The CSA Retiree Welfare Fund provides access to a legal assistance and referral service at no cost for participants and their families.
This service is provided by the firm Feldman, Kramer, and Monaco (FKM), specialists in providing legal services to union families. FKM provides service to residents of all 50 states. Basic services are free and reduced fees are charged for services such as real estate closings, divorces, and separation.
To obtain a free consultation and arrange for services please call FKM directly at (800) 832-5182
For a comprehensive look at these benefits, click here for FKM’s Legal Services Plan Overview.
Or learn who is eligible within your family and how to utilize these benefits, please see below for the overview provided by FKM. Representatives of FKM are ready and willing to conduct remote seminars on their services, and we will provide dates and times for these workshops in upcoming member and retiree updates.
Please remember that these legal services offered by FKM are designed as a member benefit and separate and apart from the legal services that CSA provides our members. CSA attorneys are not party to the attorney/client relationship you may engage in with FKM; CSA will not receive any confidential information regarding your identity or legal issues and bears no individual or organizational liability for the services FKM offers.
We hope that this legal plan will provide you with valuable information, necessary support for many of your legal needs outside the scope of the labor and employment related counsel CSA provides, and well-earned benefits that bring you peace of mind in these challenging times.
HOW TO USE YOUR LEGAL PLAN
If you wish to consult a lawyer for benefits provided by the Legal Services Plan, the first step is to call the Legal Plan Attorney Office at 1 (800) 832-5182. An appointment will be scheduled for you, or you will receive a telephone consultation regarding your legal problem immediately.
You will be provided with legal services by attorneys employed or retained by the Legal Services Plan. There is no subscription or registration fee to be paid by any covered member to entitle him/her to the benefits of the Plan. In most instances, legal services are provided by a Plan employed or retained attorney. However, in special situations, (Member vs. Member dispute, for example) you will be provided with legal services by an attorney provided from a standby panel. Your relationship with the attorney will be that of attorney and client. No member of the Legal Services Plan, or any Trustee of the Legal Services Plan can interfere in this relationship. All protections of confidentiality between you and your attorney will be preserved.
As a covered member, you are not required to use the benefits provided by the Legal Services Plan. You are free, at all times, to hire your own attorneys, but the Plan will not pay your fees to a privately retained attorney, except if a voucher is available for the specific service. The Legal Services Plan will not absorb or be responsible for any part of the fees or charges of attorneys other than the Plan designated attorney, except as set forth herein. At all times, the Attorney’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Ethics will fully apply to your relationship with your attorney. Neither your employer nor your union will receive any confidential information regarding your identity or your legal issues from the attorney unless you specifically in writing, authorize the attorney to release your information.
FREE CONSULTATION BENEFIT
A covered member or dependent may get telephone advice or in-office/zoom consultations. This benefit provides a covered member and dependent with the opportunity to consult an attorney for three (3) one hour in-office sessions each calendar year concerning any new legal matter. In addition, a covered individual may consult with the Legal Service Plan attorneys an unlimited number of times over the telephone. The in-office consultations cannot be used as a credit toward any other service.
24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE BENEFIT
If a covered member or dependent is confronted with a situation that requires immediate legal advice, he or she may call the emergency hotline to talk to an attorney after regular business hours. This emergency service may only be used in situations that cannot wait until the next business day, such as arrest, accident, or assault.
FREE DOCUMENT REVIEW BENEFIT
This benefit provides review and interpretation by an attorney of documents which directly involve the member or a covered dependent, such as guarantees, warranties, installment purchase agreements, loans, leases, and court papers.
The following documents are not included in the Document Review Benefit:
- Tax Returns.
- Work that is being prepared by other attorneys at the time of your Document Review appointment.
- Documents exceeding 15 pages in length.
The Document Review Benefit provides review and interpretation of documents: it does not involve representation by counsel, unless such representation involves legal services covered by the Plan. If a covered matter is involved, the Plan will provide representation by an attorney in accordance with this Legal Services Plan.
FREE LEGAL LETTERS BENEFIT
Your Plan attorney will write free legal letters on your behalf to resolve legal or consumer disputes before they become lawsuits. These letters are available regarding any covered legal matter. However, letters cannot be written in response to a pending lawsuit or regarding any personal injury claims, or in connection with any matter that in the sole discretion of the attorney, constitutes an impropriate, unethical or frivolous matter.
FREE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT BENEFIT
This benefit provides a covered member and his/her spouse or registered domestic partner with the opportunity to have a Last Will and Testament executed under the supervision of a Legal Services Plan Attorney. Advice regarding estate planning and potential strategies to reduce estate taxes are included.
