Columbus City Schools

Columbus City Schools

Learn How to Enroll in the LegalEASE Plan
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To enroll in the LegalEASE Plan, please visit your online enrollment platform. 

Questions? Contact Us
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We’re here when you need us.

 

Enrollment Questions:

To learn more about LegalEASE and the legal benefits you will get,

   Call: 1(800) 248-9000, reference "Columbus City

                    Schools."

 

   Or message us by clicking here.

 

Member Services:

   Call: 1(888) 416-4313, reference "Columbus City

                    Schools."

 

   Or message us by clicking here.

Welcome

NEW! LegalEASE Attorney Matching Portal

LegalEASE is expanding our online solution options to members. Introducing the newest online self-service portal, LAMP. Now available to access. Learn more 

 

Benefits Proudly Offered to Columbus City Schools' Employees

 

Be fully prepared and confident

 with LegalEASE

Learn about legal benefits, a smart option for your protection.

LegalEASE can help ease the two biggest stresses -finding and paying for an attorney.

Nobody likes to be caught off guard, especially when it comes to legal matters. Life can be complicated. Finding a good attorney doesn’t have to be. With LegalEASE, it’s easy to choose the best attorney, because you get assistance from highly trained and qualified personal specialists who review the details of local attorneys and help you find your best source for legal advice. Being a LegalEASE member saves you time and costly legal fees. But most importantly, it gives you confidence and provides coverage for common legal matters.

With a LegalEASE plan, you get:

  • An attorney with expertise specific to your legal matter
  • Access to a national network of attorneys with exceptional experience that are matched to meet your needs
  • Coverage for in and out-of-network
  • Concierge help finding a better attorney and navigating common individual or family legal issues
  • Hours of financial counseling and coaching

We all make some sort of plan in life. But have you ever considered the possibility of a legal problem?

You've graduated from college and are planning for your future - where to get hired, which company will put you on the path to success. Whether to be single or date or settle down, and with the right person. Legal problems can be unexpected and interrupt your plans. LegalEASE provides coverage for your specific legal matter so you won't be caught off guard.

Protect your family’s future, with LegalEASE.

You work hard to make the right choices for your loved ones, especially when it comes to legal and financial matters. Get the peace of mind you want and the protection you need with a LegalEASE Plan. LegalEASE offers valuable benefits to shield your family and savings from unexpected legal issues.                              

According to the American Bar Association, more than 70 percent of U.S. households will have the need for a lawyer in the next 12 months. And the same study found most consumers feel uncertain about how to tell a good lawyer from a bad one. With LegalEASE you have access to a national network of credentialed attorneys and the help you need to find the best attorney for your legal matter with its concierge service.

Coverage

The Value of a LegalEASE Benefits Plan.

Being a LegalEASE benefits plan member saves you time and costly legal fees. But most importantly, it gives you confidence and provides coverage for:
  • Home and Residential
  • Financial and Money Matters
  • Consumer
  • Auto and Driving
  • Family and Personal 
  • Civil Lawsuits
  • Estate planning and wills

LegalEASE Benefits Plan Coverage

Benefits are designed to meet the typical needs of an employee and their family. There are no deductibles to worry about for covered services. Benefits cover the attorney’s time. Other costs such as filing fees or court costs are not covered. Listed below are the types of matters that are covered by the LegalEASE benefits plan. This plan offers the convenience of in-network and out-of-network benefits. Many of the below areas are fully covered in-network.

Plan Cost

The LegalEASE Plan is $16.09 monthly, via payroll deduction.

Who's Covered? 

The Member’s spouse and Member’s unmarried dependent children, including stepchildren, legally adopted children, children placed in the home for adoption and foster children, up to age 26.

Schedule of Benefits

Advice and Consultation

 LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Telephone Advice

Covered

Not Applicable

Office Consultation

Covered

Not Applicable

Review of Simple Documents 

Covered

Not Applicable

Financial Advisor

 LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Financial Helpline Covered Not Applicable
Online Self Service Document Center

 LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Consumer Documents Covered Not Applicable
Estate Planning Documents Covered Not Applicable
Identity Theft Prevention/Recovery Assistance

 LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Advice and Consultation Covered Not Applicable

Miscellaneous Law Office Services

 LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Covered Miscellaneous Hours

Covered up to 10 hours $595
Discounted Hourly Rate 25% Discount on Attorney's Hourly Rates Not Applicable

Consumer Matters

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Document Preparation:

