Take a closer look at the state’s legal plan

No one plans for a legal issue to disrupt their lives, yet three out of four Americans find themselves dealing with a legal event each year. You shouldn’t have to face the headaches, lost time and expensive fees that come with tackling these legal challenges on your own.

That’s why the State of California continues to offer its employees an affordable and reliable Group Legal Services Plan from ARAG®. For more than 20 years, ARAG has assisted more than 43,000 State employees and retirees in protecting their families, finances and futures from tough legal and financial situations like personal bankruptcy, foreclosure, identity theft, buying and selling a home and more.

Avoid Costly Legal Expenses

It’s understandable that when people think of a legal need, they usually focus on the negative events in life. But even positive events such as having a child, buying a home or getting married can be stressful due to costly legal expenses. Yet only one in four Americans has a plan to pay for legal expenses that occur.3 And with attorney rates now averaging $308 per hour,2 even minor legal issues can result in major financial setbacks.

Powerful Solutions at an Affordable Price

For as low as $9.84 per month, you can enroll in the State’s Legal Plan that offers you a variety of services to address your everyday legal needs, including:

* Online access to resources: You have access to a library of legal resources, Guidebooks and videos, as well as DIY Docs® to create legally-valid documents online.

* Via telephone: You can call Network Attorneys whenever you need advice and guidance on virtually any personal legal matter. Plus, you also have access to Certified Identity Theft Case Managers.

* In-person consultation and representation: You have access to professional attorneys whom can consult with you and represent you in court – plus, attorney fees are 100% paid-in-full for most covered legal matters when you work with a Network Attorney.

To see a complete list of services and coverages, visit ARAGLegalCenter.com and enter Access Code 10202soc.

Take Control – Enroll in the State’s Legal Plan

Enrollment is easy. Simply complete and return the State’s Legal Plan Enrollment Form and return it to your department’s Personnel Office during the annual open enrollment period March 1 – April 30, 2013.

Questions about the State’s Legal Plan?

Call ARAG’s CustomerCareCenter toll-free at 866-762-0972 (800-383-4184 for TTY or 711 to reach a relay operator) Monday – Friday, 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, or visit the ARAGLegalCenter at ARAGLegalCenter.com and enter Access Code 10202soc.

1 “Measuring the Effects of Employee Financial and Legal Woes,” a national study conducted by Russell Research and commissioned by ARAG, March 2012.

2 Average standard billing rate for attorneys in the State of California is $308 per hour, The Survey of Law Firm Economics: 2012 Edition, Published by The National Law Journal and ALM Legal Intelligence, August, 2012.

3 “Legal Needs of Today’s Multi-Generational Population,” a national study conducted by Russell Research and commissioned by ARAG, March 2012.

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*Ed’s Note: This text was submitted as advertorial as part of an advertising package purchased by ARAG.