal issues before they become a legal problem, it makes all the difference"

What state or territory can I take up membership?

Membership is now available in all States and Territories, where Pre-Paid Legal has Law Firms in place as part of its Legal Provider Network able to provide services to members in accordance with their membership plans.

What do I do once I have become a member?

When you need legal advice or assistance, simply call the Legal Service Provider during normal business hours on the office number listed on the back of your membership card. If you require emergency legal assistance after normal business hours, all you have to do is call the 24 hour LEGAL SHIELD emergenct number which is also noted on the back of your membership card.

How do I become a member?

Simply call us directly on 866-944-3244 or email us prepaidlegal@servistree.com or go directly to the Enroll Now link on this website, complete the registration requirements and we will do the rest.

How does my membership work?

When you need legal advice or assistance, simply call the Legal Service Provider during normal business hours on the office number listed on the back of your membership card. If you require emergency legal assistance after normal business hours, all you have to do is call the 24 hour LEGAL SHIELD emergency number which is also noted on the back of your membership card.

How Your Membership Works
On signing and returning your membership application form and once your application is approved then within seven days you should receive your PPL membership kit. You are asked to read the information provided thoroughly to ensure you have received the correct membership plan for your use. If you have any queries then contact PPL directly.

In the membership kit, for Personal plans, is a questionnaire in relation to Wills. If you do not have a will the questionnaire can be used to create a will for you. If you have an existing will then the questionnaire will help you determine if you need to make changes.

If you have a legal issue, or are seeking legal advice, then please contact PPL directly, during normal business hours between 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday through Friday (except public holidays). A PPL customer service representative on answering your call will ask you for:
• Your name
• Your membership number
• What type of legal concern you have.

They will then determine what is the most appropriate course of action for your particular issue. The customer service representative may be able to answer your query but if your issue requires the services of a solicitor you will be given the contact details of a Legal Service Provider along with a reference number in relation to your call.

Then simply contact the Legal Service Provider during normal business hours and advise them:
• Your name
• That you are a PPL member
• Your membership number
• Advise them of your legal matter and the PPL reference number for the matter.

If the solicitor is unavailable at the time of your call simply leave a contact number that you can be reached on and the solicitor will call you back within twenty four (24) hours.
If you have not had a return call within this time frame then please contact PPL and a customer representative will follow up on the matter for you.
Your PPL membership provides you with twenty four (24) hour readily accessible legal protection at a cost you can afford – so don't leave home without it

As a Pre-Paid Legal Member, once you have enrolled, and your application approved, your membership kit will be sent to you within 7 days. Your membership kit will include:
• Welcome Letter
• Will Questionnaire
• Nominated Plan and Contract Documents
• How Your Membership Works Pamphlet
• Membership Benefits Pamphlet
• Membership Card

Your Membership card will have your name, membership number and the contact details, you will need to call, should you have an legal issue. Your membership card should be kept with you at all times. SO DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.

Pre-Paid Legal ensures that its members have access to attorneys that specialize and have the experience in a specific area of law, they may require. Working with your Legal Service Provider is essential in ensuring the best possible result, so:

Seek help early
By the time it occurs to you that legal advice may be needed, it probably is. The earlier you seek help, the more options you and the Legal Service Provider will have and the greater your chances of eliminating the problem altogether. Preventative law works!

Establish clear ground rules
A good relationship with the Legal Service Provider depends on good communication and a firm understanding of your respective needs and responsibilities. Nothing breeds misunderstanding more than assumptions. Be clear about what you want. Ask questions and listen to the answers. The Legal Service Provider should listen carefully to you as well. They should clearly explain your options and discuss a timetable.

Respect the Legal Service Provider's judgement
The Legal Service Provider is working with you in mind and should not make any important decisions without discussing them with you. You must, however, respect their judgement and allow them to do their job. Remember that the law does not always allow a resolution to your problem in a way that is completely satisfactory to you.

Allow the Legal Service Provider to be an intermediary
It is not always necessary to take a case to court. Trials are costly and sometimes the solution may be reached amicably without going to court, through negotiation or a mediation process.

What level of contact will you have with the Legal Service Provider
Some people want 'yes or no" answers, others want full explanations. Some clients want the solicitor to do everything and just tell them when it's done. Be sure to discuss what level of contact you want. The Legal Service Provider will give you legal advice but cannot advise you accurately if you do not follow the advice given. Keep the lines of communication open.

What should you expect if your case requires representation
If, based on the consultation, it is determined that your matter requires representation, you may be required to pay a retainer fee for services beyond contract benefits. This applies to all pre-existing conditions as well as to assistance and/or representation not fully covered under your contract.