  • Simple Deed
  • Promissory Note
  • Consumer Dispute Correspondence
  • Installment Sales Agreement
  • Simple Affidavit
  • General Power of Attorney:
    • Member & Covered Family Member
  • Lease Agreement - Tenant only
  • Time Share Agreement

Covered

 

  • $65
  • $55
  • $55
  • $55
  • $55
  • $55
  • $65
  • $55

Consumer Dispute

Covered

$595

Small Claims Court Reprsentation

Covered 

$300

Construction/Renovation/Home Repair Dispute Covered  $895
Mail Order or Internet Purchase Dispute Covered  $300
Bank Fee Dispute Covered  $300
First-time Vehicle Buyer Covered  $300
Vehicle Repair and Lemon Law Litigation Covered  $300

Cell Phone Contract Dispute

  • Contract review up to 25 pages
  • Representation
Covered  $300
Personal Property Protection Covered  $300

Warranty Dispute

  • Warranty review up to 25 pages
  • Representation
Covered  $300

Healthcare Coverage Disputes and Records

  • Office Consultation
  • Document Preparation
  • Document Review
Covered  $300
Identity Theft Defense Covered  $850

 Estate Planning

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Simple Will or Codicil for:

  • Member
  • Spouse
  • Covered Family Member

Covered

$80

Complex Will Covered $310

Living Will

Covered $55

Health Care Power of Attorney

Covered

$55

Durable Power of Attorney For Healthcare Covered $55
Living Trust Document Covered $310

Probate of Small Estate

Covered up to 2 Hours with remainder at 25% discount

$120

Elder Law

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Elder Parent Will Preparation Covered $80
Elder Parent Living Will/Health Care or Advance Directive Covered $55
Elder Parent Durable Financial Power of Attorney Member co-pay $45 per document Not Applicable
Elder Parent Health Care or Medical Power of Attorney Member co-pay $45 per document Not Applicable
Elder Law Matters Covered $425

Residential Matters

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Purchase of Primary Residence

Covered $490

Sale of Primary Residence

Covered $365
Refinancing of Primary Residence Covered $385
First Time Home-Buyer Covered $425
Vacation or Investment Home Sale/Purchase/Refinancing Covered $425
Home Equity Loan Assistance Covered $360
Property Tax Assessment Covered $360
Property Tax Dispute Covered $360

Tenant Dispute

Covered

$1,700

Tenant Security Deposit Dispute Covered $850
Landlord Dispute with Tenant

Pre-litigation: Covered up to 10 hours with remainder at 25% discount

Trial: Covered up to 10 hours with remainder at 25% discount

$595
Security Deposit Dispute with Tenant Covered up to 10 hours with remainder at 25% discount $595
Construction Defect Dispute Covered $425
Neighbor Dispute Covered $765
Noise Reduction Dispute Covered $765
Boundary or Title Dispute Covered $595
Zoning Application Covered $595

Financial Matters

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Debt Collection Defense: Pre-Litigation Defense

Covered

$425

Debt Collection Defense: Trial Defense

Covered

$850

Garnishment Defense Covered $850

Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 or 13)

Covered $935
Foreclosure Covered $680

Tax Audit

Covered

$1,700
Tax Defense Covered $850
Student Loan Refinancing/Collection Defense Covered $420

Family Matters

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Separation, Divorce, Civil Annulment:

  • Uncontested Separation

 

Covered 

$595

  • Consent/Default Divorce

Covered 

$595

  • Uncontested Divorce

Covered 

$595

Contested Divorce

Covered up to 28.5 hours with remainder at 25% discount

$1,700 

Post-Divorce Proceedings Covered up to 28.5 hours with remainder at 25% discount $1,700 
Prenuptial Agreement Covered $680

Name Change

Covered

$255

Guardianship/Conservatorship

Uncontested: Covered

Contested: Covered

$365

$765

Governmental Agency Adoptions

Uncontested: Covered

Contested: Covered

$365

$765

Child Custody/Support Involving Never-Married Parents of a Child Covered up to 28.5 Hours $1,700
Stalking Victim Assistance Covered $595
Protection from Domestic Violence Covered $595

Juvenile Court Proceedings

Covered

$470

School Administrative Proceeding Covered $425
Immigration Assistance Covered up to 10 hours with remainder at 25% discount $595
Civil Litigation

