Debt Settlement Legal Plan

On occasion, creditors will ignore the attempted settlement process and take legal action against a debt settlement client in an attempt to collect on a debt. The current Debt Settlement service model is not set up to provide direct, individual legal representation for each client that becomes subject to legal action. The result is often a dissatisfied client and ultimately client cancellation, which negatively impacts all parties involved. Legal Care Direct has a solution for Debt Settlement companies.

Legal Care Direct™ is a nationwide discount legal referral service that has contracted with thousands of attorneys in all 50 states to provide its members with free & discounted legal care.

By seamlessly embedding the LCD legal plan in to your current Debt Settlement program you clients will have unlimited access to a network attorney in their home state whom is capable of representing them in defense of claims against their creditors.

The addition of this new legal service benefit is a significant enhancement to the overall Debt Settlement service in that it provides a comprehensive legal solution for clients that become subject to a summons or participation in an Arbitration Forum.

THE LCD DIFFERENCE

Debt Settlement Specific Attorney Network
We have the only network located in all 50 states specifically dedicated to servicing Debt Settlement members at significant discounts.

Quality Control
Our DS network understands the existing relationship between LCD and our DS partners. They understand that the referrals sent to them are clients of our DS partners, that no disparaging remarks are to be made and that our goal is to assist the member in completing their debt settlement program.

No Rush to Bankruptcy
Our attorneys will avoid bankruptcy, if it is in the best interest of the client to do so, and will work with the client’s creditors to further existing negotiations.

Help DS Companies Avoid UPL
A referral to one our network attorneys will help DS companies avoid the unlicensed practice of law. Free consultations and local representation will greatly enhance the client’s perception of the overall DS process and mitigate any risk to the DS company.

Great Retention Tool
Clients are much more likely to remain clients if their DS company is part of the solution. If the client must leave the DS company and hire outside counsel, there is a high likelihood that the client will terminate their relationship with them and seek alternatives.

Attorney Provided Benefits

Free Legal Services:*

The following services are available at no charge from a plan attorney.

• Initial phone consultation for each new legal matter (no time limit)
• Initial face-to-face consultation for each new legal matter (no time limit)
• Review of independent legal documents (6 page maximum per document, no limit to the number of new independent documents)
• Plan attorneys will prepare a free Simple Will for client and their family, as well as update the Will annually for free
• A state specific, web based, free Living Will form is available to members. This form can be notarized by a Notary Public.
• Plan attorneys will help clients represent them-selves in small claims court
• Assistance in solving problems with government programs, such as INS and Welfare
• When deemed appropriate your plan attorney will write initial letters on your behalf (one letter per legal matter, with no limit on the number of new legal matters)
• When deemed appropriate your plan attorney will make initial phone calls on your behalf (one call per legal matter, with no limit on the number of new legal matters)

Deeply Discounted Legal Services:**

The following are commonly used legal services for which plan attorneys have agreed to charge a one-time, deeply discounted fee.

Reduced Hourly Rate:

Plan attorneys will either charge $125.00 per hour, or when appropriate, give members a 40% discount off their usual and customary hourly rate for all extended legal care. That is a huge savings when compared to the national average of $221.00 per hour for extended legal care.

Retainers:

In the case of extended legal care, plan attorneys may ask you for a retainer. Any retainer sought will be computed by multiplying the number of hours a plan attorney believes a case will take, by the appropriate discounted hourly plan rate.

Contingency Fee Discounts:

The contingency fee discount will be a 10% reduction of the state maximum rate or the attorney's usual rate, whichever is lower.

* In many states Attorney liability may require Plan Attorneys to obtain a retainer from the member prior to providing some of the free member benefits. (see definition above)

**The fees listed above do not include additional filing fees, costs, or administrative expenses. They are only for legal services rendered.