All adoptions not contested by the government and step-parents are fully covered for the participant and his/her spouse or other eligible adult. If an adoption is contested, the member, spouse or other eligible adult must pay the additional legal fees. Each member`s personal legal document is verified by a plan lawyer. Legal assistance for driving and traffic problems – Provides examples of situations for which you can get legal help. If you or your dependents are involved in a dispute with another eligible plan member or that member`s dependents, MetLife Legal Plans will arrange legal representation with independent and separate legal counsel for both parties. This service covers the participant for all pleadings and court hearings necessary for a legal name change. The U-M Legal Services Plan, administered by MetLife Legal Plans, provides you with professional legal assistance in a range of issues for a low monthly cost. The plan provides access to a network of participating lawyers in private practice to assist you with your personal and confidential legal matters. If you need legal help with a family will and estate planning, or services that require you and your spouse or other eligible adult to sign legal documents, such as real estate, you must register at the “You + Adult” level for these services to be fully paid for by the plan. Planning lawyers will refuse to provide services if the case is manifestly unfounded, frivolous or with the intent to harass another person. If you are denied coverage, you can appeal.

For more information, see Denial of coverage and calls. You may not use the Plan Services to bring legal action against the University of Michigan. Why is a legal plan right for me? – FAQ about the U-M Legal Services Plan managed by MetLife. If you are eligible for legal representation from another organization, such as an insurance company or government agency, or if you are eligible for legal services under another legal plan, coverage will not be provided under the U-M Legal Services Plan. However, if you are eligible for legal aid or the services of a lawyer, you will continue to be eligible for benefits under this plan as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Dealing with legal issues – examples of when you need legal help. General information only (we do not give legal advice by phone or e-mail. Please do not fax or email documents. To make an appointment, use the Request an appointment link above): This benefit provides an opportunity to discuss personal legal matters that are not expressly excluded or prohibited with a lawyer.

This is only a brief summary of the legal assistance available to plan members. For more information, see Covered Legal Services. If you have a complaint about the legal services you received or the conduct of a lawyer, call MetLife Legal Plans at (800) 821-6400. Your complaint will be reviewed and you will receive a response within two business days of your call. All services provided by lawyers under the Plan are subject to the rules of conduct established by the courts for lawyers. The lawyer will abide by the rules of the plan and will not receive any further instruction, instruction or interference from others associated with the plan. During the consultation, the lawyer explains the rights of the participant, indicates his possibilities and, if necessary, recommends a course of action. The plan lawyer will identify all other coverage available under the plan and provide representation if the member so wishes.

You may not use the Legal Plan Services to bring legal action against the University of Michigan. If your registration occurs outside the annual open enrollment period because you are newly eligible, the plan requires you to remain enrolled for the remainder of the calendar year in which you originally registered. The lawyer`s obligations apply exclusively to you and the lawyer`s relationship is exclusively with you. MetLife Legal Plans, or the law firm providing services under the Plan, is responsible for all services provided by its lawyers. You should understand that the plan assumes no responsibility for the conduct of a plan lawyer. Student Legal Services is open and available to answer your legal questions. We make appointments with clients via Zoom. For appointment requests, please use our Appointment Request link by clicking here. We are currently receiving a high number of appointment requests and will respond in the order in which requests are received. We will respond during normal business hours as soon as we are able to do so.

Thank you for your patience. If MetLife Legal Plans or a plan lawyer denies you coverage, you can appeal by sending a letter to: You can continue coverage by transferring the plan. To do so, you must contact the MetLife Legal Plans Client Service Centre at (800) 821-6400 within 30 days of your cancellation date and indicate that you wish to transfer the plan. Coverage during the portability period is the same as group coverage: plan design and dependent coverage remain the same. Please note that portability is currently a fixed period of 30 calendar months. There is no restriction on the number of times a participant can use this service per year; However, in the case of an uncovered case, this service is not intended to continue to provide the member with access to a plan lawyer to take charge of his or her own representation. If you are no longer eligible to participate in the plan or if your employment at the University ends, the plan will cover legal fees for covered services that were open and outstanding during the period you were enrolled in the plan. No new business can be initiated once you are no longer eligible. Your use of the Plan and Legal Services is confidential. The regime`s lawyer will keep the traditional lawyer-client relationship strictly confidential.

The university will not be aware of your legal issues or the services you use under the plan. Plan administrators have access to only limited statistical information necessary for the proper administration of the legal services plan. No one will interfere with your lawyer`s independent exercise of professional judgment when representing you. If you are enrolled in the plan at the time of your retirement, coverage will continue throughout your retirement. Call us during our office hours for more information. Legal advice is not provided by phone or email. Your ability to receive legal services under the Plan will terminate if you are no longer a faculty or beneficiary staff member, or if you choose to leave the Plan during future annual open enrollment periods. If you need legal representation in a matter not covered by the plan, your participating lawyer will provide you with a written fee agreement in advance. This means that you know from the beginning what these services will cost you. This service includes the preparation of a will for the participant. The creation of a testamentary trust, with the exception of a simple support trust for minor children, is not covered.

The benefit includes creating codiles or amending wills. It does not include financial or tax planning. For the cost of your monthly premium, you can get professional legal help on issues like these: Legal aid for financial well-being – Learn how legal regimes can have a positive impact on financial well-being. This service includes the establishment of tutorship or tutorship of a person and his or her estate by the member, the member`s spouse or other qualified adult. This includes obtaining temporary guardianship or conservatory if necessary, collecting all necessary medical evidence, preparing documents, and attending the hearing. If the case is disputed, the member, spouse or other qualified adult must pay the additional attorney`s fees. This benefit does not include the representation of the person through whom guardianship or opposition is sought or the procedures relating to the annual accounts once the guardianship or curatorship has been established. This benefit includes the preparation of a living trust for the member.

It does not include financial or tax planning. If representation is covered by the plan, the member will not be billed for the services of the plan`s lawyer. If representation is recommended but not covered by the plan, plan counsel will provide a written statement of fees in advance. The member may choose whether to engage plan counsel at their own expense; seek external advice; or do nothing. You may need legal help for a problem that affects your spouse, another eligible adult or your children. In some cases, you and your loved one may need a lawyer. If it is inappropriate for a lawyer to represent you and your parent, only you have the right to representation by the plan lawyer. Your loved one is not covered by the plan.

The University of Michigan Legal Services Plan allows you and your registered dependents to receive certain personal legal services. The services available are very comprehensive, but there are limitations and other conditions that must be met.