It's not often that people think of attorneys as being affordable, but when it comes to real estate, and group legal plans, it is the most affordable way to go.

Despite the fact that group legal plans have been around for years, many people have never heard of them.  Perhaps it’s because they are often used as part of an employee benefit package (i.e. medical, dental, legal).  Still as an individual, anyone can sign up for a legal plan separate from an employee benefit program.  Budget around $20-$30 a month for membership fees.

Most legal plans divide their types of coverage into different areas.  Often, coverage types can vary from state to state.  To use a group legal plan when selling your home, you want to make sure it has two types of coverage:

The first type is telephone consultation.  Use this service to ask questions about the process, or get clarification about filling out disclosure statements.  When one of my clients got their home appraised, they discovered that their four bedroom home had a septic system designed for a three bedroom home.  They called their group legal program, and their attorney was able to help them on two fronts:  First, they learned what their rights were in relation to holding the builder accountable for his mistake.  The attorney explained what the process, time frame and expense would be for them to potentially sue the builder.  Next, the attorney helped them understand how to properly disclose the septic issue to a potential buyer for their home.  Proper disclosure is important when selling your home.  The confidential advice of an attorney can protect you from trouble later on.

The second type of coverage you want to have in a group legal plan, is document review.  This allows you to fax in an offer and have the attorney review it before you sign it.  Most legal plans will limit the documents they will review to a specific number of pages.  If you have a contract that exceeds the page limit, as about paying an extra fee for additional pages.

Here’s a few tips for when using your legal plan:  First, don’t wait for an offer to come in before you enroll.  It will take between 24 hours and 10 days to process your membership, and any offer you receive will likely expire before your membership becomes active.  After your membership is active, put together a list of questions and call the attorney.  The legal office will usually get your information and assign you to an attorney that practices the type of law relating to your question.  The attorney will usually call you back within 24 hours.  (Keep in mind, attorneys don’t work weekends).  If there is a time sensitive issue like an offer that has an expiration date, mention that when you call in.

Many people generate a list of questions for the attorney when filling out the disclosure information required by their state.  While you have the attorney on the phone, ask if there is anything you can do to speed up the process of contacting their office when you receive an offer you want reviewed.  Often, they will assign you a case number ( or keep open the case number you used for your ‘list of questions’ and give you a fax number with instructions so that you are ready to go when an offer comes in.  Remember to include any deadlines or expiration dates on the cover sheet of anything you fax into the attorney’s office.

Learn more about a legal services membership