Estate Planning to Protect Your Family and Future
Looking to Get Started on Estate Planning?
Estate planning is vitally important—for you, for your family, your finances and everything you own.
With an estate plan in place, you’re legally protected knowing how your assets will be distributed, how your medical care will be managed, and so much more. MetLife Legal Plans provide access to qualified attorneys who can help you create and manage an estate plan, assisting with tasks like creating a will, creating trusts, and setting up healthcare directives. These attorneys specialize in estate planning law and can offer guidance based on your personal situation and requests.
MetLife proudly supports over 3 MILLION members
Why Choose to Create your Estate Plan with MetLife?
When you or a loved one reaches end-of-life care or passes away, it can be devastatingly sad and distressing, and not the ideal time that anyone should start dealing with the process of estate planning. But this is exactly where planning ahead is immeasurably helpful.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or need to take on specific tasks, a MetLife Legal Plan can help with estate planning in multiple ways, providing you with:
- Access to a network of over 18,000 attorneys averaging over 25 years of experience, and covering a wide breadth of services
- Flexibility to meet with attorneys in-person or over the phone
- Online tools for guided estate planning, with the ability to have documents notarized online in some states
- Easy access to legal document templates, such as affidavits and lease agreements
- Unlimited attorney consultations1 for covered legal matters
- Help for dozens of additional legal matters, from home buying to traffic tickets
Why Estate Planning is important:
Confidence and Peace of Mind:
Knowing your wishes will be respected offers serenity and less stress for you and your family.
Reduced Conflict:
A clear legal plan may help minimize the risk of disputes among heirs.
Asset Protection:
Proper planning can help safeguard your assets and minimize estate taxes.
Assured Care:
A healthcare directive ensures your medical wishes are followed.
Ready to begin? Once you enroll and your coverage starts, you can take the first steps to creating your estate plan using our self-guided digital solution.
What are the Key Components of an Estate Plan?
New to estate planning? No problem. Here’s what an estate plan can include:
- Will: This is a legal document that outlines your wishes for asset distribution and names an executor to manage your estate.
- Trusts: A trust is a legal entity that can hold assets and distribute them according to your specifications.
- Power of Attorney: PoA designates someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so.
- Advance Healthcare Directive: This document specifies your wishes for medical care if you're incapacitated.
Legal Considerations for Estate Planning in Different States
Estate laws vary by state. Here's what to consider:
- Impact of State Laws: Understanding inheritance and estate tax laws in your state is crucial.
- Living in Multiple States: If you reside in or own property in multiple states, additional planning may be necessary.
MetLife Estate Planning Legal Services are Available in the Following States:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
What are the Steps to Getting Legal Help with MetLife?
Signing up is simple, efficient and safe. Get started finding the right plan and attorney for you, right now:
- Enroll online in minutes if you’re a federal employee. (Non-federal employee? Contact your employer to find out more about signing up).
- Find an attorney using our online search tool.
- Schedule a consultation—by email or phone.
- Meet with your attorney in person or by phone.
Federal Employee? Start Here
See What Our Customers Are Saying
Great deal. Brian Taylor from Mesa is excellent with family trusts and wills. We would recommend him to anyone who is looking to get a trust setup.
Plan Member
Michael Rubenstein is an amazing attorney. His knowledge of the law, responsiveness and attention to detail is unmatched. Hands down he is the best!
Plan Member
I've used this plan for multiple legal situations and have had incredible representation through the plan's attorneys. I especially recommend Aglaia Papadopoulos-Vlantes in New Jersey and Ted Lewis in Pennsylvania. A great plan with great attorneys.
Plan Member
Ready to Sign Up?
Enrolling is easy. Using your plan is even easier.
You’ll get access to over 1,700 online resources, including forms for wills, living wills, durable power of attorney documents, and living trusts, and can complete an estate plan in just 15 minutes. All at a fraction of what a typical attorney charges per hour.
Federal Employee? Enroll Here
MetLife Estate Planning FAQ
Not all cases are the same, and that means some may do things in different orders. But here’s a basic plan of action when it comes to estate planning.
- Inventory your assets: Make a list of everything you own, such as your house, car, bank accounts, investments, and belongings.
- Determine your goals: Think about how you want your assets distributed, start considering who will inherit them, and who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated.
- Choose beneficiaries: Decide who will inherit your assets (family, friends, charities, etc.)
- Name an executor or trustee: This person will be responsible for carrying out your wishes as outlined in your estate plan.
- Create a will: This is the legal document outlining your wishes for asset distribution and appointing an executor.
While MetLife Legal Plans themselves don't cover the entire estate planning process, they can still be a valuable resource. The plans offer access to a network of experienced attorneys who can provide consultations and advice on various legal matters, including:
- Last will and testament
- Power of attorney
- Advance healthcare directive
- Probate
- Inheritance rights
This is a big one, as choosing the right estate planning attorney is crucial for ensuring your wishes are carried out effectively. Here’s what we recommend, and how MetLife can help:
- Consider your needs: Every estate is different, as is your desired outcome. Simple wills may not require a specialist, while complex estates with trusts might benefit from an attorney with experience in those areas.
- Ask for recommendations: Talk to friends, family, or colleagues who have recently completed estate planning. Seek recommendations from financial advisors or accountants who may have experience working with estate attorneys. You can also contact us directly to get help finding an attorney – we’re always here to help.
- Check online resources: Our network attorneys have an average of 25 years of legal experience and agree to our Attorney Code of Excellence. If you choose an attorney outside of our network for a covered matter, we’ll reimburse you for services based on a set fee reimbursement schedule. You’ll be responsible to pay the difference, if any, between the plan's payment and the attorneys charge for services.
- Leverage a MetLife Legal Plan (if applicable): If you have a MetLife Legal Plan, we offer access to a network of 18,000 attorneys. You can even do a specific search for attorneys experienced in estate planning within our network.
- Scheduling consultations: Once you have a shortlist of attorneys you think are the right fit, reach out and schedule consultations. A real conversation will allow you to gauge their personality, communication style, and expertise in estate planning. Be sure to choose an attorney you feel comfortable with and trust to handle your sensitive information as well. It doesn’t have to be the first one you meet with either. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their experience with issues like yours.
A MetLife Federal Legal Plan offers affordable access to legal advice and representation, for either $14 or $22 per month (the cost of group plans through work can vary).
A MetLife Legal Plan can be a valuable resource for seeking legal advice for multiple matters, such as:
- Family law: Covers matters such as name changes, guardianship, school hearings, and conservatorship.
- Real estate: Legal advice for mortgage help, deeds, tenant negotiations and more.
- Estate planning: Topics like wills, trusts, and probate.
- Consumer law: Issues related to consumer rights and protections.
This is a general overview. For more information about the benefits MetLife Legal Plans offer, visit our website or contact us at 1-888-865-6854.
MetLife covers 80+ legal matters, from the expected to the unexpected, all designed to meet your needs, such as:
Family law: Covers matters such as adoption, school hearings, immigration assistance, and name changes.
Real estate: Advice on buying, selling, or renting property.
Estate planning: Wills, trusts, probate and more.
Consumer law: Deals with issues related to consumer rights and protections.
Administrative law: Advice and representation on matters involving federal agencies and regulations.
And don’t forget that a MetLife Legal Plan also offers other benefits such as unlimited consultations1 with your attorney for far lower than out-of-pocket rates.