The importance of having a will—to protect loved ones and ensure one’s wishes are carried out—cannot be stressed enough.

This is especially true when there are children under the age of 18 or dependents with special needs. A will allows for guardians to be legally named for one’s children. It also ensures estate distribution according to one’s wishes. Without an executed will, these very important, personal decisions are made by the state.

The NYSUT Member Benefits Trust-endorsed Legal Service Plan provides one Legal Security Package each year of plan enrollment. The package includes forms to create a simple will, durable power of attorney, living will and health care proxy.

The plan provides access to unlimited, toll-free legal advice from plan attorneys, who will make phone calls and write correspondence on the participant’s behalf, at no charge, to resolve legal situations before they become major problems.

In addition, the purchase of this plan includes coupons for free consultations with a plan attorney.

With the Legal Service Plan, participants receive legal assistance with a variety of legal matters. Many other benefits are provided with enrollment in the plan, including plan attorneys located nationwide who charge discounted hourly rates; guaranteed maximum fees on a number of personal legal matters; advice and guidance on identity theft, debt consolidation and mortgage foreclosure; and a legal newsletter covering consumer-oriented issues.

Optional riders providing benefits in the areas of elder law and business protection can be purchased to provide specialized benefits to the plan.

For information, contact NYSUT Member Benefits at (800) 626-8101 or visit www.memberbenefits.nysut.org.

For information about contractual expense reimbursement/endorsement arrangements with providers of endorsed programs, please contact NYSUT Member Benefits or refer to your NYSUT Member Benefits Trust Summary Plan Description. Agency fee payers to NYSUT are eligible to participate in NYSUT Member Benefits-endorsed programs.