During this constantly evolving situation, presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to assure you that Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services is fully operational and well positioned to navigate this challenge and will continue providing the services you have come to count on from us. We are available by phone or email.

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stockfresh_479551_house-in-hand_sizeS-300x200It is exciting to purchase that first house. The buyers can move out of cramped apartments and into larger spaces with a yard. The new owners can put down roots and even start a family. The house is a sign of financial wellness, but caveat emptor (let the buyer beware!) is sensible advice. Too many first-time buyers will pay a premium for what they do not know.

 

Financing Is Tricky

 

A conventional bank loan is straightforward, but FHA financing requires inspections and a fair amount of paperwork. The size of the down payment will affect the monthly house bill for years to come. Continue reading

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stockfresh_548333_people-standing-around-of-money-isolated-3d-image_sizeS-300x225Remote working is the new normal for thousands of people. They are working from home and are enjoying the change of scenery. Management likes the results. Studies are showing increases in efficiency and productivity caused by working from a distance. This is a workplace condition that will not end with the pandemic. The challenge will be how to improve on those benefits. Employers can do that with the right employee benefits.

Reducing Anxiety

Change produces benefits, but remote workers sometimes feel anxiety because they are not in the office. Those informal communication networks are gone, and it is not easy to get useful information. A big concern for many employees is personal finances. Management can lower employee stress by offering a financial wellness employee benefit.

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lastwilltestament-300x200Family security should be there long after you are gone. Finances are a significant issue, and immediate access to an estate is essential. That economic priority is why group legal plans offer a chance to have a simple will drafted.

You Can Avoid the Estate Chaos

A simple will is no more than six pages long and having one is a mighty benefit for your loved ones. A will does more than distribute the money and furniture. A will can stipulate who will take care of your small children and the charities that will get a donation from your estate. This will make distribution faster and beneficiary debts like college tuition can be paid right away. Continue reading

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stockfresh_7501032_man-squeezed-between-laptop-and-rock-student-loan-debt-concept_sizeS-300x279COVID-19 has been rough on personal finances. All levels of government stepped up to help and their efforts did ease the burden. Support included stimulus checks, interest-free forbearance on federal college loans, and moratoriums on evictions. It has been great, but there is a catch: all of this will end soon.

Headaches on the Horizon

Those interest-free forbearances will stop, and the eviction holidays will be over. We know this was going to happen eventually. Unfortunately, many forgot to plan. Continue reading

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fine-print-200x300Society has an orderly process that legal documents help manage. Leases, warranties, and licenses are all papers that guide daily living. Trouble can arise when documents are misunderstood. Many group legal plans provide services for reviewing legal documents. It is an essential pre-paid legal services benefit for many reasons.

Spotting Invalid Papers

Some landlords want to avoid having to pay legal fees. Instead of paying a lawyer to draft a lease, these property owners will use a copy of an existing lease. The problem is that it may be an out-of-state document that is invalid. The lease might also insist the signer waive certain rights that the state guarantees (E. G. Arbitration clauses that are inconsistent with the state’s tenant/landlord laws). An experienced lawyer will quickly discover such issues by doing a legal document review. Continue reading

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01the-importance-of-a-comprehensive-legal-plan-article-4102-thumb-320x210-86253-thumb-320x210-86254-300x213There are consequences for living from paycheck to paycheck. Emergencies arise when a person has no reserves to meet the crisis. Student loan debt can appear, and those monthly payments are required. An individual can get out of trouble if he or she knows what to do.

Young employees lived on Ramen noodles and an allowance during college years. Sizable paychecks are generous and credit cards are easy to get. It does not take too long before that new worker struggles with significant credit card debts and has trouble making the monthly payments. Continue reading

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stockfresh_2553181_consumer-protection-concept_sizeS-300x219Warranties help people with repair costs. These expenses can be significant if the damaged product is a washing machine or automobile. Many will purchase more when they buy a big-ticket item to help pay for repair costs.

Things might be going wrong with that major Christmas present. The buyer may be having some trouble understanding the warranty. Group legal plans will sometimes have a benefit option that includes warranty help. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services offers that kind of assistance.

Read the Warranty! Continue reading

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stockfresh_3433722_man-and-woman-signing-contract-paper_sizeS-e1578694746271-300x183People will sometimes think that legal services are all about jury trials. Although courtroom dramas are entertaining, most legal work is not performed in the courtroom. Instead, it is the processing of paperwork and the advice which is given by skilled professionals.

 

Paper abounds in the legal world. Titles deeds, wills, and notifications are significant. Group legal plans give services that might appear minor but have a considerable impact. It is indeed the small things that count in any group legal plan benefits. Continue reading

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stockfresh_4665102_student-loan_sizeS-300x300There is a lot of positive chatter about student debt loan forgiveness these days. Some are predicting as much as $50,000 per student and everyone is eagerly awaiting more news. We hope things happen that will benefit students; they deserve a break! However, we remain a little skeptical. Politicians often promise too much and deliver too little.

Employers often help financially beleaguered employees. They offer tuition reimbursement and those employees who are still in school much appreciate that. This generosity does not impact existing debt. An organization can add to its help by offering a financial wellness plan. This is a form of pre-paid assistance that does not have to cost the employer anything. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services has one of the best programs in the industry. Our financial wellness options include help with college debt. Continue reading

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stockfresh_2662466_last-will-and-testament-concept-of-estate-planning_sizeS_124228-300x196Employees have a bucket list of resolutions they want to achieve. Many objectives are matters which have been delayed, and now people are intent on getting stuff done. Financial planning is an important topic of the annual to-do list.

Financial planners have many ideas and suggestions their clients can use. Retirement is something employees over 40 are concerned about. Professionals recommend part of a retirement plan should be drafting a will, something many group legal plans are glad to do. Employers help an individual prepare for those golden years by offering a group legal plan. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services provides this benefit, and it includes a simple will option.

Avoiding Probate Hell

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