What should you do if things don't seem to be going well with your case
If the legal matter isn't going the way you expected, if nothing seems to be happening or if you don't understand what is happening, speak up. Call the Legal Service Provider if you want more information. Also, let a Pre-Paid Legal customer service representative know about the situation and we will be happy to assist you, where possible.

What level of contact will you have with the Legal Service Provider?

Some people want 'yes or no" answers, others want full explanations. Some clients want the solicitor to do everything and just tell them when it's done. Be sure to discuss what level of contact you want. The Legal Service Provider will give you legal advice but cannot advise you accurately if you do not follow the advice given. Keep the lines of communication open.

What should you expect if your case requires representation?

If, based on the consultation, it is determined that your matter requires representation, you may be required to pay a retainer fee for services beyond contract benefits. This applies to all pre-existing conditions as well as to assistance and/or representation not fully covered under your contract.

What should you do if things don't seem to be going well with your case?

If the legal matter isn't going the way you expected, if nothing seems to be happening or if you don't understand what is happening, speak up. Call the Legal Service Provider if you want more information. Also, let a Pre-Paid Legal customer service representative know about the situation and we will be happy to assist you, where possible.

What law firm do I use?

Pre-Paid Legal provides members with direct access to a quality law firm when they have a legal need.

Dependant upon the nature of your legal issue, Pre-Paid Legal will recommend and provide the contact details of a Legal Service Provider best suited to advise or assist your needs.

Our provider law firm network is the result of extensive evaluation and of experience working with hundreds of lawyers across the country.

You can rest assured that the Law Firms that make up our Legal Provider Network:
• Are all well established firms
• Have all been selected to serve you only after extensive investigation by Pre-Paid Legal
• Are in good standing with their state or territory Bar Association and the Law Society
• Have a service philosophy consistent with the high standards of Pre-Paid Legal
• Understand and empathizes with our member's legal problems
• Will provide you with courteous and professional service at all times
• Treat you the same as if you are their largest client in most cases
• Consistently receive "excellent" to "very good" overall ratings from our members

What our Provider Lawyers have to say...
"We treat the individual member with the same care, concern and commitment as the largest client of our firm."

"If we can't keep one Pre-Paid Legal member happy when he or she calls, we'll have Pre-Paid Legal asking us why we didn't."

"In the years of providing legal services for Pre-Paid Legal members I have seen that each and every day there is a tremendous value and benefit in having access to lawyer when you need one. If we can help an individual to resolve their legal issues before they become a legal problem, it makes all the difference"

What benefits do I get?

Personal Plan Benefits The PPL Personal Plans for individuals, families, seniors and pensioners, employees and contractors provide members and their dependants (if appropriate in the selected plan's benefits) direct access to the legal services they need most at an affordable cost per month.

Having an attorney readily available means peace of mind and is the best way to protect your rights and ensure yourself of legal assistance when you need it – through a pre-paid legal plan.

Personal Plan benefits include:
• Preventative legal services:
    - Telephone advice and consultation
    - Face to face consultation
    - Phone calls and letters to third parties
    - A simple Will including updates and powers of attorney
    - Contract and document review and preparation.
• Sale and purchase of property/land.
• Banking & finance legal services.
• Motor Vehicle/Recreational Water Craft legal services.
• Family/De facto law.
• Employment and Workplace Relations.
• Medical/Dental/Health Professional Negligence.
• Court proceedings – Civil and criminal.
• Income Taxation legal services.
• Legal Shield – 24 hour emergency service.
• Preferred Member Discount - for pre-existing issues and legal services not included in the Personal Plans.

Please refer to the individual Personal Plans for more benefit detail and the level of Legal Services provided under each plan by clicking on one of the above links.

Business Plan Benefits

One of the first steps in protecting the value of your business is to have an accurate knowledge and understanding of the law. The PPL Business Plans provide owner(s) direct access to the legal services they need most for their business for an affordable cost per month.

It is also a requirement that all business owners must hold a Singles or Family Plan membership. The business plan membership and contract does not cover the owners or any employees for any personal legal matter other than for employment related matters during normal business hours.

The best way to ensure you protect your business and to be able to assure yourself of legal assistance when you need it is through a pre-paid legal plan.

