When you signed up for your legal insurance plan through your employer or organization, you may have thought to add your spouse (if you have one), but you might not have realized how important it is to add your children. But having your kids on your legal plan can save you thousands of dollars and bring you priceless peace of mind. Learn five reasons why you should definitely list your children on your legal insurance policy.
Just a note: a Texas Legal family plan includes you, the policy holder, your spouse and any dependents up to age 26. So, “kids” doesn’t just include those who still have to ride in the backseat, but young drivers, college students and even young adults in the workforce!
Estate Planning for Young Adults With Your Legal Plan
You might think of estate planning as something for old people, or at least people with something to protect – a house, a car, and kids of their own. But estate planning is about more than assets – it’s about legal and medical issues too. Texas Legal attorney Liesel Rickhoff explains.
“Once your child turns eighteen, your rights as a parent cease. This means you do not have the right to go the bank for them, consult with their doctors, or speak with their school regarding grades and financial matters,” writes Rickhoff. “It means you are no longer able to make decisions or respond when legal issues or emergencies arise.”
Adding medical and durable power of attorney, as well as a living will or advanced directive, will give you the legal documents you need in case something unexpected happens to your child.
Be Prepared for Juvenile Court and Criminal Law With Your Legal Plan
If you’ve got teens, you know – trouble is always on the horizon. While we hope that your child will never end up in a legal situation with law enforcement, mistakes do happen. If your child is arrested or charged with a crime, it’s crucial that you call a lawyer, notes Texas Legal criminal law attorney Will Mitchell. Without one, you’re likely to make mistakes that could cost your child their future and their freedom.
“I get them out of jail, then into the office and figure out what’s going on,” says Mitchell. “I know what procedures are necessary, will make sure that court appearances aren’t missed and know what to do before your court date to help you in court. Unless the parents are lawyers themselves, they’re not going to go through any of that.”
A criminal lawyer isn’t just necessary, whether you’re dealing with juvenile court or adult court (in Texas, 17 year olds are charged as adults), but expensive too. That’s where your legal plan can save you a lot of money.
“Lawyers aren’t cheap you’re going to have to have a lawyers. The court system is not cheap, and it’s going to cost you a lot of money,” notes Mitchell.
Prevent Child Identity Theft with Your Legal Plan
Imagine your child applying to college or that perfect first job and being turned down – not because they’re not qualified – but because their social security number was flagged with overdue loans and credit card debt, or already being used by someone who stole it so they could get employment. Child identity theft is extremely common, and it could be years before you discover it, leaving the identity thief nearly two decades to wreak havoc on your child’s future.
Texas Legal members have identity theft coverage and protection through AllClearID, which includes ChildScan, a special identity theft search for your child’s social security numbers or other data being used fraudulently. Another great reason to add your kids to your legal plan.
Deal with Landlord and Tenant Issues With Your Legal Plan
If you’re sending kids off to college or helping them navigate those first few years in the real world, you may be helping them pay the rent on that first apartment. Issues with landlords are incredibly common, and having a legal plan and a lawyer on your side can save you money if something happens. Texas Legal’s legal insurance plans cover landlord and tenant issues, saving you money and time if an issue arises.
Preparing for the Unexpected
Part of any insurance policy is being prepared for the unknown. Most people having a legal issue would probably not have guessed they’d ever be in that situation. Having your kids on your legal plan gives you the peace of mind that if a legal issue arises, your children will be covered. Best of all, it’s probably free or inexpensive. If you already have a legal plan that includes your spouse, you can add any dependent under the age of 26 for free. If you only have an individual plan, upgrading to a family plan is inexpensive – between $5 and $14 a month, depending on what plan you have.
If you’d like to add your kids to your legal plan, or check if they’re listed on your policy, you can call our customer service hotline at 1-800-252-9346 or email us at members@texaslegal.org.