Legal woes and questions pop up at any stage in life. They tend to be pricey, complex and cumbersome, and fighting a lawsuit without an attorney to help you can make your situation much worse. Pre-paid legal service companies market themselves as a kind of low-cost insurance for run-ins with the law and major life events that may require legal counsel. If you've signed up for one of these memberships and decide it's not for you, you can cancel through a few different methods.
What's a Pre-Paid Legal Membership?
Pre-paid legal memberships generally all work the same way. You pay in advance for future legal services covering cases like traffic accidents, breach of contract actions, landlord-tenant disputes and divorce. Would-be business owners can also tap into this resource for issues such as contract claims and patents. LegalShield and Hyatt Legal Plans are among the major companies in this industry.
Offered through employers and other outlets, pre-paid legal services tend to highlight affordability as their strongest selling point. They promise quick legal assistance in bulk at a rate the masses can afford. Hiring a private attorney on a case-by-case basis can become very costly, especially if you work in an industry in which lawsuits are frequent, such as construction.
Members who need legal help and who are members of a pre-paid legal plan can typically call a number and be routed to a legal expert for a consultation. Service plans vary. Most basic memberships cover only a couple phone sessions, while pricier packages offer services such as document review, will preparation and consultations for emergencies, such as arrests.
How to Cancel a Pre-Paid Legal Plan Membership
If you're not happy with or no longer need the pre-paid legal service, you can usually cancel your membership at any time by calling a hotline or by email.
LegalShield membership cancellation is simple. If you have a LegalShield plan, simply send an email or letter with your membership number and personal details to [email protected] or LegalShield, P.O. Box 2217, Ada, OK 74820.
With Hyatt Legal plans, your enrollment will typically run the benefit year and can be canceled only during open enrollment. Check with Hyatt Legal to determine when you can cancel your plan.
Some companies accept only written requests for cancellation. Generally, the cancellation request letter should include your membership number, personal information and a sentence stating you'd like to cancel your subscription effective immediately. You may be required to send this information to a support email address or physical address. Specific instructions can be found on your provider's website.
Other pre-paid-legal service providers allow you to cancel through a customer-center hotline. They'll ask you to confirm your membership details before canceling your plan.
If you're enrolled in a pre-paid legal membership through work, coverage is often renewed automatically each year. Chances are, you'll be able to cancel your service only during your company's open enrollment window. If in doubt, call your provider or Human Resources department.
Don't Forget the Cancellation Confirmation
Whether you're calling or writing, always get written confirmation of the cancellation. Refund and cancellation timelines vary by company, so be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions of your plan. A written confirmation of the cancellation can be invaluable if the company ends up charging you for a renewal you never asked for.