Business Plan benefits include:
• Preventative legal services, including:
    - Telephone advice and consultation
    - Face to face consultation
    - Phone calls and letters to third parties
    - Contract and document review and preparation
    - Recoveries and Debt collection
    - Insurance law
    - Specialist consultation
• Sale and Purchase of property/business
• Banking & Finance legal services
• Motor Vehicle/Commercial Water Craft legal services
• Employment and Workplace Relations
• Court proceedings
• Income Taxation legal services
• Preferred Member Discount - for pre-existing issues and legal services not included in the Business Plans.

Along with these legal services are other business based services specifically for business plan members through PPL's Business Network. Please refer to the individual Business Plans for more benefit detail and the level of legal services provided for each plan.

How much does it cost?

One year of Pre-Paid Legal benefits can cost less than one hour of an attorneys time and in most cases less than the cost of private health cover.

A Legal Plan is a simply sound investment. Lawyers fees can be in the hundreds of dollars per hour range. With only minimal use of the plan, it can pay for itself.

With common legal issues on the rise and statistics showing that you are three times more likely to end up in court than hospital, the peace of mind provided by having a Pre-Paid Legal Plan is a benefit you will appreciate.

Depending upon the type of plan you require, personal or business,plans start from less than a dollar a day.

I have never needed an attorney, so why should I have one now?

Ask yourself, have you ever:
- Been overcharged for a repair?
- Tried to return a defective product?
- Lost a bond or security deposit?
- Received a traffic or parking ticket?
- Been audited by the Taxation Office?
- Received an unfair credit report?
- Had to collect child support?
- Purchased or sold a home or business?
- Needed to prepare a will?


Pre-Paid Legal Plans are timely and in demand!

Altogether, seven in ten households (71%) report experiencing some event in the past twelve months that might have led them to hire a lawyer.

The most common events are:
• Real estate transactions
• Mortgage refinancing
• Damage to property or automobile
• Creating of wills or estate plans
• Landlord / tenant disputes
• Moving traffic violations
• Trouble with creditors

Public Perceptions of Lawyers Consumer research findings, 2002, Published by section litigation - ABA.

The need for Pre-Paid Legal Services is growing
2,700,000 legal matters lodged in courts across the nation
Of these were... • 1,700,000 criminal cases
• 773,500 civil cases
• 226,500 other

Equating to...
• 10,714 court filings a day
• 1,339 an hour
• 22 per minute, or

Nearly 1 court lodgement every 4 seconds

Today, statistics show:

You are now three times more likely to be in court than you are to be hospitalized with a court lodgement being made in some court around the country at the rate of almost one every two seconds.

So can you afford not to have a Pre-Paid Legal Plan?

Most of us don't think we will need legal assistance, yet how many times when you think about it you could have. The truth is that most of us can't afford it, therefore we either dismiss the issue or try to deal with it ourselves.

Everyone's knows its smart to have an attorney on your side, but few of us can justify spending $300 or more per hour to fight for our legal rights, or simply get advice for peace of mind.

Could you have used an attorney in the past if someone else had paid the bill? That's exactly what we give our members.

Why should I have a Pre-Paid Legal Plan?

We all know:
- Protecting our home and belongings against damage or theft is prudent.
- Having motor vehicle insurance is sensible.
- Making sure we have health insurance is practical.
- Providing security for our families future is smart planning.

Then doesn't it make sense to have legal coverage to protect and defend your rights?If you had issues with any of the above situations,you would need to seek legal advice.

Many situations require professional legal advice, such as, drawing up a Will, buying a business or resolving a dispute. But not everyone can afford it when it is needed. One such option to getting a service you may need is through a Pre-Paid Legal Services plan.

For an affordable monthly or annual fee these legal plans provide uncomplicated access to legal services when ever you need them. They help to take the stress out of finding the right legal assistance and provide easy access to the kind of legal support many people need.

Pre-Paid Legal Plans provide for prepayment for legal advice, consultation services and representation combined with a discount fee-for-service benefit. A legal plan is designed to cover a large percentage of the average person's and small business's legal needs in a given year.

Pre-Paid Legal Plans provide services such as legal advice, information by phone, office consultations, preparation and review of legal documents and contracts, trial representation, property advice and settlement, negotiation and mediation services, Wills and powers of attorney, a 24 hour legal emergency service and much more.

Even though most people find themselves in these situations, the majority do not seek the advice or help of a qualified lawyer. Why?
• It may cost too much.
• They may not know where to begin.
• The process is intimidating.

You only get as much justice as you can afford. If you don't know your rights, you simply don't have any! The top 10% of income earners can afford to have a lawyer on retainer and are accustomed to asking their lawyer for advice before making decisions. What about you?