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Civil Litigation Defense Covered $1,700
Incompetency Defense Covered $1,700
Administrative Hearing Representation Covered $1,275
Pet Liabilities (Civil Litigation Defense) Covered $1,700
Discounted Contingency Fees When state laws do not set contingency fee: Maximum of 29% if settled before trial, 36% if trial is conducted, or 40% after an appellate brief is filed. Not Applicable
Defective Product When state laws do not set contingency fee: Maximum of 29% if settled before trial, 36% if trial is conducted, or 40% after an appellate brief is filed. Not Applicable
Medical Malpractice When state laws do not set contingency fee: Maximum of 29% if settled before trial, 36% if trial is conducted, or 40% after an appellate brief is filed. Not Applicable
Personal Injury When state laws do not set contingency fee: Maximum of 29% if settled before trial, 36% if trial is conducted, or 40% after an appellate brief is filed. Not Applicable
Wrongful Death When state laws do not set contingency fee: Maximum of 29% if settled before trial, 36% if trial is conducted, or 40% after an appellate brief is filed. Not Applicable
Mediation 10% discount  Not Applicable

Criminal Defense

LegalEASE Plan Coverage

Participating Attorney

LegalEASE  Coverage

Non-Participating Attorney

Traffic Ticket Covered $215
Serious Traffic Matters (resulting in suspension or revocation of license) Covered $425

Administrative Proceeding (Resulting in Suspension or Revocation of License)

Covered

$255

Misdemeanor Defense

Covered 

$1,700 
DUI/DWI Defense Covered $1,700 
Restraining Order Assistance Covered $425

Limitations Apply.

The policy language listed herein is intended to provide a general overview of a typical LegalEASE policy. Please see your LegalEASE policy for specific coverage amounts and exclusions.

Exclusions

This Legal Services Contract excludes services for the following:

Appellate court proceedings, class actions, interventions, derivative action and amicus curiae filings.
The preparation and filing of individual, partnership or estate tax returns, appellate or administrative proceedings related to tax returns, litigation before the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Claims or any other federal, state or other courts with respect to tax matters.
Matters relating to securities, trademark or patent matters; business or commercial interests, including, but not limited to, professional, partnership and/or corporate matters; matters involving the law or laws of jurisdictions other than the United States and its territories and Canada; any matters involving a government (domestic or foreign) entity or agency except as specifically described under Covered Services; farm related issues; matters involving commercial or rental property transactions, including the purchase, sale or lease of investment or income-producing property. A two-family house, whether or not used by the Member as his or her primary residence, is deemed an investment or income-producing property.
Legal services that are fully paid for or provided at no cost by any governmental agency, organization or insurance company.
Matters that the attorney deems frivolous, spurious, harassing, or unethical (collectively referred to as “frivolous”) or otherwise prohibited by the Model Rules of Professional Conduct of the state in which the attorney is licensed.
Costs associated with covered legal services, including but not limited to, all fines, court costs, penalties, sanctions, expert witness fees, bonds, bail bonds, attorney fees, exhibits, deposition costs, filing fees, transcripts, postage, telephone, photocopying, recording fees, messengers, judgments, jury fees, court reporter fees, investigative costs and all other incidental and out-of-pocket legal and litigation costs.
Any services on behalf of a Covered Family Member against the interests of the Member.
Any employment-related matter. This includes, but is not limited to, any dispute involving the Member’s employer or its affiliates, their officers or directors, the Member’s employee benefit plans, credit unions, programs or arrangements sponsored by an employer, or cases involving workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, sex harassment, age discrimination, etc.
Any dispute or proceeding against the following persons or entities, their officers, directors, employees, or agents: any person or entity involved in the sale, marketing, administration or other processes related to this Legal Services Contract; Legal Plan
Administrator or its subsidiaries; Reimbursement Administrator or its subsidiaries; Contractholder; Member’s employer; Nationwide
Mutual Insurance Company, it’s parents, subsidiaries or any affiliated or successor company, plan underwriter or reinsurer; Plan
Sponsor; or any Participating and/or Non-Participating Attorney, if the dispute or proceeding pertains to services provided under the
Legal Services Contract.
The Legal Services Contract will not provide services in connection with pre-existing matters, which includes any matter where the
Member and/or Covered Family Member is on notice as to a pending legal dispute or has previously contacted an attorney, except when prior coverage under another Legal Plan provided by the Contractholder can be demonstrated.
Where there are specific hours or dollar amounts provide in this Legal Services Contract, or where a maximum is set under the
Managed Case Rules, the Member will be responsible for all attorney fees incurred over the maximum. Additional exclusions related to each service are included in the Covered Services.