Wills include a Free Minor’s Trust. A “Minor’s Trust” is a trust that leaves property to a younger person, but in the care of a trustee, until the young person reaches a designated age, (often age 25, 30, or 35). Trusts for younger individuals are usually set up by parents or grandparents who want to leave property to a young person, but also want to name a trusted adult to care for the property until the child is mature enough to inherit in their own name.
It is sometimes important to protect this younger person from themselves. Often a parent or grandparent may wish that the child finish college and become financially responsible before the entire inheritance is distributed to that child. The minor’s trust can also stagger the distributions from the estate thus potentially protecting the child from a divorce, a poor business decision or an accident.
FREE HEALTH CARE PROXY BENEFIT
This benefit provides a covered member and his/her spouse or registered domestic partner with the opportunity to have a Health Care Proxy prepared and executed under the supervision of a Legal Services Plan Attorney.
FREE LIVING WILL BENEFIT
This benefit provides a covered member and his/her spouse or registered domestic partner with the opportunity to have a Living Will prepared and executed under the supervision of a Legal Services Plan Attorney.
FREE DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY BENEFIT
This benefit provides a covered member and his/her spouse or registered domestic partner with the opportunity to have a Durable Power of Attorney prepared and executed under the supervision of a Legal Services Plan Attorney.
LEGAL PLAN WORKSHOPS BENEFIT
If there is enough interest, CSA may host workshops designed to educate members about the Legal Plan benefits. The seminars are basically pre-consultation estate planning workshops, tailored to motivate members to take advantage of the legal plan and prompt them to complete their estate planning documents. Members will be given the opportunity to sign up in advance for an appointment to meet with an attorney for FREE.
WILL AND ESTATE PLANNING PREPARATION WEBINAR BENEFIT
Members will have the opportunity to log on to a very user-friendly Will and Estate Planning Preparation webinar which will scheduled in advance.
WILL DAYS
If there is enough interest, CSA may host estate planning consultations at CSA Headquarters, or via Zoom, to motivate members to use their legal plan benefits, and prompt them to get their estate planning documents completed. On what are called “Will Days”, eligible members will have the opportunity for a one-on-one consultation with an attorney. This attorney will educate members on how to complete their estate planning questionnaire, and overcome the pitfall of “out of sight, out of mind.” Estate planning documents are then mailed to the member for review and then the member has an opportunity to sign up for a signing day wherein they will meet with the attorney again to ensure that the documents are executed properly.
ELDER LAW BENEFIT
Elder Law attorneys will consult with an eligible dependent to discuss asset preservation strategies. The first hour is free and all subsequent time will be billed at a 20% reduction from the Elder Law attorneys’ usual billing rate. Elder Law is different than Estate Planning which is covered at no cost in the Last Will and Testament Benefit. Elder Law focuses on asset transfers which will protect assets in the event of the need for nursing home care. This service is also extended to member’s parents or grandparents. Elder Law attorneys can advise on State law and assist in putting a health and estate plan in effect, which can maximize eligibility for coverage of nursing home and home care costs while preserving one’s estate and assets. The attorneys who will provide the listed services specialize in the subject of Elder Law, estate planning, wills, trusts, pre-nursing home planning, probate, and conservatorship.
VETERANS BENEFIT
A Plan Attorney will assist a member or their parents with applying for the Veterans benefit, Aid and Attendance, which provides extra income for a veteran who requires medical care. They would extend this benefit to their spouse or domestic partner and their parents and parents-in-law.
STUDENT LOAN REDUCTION ASSISTANCE BENEFIT
Managing student loans and understanding the repayment options can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when you are getting unclear or conflicting information from your loan servicer. Members can speak with a Student Loan Counselor at no charge wherein they will receive a comprehensive review of their student loan issues. This includes government and private loan issues. Members will have access to assistance and advice in connection with the various student loan assistance programs. Based on their unique goals and circumstances, the Student Loan Counselor can analyze the available programs and design a comprehensive action plan. For a reduced fee they can also help complete program applications, submit required paperwork, answer legal questions, and troubleshoot bureaucratic problems related to student loan servicing.
REAL ESTATE BENEFIT
Purchase of Primary Residence: $850
Sale of Primary Residence: $850
Refinance of primary residence: $275
Transfer of primary residence w/out consideration: $275
PROMISSORY NOTE BENEFIT
Promissory Note – Simple Promissory Note – $75
DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED BENEFIT
(First offense and up to two court appearances) – $1,050
SMALL CLAIMS PROTECTION BENEFIT
Attorney will provide advice regarding the filing and pursuit of claims in Small Claims Court, including advice regarding procedure and evidence preparation for Small Claims Court matters. This benefit shall be limited to advice only.
