Legal assistance can be costly and stressful. That’s why the union negotiated a Legal Services Plan, providing trusted legal help exclusively for UFT members.
Lawyers from the national law office of Feldman, Kramer & Monaco, P.C., will assist in-service members with everyday issues such as reviewing a lease or contract, dealing with a warranty or writing a legal letter.
There is a fee, at a discounted rate for UFT members, for more complex legal matters.
Coverage
In-service UFT members are automatically enrolled in the plan. Its benefits extend to spouses, domestic partners and children under age 19 (or under age 25 if the child is a full-time student).
Retired UFT members have access to the Retiree Legal Plan with an Elder Law Supplement. Learn more about retiree legal benefits.
To access the UFT Legal Services Plan, UFT members can call 212-331-6325.
Free legal services under the Legal Services Plan include:
- Telephone advice and consultation. Participants have access to unlimited telephone consultations and advice.
- Office consultations. Two office consultations per calendar year concerning any new legal matter.
- Letter writing. Plan attorneys will write legal letters up to a certain number of pages. In matters such as consumer protection and credit resolution, a telephone or video call from an attorney is often the ideal solution.
- Document review. Plan attorneys will review documents such as car leases, promissory notes, retail sales agreements and other contracts or legal documents of up to 10 pages per document.
- Wills, power of attorney, health care proxy. Participants are entitled to the preparation of a last will and testament, power of attorney, health care proxy and living will annually with no additional charge. Minors’ trusts are incorporated into your last will and testament, when appropriate, at no additional cost.
- Special needs trusts. If you have a dependent with special needs, a special needs trust or supplemental needs trust can be incorporated into your last will and testament.
- Residential-lease review. The firm will review a covered individual’s lease or proposed lease for their primary residence. It will offer advice about changes to the lease and answer questions about the lease.*
- Personal injury fee reduction. If you or an immediate family member is injured in any type of accident, call the Legal Plan immediately. The firm will determine the viability of a personal injury lawsuit. The plan can save participants thousands of dollars due to a reduced contingency fee. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.
- Identity theft. Plan attorneys can help you avoid becoming an identity theft victim and reclaim your identity if you are a victim.
- Bankruptcy. Plan attorneys can offer advice on alternatives to declaring bankruptcy, such as a creditor workout, in situations of overwhelming debt. Where appropriate, the plan attorney may contact the creditor(s) involved to discuss favorable alternatives to ever-mounting debt or collection litigation.
Discounted legal services
Many other legal services are provided at a reduced fee. These include:
- Representation and advice regarding elder law matters, either by the law firm itself or by a referral attorney.
- More complex trusts.
- Legal representation in a divorce.
- A closing for a house or co-op.
* Residential-lease reviews are limited to a certain number of pages.