Legal issues can arise at any time, and the cost of hiring an attorney often deters people from seeking the advice and assistance they need. This is where the Hyatt Legal Plan (now known as MetLife Legal Plans) comes in. It offers a comprehensive solution to legal challenges without the high costs that typically accompany legal services. For a modest monthly fee, plan members gain access to a network of attorneys who provide advice, document preparation, and representation for a wide range of legal matters.
In this post, we'll explore how the Hyatt Legal Plan works, what it covers, and why it's the secret to affordable legal help for individuals and families.
The Hyatt Legal Plan is typically offered as part of an employee benefits package, giving employees access to legal services at a fraction of the cost they would normally pay. Once you enroll in the plan, you pay a flat monthly fee—usually between $10 and $30—and gain access to a network of over 14,000 attorneys across the United States.
This means you can seek legal advice whenever a need arises, without worrying about high hourly attorney fees or the unpredictability of legal costs. The plan covers consultations, document preparation, and representation for a wide range of legal issues, from routine matters like drafting a will to more complex situations such as legal defense or estate planning.
There are several factors that make the Hyatt Legal Plan an affordable alternative to traditional legal services:
Unlike traditional legal services where you may be billed by the hour, the Hyatt Legal Plan charges a flat monthly fee. This fee remains the same regardless of how many times you use the service within a given month. For example, you could seek legal advice multiple times in a single month—perhaps for a family law issue, real estate transaction, and traffic ticket—and still pay the same fixed fee.
This structure eliminates the unpredictability of legal costs and ensures you can access legal services without hesitation. If you've ever been reluctant to consult an attorney due to concerns about fees, the Hyatt Legal Plan removes that barrier.
One of the most daunting aspects of seeking legal help is the hourly rates charged by attorneys. These fees can quickly add up, even for minor legal issues. The Hyatt Legal Plan removes this concern by covering attorney fees for all covered legal services. Whether you need a single consultation or multiple appointments with your attorney, you won't have to worry about being billed by the hour.
This is particularly beneficial for legal matters that require ongoing attention, such as family law cases, estate planning, or civil litigation. Without the pressure of mounting legal bills, you can focus on resolving your legal issue without unnecessary financial stress.
The Hyatt Legal Plan provides coverage for a broad spectrum of legal services, which means you won't need to hire multiple attorneys for different issues. The plan covers:
By covering such a wide range of services, the Hyatt Legal Plan acts as a one-stop shop for most legal needs, offering significant savings compared to hiring different attorneys for each matter.
One of the most underrated aspects of the Hyatt Legal Plan is its ability to help members prevent legal issues before they arise. Often, people don't consult an attorney until they're facing a serious problem, but many legal disputes can be avoided with proper guidance early on. Here's how the plan helps you stay proactive:
Document Reviews: Whether it's a contract for a new job or a rental agreement for an apartment, the Hyatt Legal Plan allows you to have legal documents reviewed by an attorney before signing. This ensures that your rights are protected and that you fully understand the terms of any agreement you're entering.
Legal Advice on Everyday Matters: The plan gives you access to legal advice for everyday matters, such as creating a will, purchasing a home, or handling a minor dispute with a neighbor. By getting legal advice early, you can avoid costly mistakes or conflicts down the road.
Access to Legal Forms: Many legal documents, such as living wills or powers of attorney, can be prepared without the need for a formal court process. The Hyatt Legal Plan provides access to legal forms and guidance on how to complete them correctly, saving you time and money.
Being proactive with your legal needs not only helps you avoid future problems but also provides peace of mind. You know that you have the proper legal protections in place, whether it's through a will, trust, or properly executed contract.
The Hyatt Legal Plan is designed to benefit a wide range of individuals and families. Here are just a few examples of who might find the plan especially valuable:
For families, legal needs can arise frequently. From setting up a will to navigating child custody issues, there are many situations where legal help is essential. The Hyatt Legal Plan covers many of these family-related matters, making it an affordable way to ensure your family's legal protections are in place.
Whether you're buying your first home or dealing with a landlord dispute, real estate transactions and tenancy issues often require legal assistance. With the Hyatt Legal Plan, you have access to attorneys who can review contracts, address title issues, and even represent you in landlord-tenant disputes.
Small business owners face unique legal challenges, from drafting contracts to defending against civil lawsuits. The Hyatt Legal Plan offers a cost-effective way for small business owners to address their legal needs without the high costs associated with hiring private attorneys.
Major life changes, such as getting married, having children, or retiring, often require legal planning. The Hyatt Legal Plan provides the resources to ensure that your legal documents are up-to-date and your rights are protected during these transitions.
Using the Hyatt Legal Plan is straightforward. Once you've enrolled, you can access legal services in just a few simple steps:
Find an Attorney: You can search for attorneys in your area through the Hyatt Legal Plan's online portal. The portal allows you to filter attorneys by location, legal specialty, and user reviews, ensuring you find the right fit for your legal matter.
Schedule a Consultation: Once you've chosen an attorney, you can schedule a consultation to discuss your legal needs. The consultation is covered by the plan, so there's no need to worry about upfront costs.
Receive Legal Services: After the consultation, your attorney will provide the necessary legal services, whether it's drafting a document, representing you in court, or offering ongoing legal advice.
The process is simple and efficient, making it easy to get the legal help you need without the hassle of traditional legal services.
Let's take a look at a few real-world examples of how the Hyatt Legal Plan provides affordable legal help:
Sarah and Mike recently welcomed their first child and realized they needed to update their estate plans. They used the Hyatt Legal Plan to consult with an estate planning attorney, who helped them draft a new will, set up a trust for their child, and create powers of attorney. Without the plan, these services would have cost several hundred dollars, but with the Hyatt Legal Plan, they were able to complete the entire process for just their monthly fee.
John, a small business owner, was sued by a customer over a contract dispute. Rather than paying thousands of dollars in legal fees, John used the Hyatt Legal Plan to get legal representation. His attorney was able to negotiate a settlement, and John's business avoided costly court fees and legal bills.
Maria received a traffic ticket for running a red light, but she believed the traffic light was malfunctioning. Using the Hyatt Legal Plan, she consulted with an attorney who helped her contest the ticket in court. The ticket was ultimately dismissed, saving Maria from paying the fine and higher insurance premiums.
The Hyatt Legal Plan makes legal services accessible and affordable, providing a valuable resource for individuals and families who need legal help but want to avoid the high costs of traditional legal services.