Benefits Plans - Legal services Plan

The Legal Services Plan is administered by Hyatt Legal Services. You pay a low monthly fee through after-tax payroll deductions. Then, when you need help with a personal legal matter, you call Hyatt’s toll-free number (1-800-821-6400) or go online to www.legalplans.com to identify an attorney in private practice in your area who participates with Hyatt. Your plan attorney will maintain strict confidentiality.

Low-Cost Help with a Variety of Legal Matters

For the cost of your monthly premium, you can receive professional legal assistance with matters like these:

  • Wills and estate planning, including living wills, powers of attorney, trusts and codicils (updates to wills). (Please note that simple will preparation services are available to U-M faculty and staff members enrolled in the U-M Optional Life Insurance Plan through MetLife.)

  • Real estate matters, including eviction defense; problems with your landlord; and buying, selling or refinancing your home.

  • Family law matters, including name change, uncontested adoption and guardianship. (Note that the plan covers advice about divorce but does not cover representation in a divorce case.)

  • Debt defense (problems with creditors). 

  • Defense of civil lawsuits.

  • Document preparation, including deeds, demand letters, promissory notes and mortgages.

One of the most valuable features of the Group Legal Services plan is that it covers telephone advice and office consultations. So, even if you are not sure you need legal representation, or if you need guidance with a legal matter not covered by the plan, your legal plan covers the initial consultation at no cost to you.

If you need representation on a matter not covered by the plan, your Hyatt Plan attorney will give you a written fee agreement in advance. That means you’ll know from the start what those services will cost you.

Coverage Exception

You cannot use legal plan services to file a lawsuit against the University of Michigan.

For More Information

For additional information, call Hyatt Legal Services directly at 1-800-821-6400. The Hyatt Web address is http://www.legalplans.com/. To access University of Michigan legal plan information:

  1. Go to http://www.legalplans.com
  2. Under Employees/Members on the Hyatt Legal Services home page, click "enter here"
  3. Click "Thinking of Enrolling?" on the next page
  4. Enter the access code 2100010 for "member only" or 2110010 for "member plus one"
Limitations
The University of Michigan in its sole discretion may modify, amend, or terminate the benefits provided with respect to any individual receiving benefits, including active employees, retirees, and their dependents. Although the university has elected to provide these benefits this year, no individual has a vested right to any of the benefits provided. Nothing in these materials gives any individual the right to continued benefits beyond the time the university modifies, amends, or terminates the benefit. Anyone seeking or accepting any of the benefits provided will be deemed to have accepted the terms of the benefits programs and the university's right to modify, amend or terminate them.