Network

About the Network of Attorneys
When going in for surgery, you don’t want a surgeon that has a poor track record or only a couple years experience. We feel that a legal need is just as important.
 
Help Focus Infrastructure
When it comes to finding an attorney, an employee can waste days looking for the right one, even with a legal plan. Our process has a Help Focus Infrastructure. We focus on our relationships with our Providers to help us help your employees, faster. Our Attorney Match Technology and dialogue with attorneys and members ensures the right help the first time. Matching an employee to the right help expedites solutions while saving time and stress.
 
Standards and Qualifications
The credentialing standards that we utilize to vet our providers is the most stringent in the country. We focus on years of experience, as well as insurance and discipline, as well as penalty of perjury submissions with extensive back ground checks.
 
Under the Provider Network, your employees will receive legal help from professionals with many of these service characteristics:
  • Experience in the Legal Matter Needed
  • Quality Time Spent in Consultations
  • Years of Legal Training and Experience
  • Up-to-date Legal Training Each Year
  • Lawyers Who are Service-Oriented
  • Lawyers Who Have a Solid Local Reputation in their Communities
  • Exceptional Backgrounds
  • Years of Courtroom and Trial Experience
Provider Standards of Care
The Network Provider shall strive to provide the highest quality of legal representation and service to Plan Members.
 
Plan Providers agree to the following:
  • To comply at all times with the Rules of Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure and the Rules of Professional Conduct applicable to the jurisdiction.
  • To return member's calls promptly, within one business day, and communicate with members such that a member and the member's family do not voice substantiated concerns over promptness or frequency of your or your firm's communication.
  • To not enter continuances, adjournments, or the like without the member's comfort and consent.
  • To not arrange for substitutions or stand-ins unless the member has been previously advised and that the member understands that you remain responsible for the case and to contact you if there is any concern or if proceedings do not go as planned.
  • To always respect a member, their needs and family.
  • To maintain a professional office, in staffing and appearance.
  • To fully explain yourself such that a member has an understanding for the reasons behind your recommendations and suggestions, even if a member may not hire your firm.
  • To not complete any additional work that will result in a fee to the member, where not covered by the member's plan, until a fee arrangement is fully understood by the member and there is a written agreement.
  • To help each member individually and ensure that everything you do is in the interest of the member.
  • To notify LegalEASE if there is or may be the possibility of a conflict of interest or violation of ethical codes.
  • To notify LegalEASE if there may be a misunderstanding or potential service issue where there may be a complaint without breaking any client confidences.
  • To direct any grievances or concerns, such as process procedure or billing, to Legal Access and not a member.
  • To not refer any member to another attorney without the knowledge and consent of Legal Access if you cannot assist.
  • To take responsibility and uphold the highest standards of customer service delivered by any and all firm staff or employees that have interaction with members.
  • To communicate and cooperate with LegalEASE on any concern, inquiry or issue and return any communication from Legal Access within one business day.

 

 

 

About

We are here to serve you...

 

We believe people deserve to have a sense of safety and security, a peace of mind, when it comes to being protected in legal matters that they may not be the experts in. To have access to legal professionals that can ease and solve their legal burdens. We are here to serve you.

 

How we do it is by providing an in-depth pool of resources to accommodate all your legal needs. Legal Access and LegalEASE have broad experiences with employees in small, medium and large companies in the public and private sectors, local, state and federal government offices, unions, employee assistance plans, work-life companies, and organizations, when it comes to solving your legal matters.

 

What we do is provide value by creating unparalleled access to a network of skilled attorneys to cover your legal needs with options in convenient plans. We are a diversified employee benefits company engaged in administration, network development, technology management and insurance, based in Houston, Texas. Since 1971, we have grown from five attorneys in Los Angeles providing services to a modest amount of companies into a company with the strongest attorney network across America. We provide assistance to members over half of a million times each year throughout the United States and the world.

 

Legal Access Companies consists of several companies and brands to best meet customer needs, including but not limited to: Legal Plans USA, Legal Access Plans, LegalEASE, and LAMG. Legal Access Plans has a wide array of products across several market segements, including worksite, employee assistance and worklife. LegalEASE is the group's primary insurance brand and focuses primarily in the worksite market. LegalEASE products are underwritten and presented by Virginia Surety Company, part of the Warranty Group.