Benefit Trust: Pennies from Heaven

Benefit Trust: Pennies from Heaven 

Just When You Need It Most, CCPOA Legal Plan Will Help You Save Money

by Crystal C. Virtue, Esq., Executive Vice President, Caldwell Legal

Back in the 18th century, Ben Franklin coined the phrase, "A penny saved is a penny earned." Those wise words were never truer than they are right now.

The CCPOA Benefit Trust Fund is all about helping you hold on to your hard-earned money. In order to help you weather these tough times, the Trust has made sure you have access to one of the best group legal plans anywhere—the CCPOA Family Legal Plan—administered by Caldwell Legal.

The CCPOA Family Legal Plan is provided automatically to CCPOA members. Think about that. No monthly fee and it's loaded with free and low-cost benefits that will save you money if you take the time to use them. How significant are these savings? Take a look at the following examples.

Free Personal Federal and State Tax Return Preparation. How much did you pay to have your taxes prepared last year? That's money you don't have to spend this year. Just call the Tax Hotline at (800) 924-3091. After you complete and return the tax organizer, their tax professionals will prepare your personal federal and state income tax forms and mail them back to you at no charge. That's good through April 1 of each year and includes all 50 states. They'll even give you some free tax advice, too.

Free Will with a Children's Trust. Even if you are struggling financially, it's vital to your minor children that you have a will prepared naming a guardian for them in the event something happens to you. And if you don't take the time to do it before something happens, the state will name a guardian for you. When have you ever wanted the state to make that kind of decision for you? A will with a children's trust can cost up to $1,000. With the CCPOA Legal Plan, you can get one for free.

Free Uncontested Divorce. You can save thousands of dollars if you have all the details worked out between you and your spouse or domestic partner. Your Caldwell Legal Service Office attorney can prepare dissolution forms free-of-charge when neither party is represented by counsel and all issues are agreed to without the aid of counsel. The filing and/or preparation of documents affecting the division of pensions are referred at a reduced fee. (California residents only.)

Free Unlimited Telephone Consultation, Third-Party Calls, and Letters. Are you having trouble with your landlord or getting a warrant enforced? Do you have questions about credit issues, a contractor doing work on your home, or a Small Claims Court issue? Talk to your Caldwell Legal Service Office attorney about these and many other matters. Your LSO attorney will discuss the legal issues with you and make calls and write letters as needed. For this service, most attorney firms would charge $200, $300, or even $400 an hour. For most people, just consulting with an attorney is so expensive that they can't afford to get the justice they deserve. With the CCPOA Legal Plan, this service is free for members.

Free Mortgage Meltdown Survival Guide and Help with Mortgage Issues. The Caldwell Mortgage Meltdown Survival Guide gives you the big picture, while your Legal Service Office attorney gives you the individual guidance you need to make your way through a mortgage mess. Find out what your options are in this fast moving area of the law. Give us a call before you hand over thousands of dollars to one of those expensive negotiation companies that are popping up everywhere.

Free Contract & Document Review. Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a contract dispute and then realized you misunderstood the terms of the agreement? Problems like this can be huge and hugely expensive, but you can avoid them if you have your LSO attorney explain any confusing contract terms to you. Ten pages each document, simple matters.

Free Advance Health Care Directives HIPPA Release. An Advance Health Care Directive gives you the power to decide ahead of time the type of medical care you want to receive. It allows you to name an agent who will be responsible for making sure your wishes are followed.

The use and disclosure of confidential health information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, better known as HIPPA. A HIPPA Release allows health care professionals to disclose your health care information to your appointed agent. It works well with an Advance Health Care Directive so your agent is allowed access to your health care records when needed to make the most informed choice possible. These important legal documents are now available upon request—both to the member and to his or her spouse or registered domestic partner—free of charge.

There's a lot more to your legal plan and a lot more benefits that are free upon request, including an Identity Theft Guide, Consumer Credit Guide, Caldwell Guide to California Family Law, Archives, and Your Life Records. And there is a reduced fee for revocable living trusts. For more complicated legal matters, you may be referred to a network of attorneys who will assist you for a reduced fee.

"Time is money." More wise words from Ben Franklin. So don't waste a single minute. Call Caldwell Legal at (800) 222-3035, and start saving your money today.

• volume 26 issue 6