Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., states the following about their Company:
Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services has been administering legal plans since 1987. We provide our legal plans to companies as an employee benefit. Countrywide also provides legal plans to EAPs, Unions, Associations, Credit Unions, Groups and directly to Individuals. We are dedicated to providing affordable legal services through our attorney network and our customer friendly Membership Services Department.
See http://www.countrywideppls.com/index.html
As of November, 2009, the Company describes the plan it offers to Members as including:
1. Unlimited Telephone Consultation & Advice
You may call your Plan Attorneys toll-free as often as you need. Your Plan Attorneys are there for you with legal advice concerning any personal or family legal problems, no matter how serious they are.1 Usually, a little well-timed advice is all that is needed. Many matters can be resolved by a telephone call.
2. Unlimited Legal Letters & Telephone Calls on Your Behalf
You will be amazed at the positive results that an attorney’s letter or telephone call may have. Your Plan Attorneys will prepare and send letters or make calls on your behalf as necessary.2 A letter or telephone call from your Plan Attorneys can help you get results.
3. Advice on Government Programs
Your Plan Attorneys will provide you and your family with advice in dealing with frustrating city, state and federal agencies, (e.g. Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Department of Motor Vehicles and other government programs) and counsel you on what benefits you are entitled to.
4. Preparation of Wills
Your Will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. If you die without a Will, you won’t get to choose who gets your estate — the State chooses for you. As a member, you and your spouse and dependents are entitled to simple Wills drafted by your Plan Attorneys and annual Will updates as part of your legal service plan at no additional cost.3
5. Review of Contracts & Documents
Every year far too many people sign leases, agreements and contracts without fully understanding what they signed — only to find out later that they made a costly mistake. The best time to receive legal advice is before you sign any document. Forget about ‘fine print’ problems. Your Plan Attorneys will review any legal document up to six pages for each document — leases, rental documents, promissory notes, affidavits, powers of attorney and a variety of other legal documents.
6. Warranty Problems & Consumer Protection Advice
The Plan Attorneys will provide the necessary advice for written or implied warranties or promises related to the lease or purchase of goods and services.
7. Advice on Small Claims Court
If you go to small claims court to settle a grievance, your Plan Attorneys will advise you on how to file a complaint, prepare and present your case.
8. Preparation of Living Wills & Medical Powers of Attorney
As a member, you and your spouse and dependents are entitled to Living Wills and Medical Powers of Attorney. A Living Will permits you to plan ahead for your health care. Your Plan Attorneys will draft a document that spells out in advance what medical treatments you wish to accept or refuse and the circumstances in which you want your wishes implemented.
9. Face-to-Face Consultations
Your membership entitles you to consult with an attorney in person. You will receive three free half hour face-to-face consultations per membership year with a participating attorney.4 A prior appointment is necessary.
10. Identity Theft Prevention and Assistance
If you have been a victim or want to know how to prevent identity theft, the Plan will assist you through the first critical steps in identity theft issues. The Plan will help you understand what identity theft is, how to avoid it and the steps to be taken to prevent further loss if victimized. If you feel that identity theft has been committed against you, the Plan can provide you with the information you need to help restore your identity.
11. Legal Referral Network
If you have a problem outside your state, you will be referred to an attorney in our Countrywide network who specializes in a particular legal area.
12. Guaranteed Reduced Rates on Other Legal Matters
If a situation can’t be adequately handled by phone or by third party letters or personal consultations, you will be referred to a panel attorney at special member rates. You will receive a twenty five percent (25%) discount on hourly and scheduled rates from the participating panel of attorneys. Contingency fee cases (e.g. personal injury) are provided at a ten percent (10%) discount from the standard contingency percentages. We have received a fee schedule from each network firm so members are assured of reduced fees.
1. In Virginia, consultations with your attorney, at no charge, are limited to three phone calls per month on each of no more than four legal matters.
2. To comply with state regulations, Arkansas, Indiana, Nebraska and Virginia residents must pay $5.00 for each letter or phone call made on their behalf. New York residents are limited to three letters or phone calls a year, no more than two of which may be related to one matter.
3. In New York, members and spouses are each entitled to one free will and annual updates of that will. Arkansas, Nebraska and Virginia residents are charged $15.00 for this service.
4. In Virginia, face-to-face consultations with your attorney, at no charge, are limited to four legal matters per month.
Note: This Legal Plan is not insurance. Professional, business or investment related activities along with fines, court costs, penalties, disbursements and other related expenses are not covered under this plan. Certain other exceptional matters, such as matters between people, groups, employer-employee or employers associated with the legal plan, appeals, class actions and repetitious matters where circumstances have not substantially changed, are also not covered. Please refer to your Certificate of Coverage for specific coverage and exclusions. The information on this web site is for illustrative purposes only. The Plan is subject to all state and local approvals, rulings, filings, regulations, etc.