With Pre-Paid Legal:
• You know who to call.
• You're treated like the firm's most important client.
• You are empowered by knowing your legal rights.
• You have peace of mind.

Without Pre-Paid Legal:
• You may try to handle it yourself.
• You'll likely receive as much justice as you can afford.
• You may pay hundreds of dollars for ONE HOUR of a lawyer's time.
• If you don't know your rights, you don't have any!
• You have no peace of mind.

Pre-Paid Legal "levels the playing field" in the justice system. With a Pre-Paid Legal Plan you can say, "I'm going to talk to my lawyer about this." -- and mean it!

How am I covered?

A Pre-Paid Legal Plan is designed to cover a large percentage of the average persons and small business's legal needs in a given year.

The Personal & Business Plan legal benefits include:
• Preventative legal services:
    - Telephone advice & consultation
    - Face to face consultation
    - Phone calls & letters to third parties
    - A simple Will including updates and powers of attorney (Personal Plans only)
    - Contract & document review & preparation
    - Recoveries and Debt collection (Business Plans only)
    - Insurance law (Business Plans only)
    - Specialist consultation (Business Plans only)
• The sale and purchase of property/land for Personal plans plus a business for Business plans
• Banking & finance legal services
• Motor Vehicle/Recreational Water Craft legal services
• Family/De facto law (Personal Plans only)
• Employment & Workplace Relations
• Medical/Dental/Health Negligence (Personal Plans only)
• Court proceedings – Civil and criminal
• Income Taxation legal services
• Legal Shield – 24 hour emergency service. (Personal Plans only)
• Preferred Member Discount - for pre-existing issues and legal services not included in the membership plans

Please refer to the individual Personal & Business Plans for more benefit detail and the level of Legal Services provided under each Plan. The information provided here is generic in nature and is not an offer of membership.

What is Pre-Paid Legal Services?

Pre-Paid Legal Services is to solicitors and legal fees, what Health Insurance is to doctors and hospital bills.

Pre-Paid Legal provides affordable access to the legal system for all Australians through a network of long established and highly regarded independent law firms with experienced lawyers who are specialists in their areas of law.

Pre-Paid Legal provides pre-paid legal plans which allow for prepayment for legal advice, consultation services, and representation combined with a discount fee-for-service benefit. It is designed to cover a large percentage of the average person's and small business's legal needs in a given year.

Pre-Paid Legal Plans are simply a way of organising and financing the delivery of legal services to bring those services to people in a way they are accustomed to receiving and paying for other services. The most obvious parallel is the medical benefits delivery system, which is based to a large extent, on the availability of insurance to cover the cost of service.

Pre-Paid Legal plans provides access to services such as legal advice, information by phone, office consultations, preparation and review of legal documents and contracts, trial representation, property advice and settlement, negotiation and mediation services, free Wills, a 24 hr legal emergency service and much more, through a network of Legal Service Providers, carefully selected to provide such services.

For what reasons should I contact a Pre-Paid Legal Service representative.

We're here to help you! Please call us if you:
- Have a question about how to use your benefits
- Have not received your membership kit or other membership information in the mail
- Change your address or phone number
- Want to change how you pay for your membership
- Need to add or remove a person from your membership
- Need to add a child to your membership
- Need a new membership card or contract
- Need an additional Will Questionnaire
- Change banks or account details
- Get married
- Get divorced

Who can use the plan?

The plan covers:
• The employee and spouse
• Their never-married children up to age 21 living at home
• Any unmarried dependent children of the named member or spouse under 23 years of age who are full-time college students. (Age limit for full-time college student does not apply in the state of Washington)
• Never-married children living at home to age 18 for whom the employee is legal guardian and
• Any dependent child, regardless of age, who is mentally or physically disabled.

How does a participant access an attorney?

Members are served by a Provider Law Firm which has been carefully screened and selected by Pre-Paid Legal. To use the plan, members simply call their Provider Law Firm directly at the toll-free number on their membership card when they have a legal question or problem. It's really that simple. Pre-Paid Legal does all the work: No flipping through a yellow-page style catalog for a qualified lawyer; no claim forms, no worries about being able to afford a lawyer--just peace of mind.

Standard Family Plan

$17/month
(+10 enrollment fee charged with the first month of membership fee)

Expanded Family Plan

$26/month
(+10 enrollment fee charged with the first month of membership fee)

Business Plan

$75/month 1-50 Employees
$125/month 51-99 Employees
(+10 enrollment fee charged with the first month of membership fee)

The business plan is available to for-profit businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Companies with publicly traded stock are excluded.