IDENTITY THEFT BENEFIT
Attorney will provide advice regarding Identity Theft. They will provide advice to covered individuals on the federal laws governing identity theft and will offer covered individuals comprehensive advice on how best to avoid having their identity stolen. Victims of identity theft will be offered comprehensive advice and guidance on how best to proceed to reclaim their identity. This advice will include how to file a police report, what credit agencies to contact to place a fraud alert, and guidance on how to construct an appropriate dispute letter to any creditor or agency involved. This benefit shall be limited to advice only, and in appropriate limited circumstances may, in the professional discretion of the national legal office include the writing of up to three (3) letters per plan year
BANKRUPTCY BENEFIT
Bankruptcy Chapter 11: Attorneys will provide analysis and advise on the topic of bankruptcy and chapter 11 or other alternatives at the reduced hourly rate of $285 per hour.
Bankruptcy chapter 7: $1,425 – This benefit includes a free consultation.
Bankruptcy chapter 13: This benefit includes a free consultation and the availability of representation with petition filing at trial or in a court at the reduced hourly rate of $285 per hour.
FAMILY LAW BENEFIT
Divorce (uncontested, without marital agreement) $900
Divorce (uncontested, with marital agreement) $1,700
Separation (Uncontested) $900
Modification of Child Support (Preparation of pleadings only) $550
Additionally, the Plan provides coverage only to the covered member at the discounted hourly rate of $285 per hour in all stages of contested actions for divorce and separation and for annulment proceedings. This benefit also includes negotiation and preparation of separation agreements and property settlements. Plan attorneys will also represent the covered member in connection with the preparation of premarital contracts at the discounted hourly rate of $285 per hour. The Plan also covers representation of the covered member in support, family offense, custody, and paternity proceedings in Family Court at the discounted hourly rate of $285 per hour. These benefits only cover representation of the covered member. Dependents are not covered under these benefits.
REDUCED FEE BENEFIT
Representation is available from the Plan attorneys at the rate of $285.00 per hour for matters that are specifically covered by the Legal Plan but require payment for contested matters under the terms of the plan.
CRIMINAL DEFENSE BENEFIT
This benefit provides a covered member with consultation in connection with matters concerning any misdemeanor or felony. Representation is available from the Plan attorneys at $285.00 per hour. This benefit includes a free consultation and the availability of representation at trial or in court at the reduced hourly rate described herein or at a 30% reduction from the flat fee. Federal jurisdiction matters are not covered.
FORECLOSURE DEFENSE BENEFIT
This benefit provides a covered member with consultation in matters involving problems with a foreclosure in connection with the covered member’s primary residence and regarding a petition which specifically names the covered member as a respondent. This benefit includes a free consultation and the availability of representation at a rate of $285 per hour.
PREVENTITIVE LAW GUIDE BENEFIT
The firm’s newsletter provides timely information on a variety of consumer issues and is written to inform participants about their rights under the law. Designed to inform members of the benefits of the legal plan, including hot law related topics and how members can best use the legal plan to protect their home and assets. Included will be success stories and examples on how members can utilize the legal plan to enhance their lives.
PERSONAL INJURY BENEFIT
Personal Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means that the attorney fees are a percentage of the recovery rather than at an hourly rate. If there is no recovery you don’t pay any legal fees. The law sets the percentage of the contingent fees and your plan has offered a reduction of that fee.
In the event that any covered member or dependent is injured in a car accident, slip and fall accident, dog-bite, product liability, premises accident, and others your Plan attorney will reduce the standard contingency fees approved by the court of the applicable state as follows:
Twenty percent (20%) reduction of the contingency fee if the case is settled prior to examination before trial.
Ten percent (10%) reduction of the contingency fee if the case is settled after examination before trial or is tried to conclusion.
This reduction can save an injured victim many thousands of dollars.
Legal representation is available for medical or other professional malpractice. However, it is not possible to reduce the fees for those matters.
ESTATE ADMINISTRATION BENEFIT
Legal Representation in an uncontested probate of a Last Will and Testament or an uncontested estate administration proceeding in Surrogate’s Court in the absence of a Will. The benefit allowance is a twenty-five (25%) percent reduction in the percentage contingencies used to calculate the statutory fiduciary commissions as outlined in the New York State Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, Section 2307 or New Jersey Surrogates Act, section 54: 34-5C. This includes the filing of Federal and State estate tax returns. Legal fees do not include court filing fees and expenses or disbursements that are chargeable to the client.
STOCK BROKER ARBITRATION BENEFIT
Elder financial abuse is on the rise and is expected to impact an increasing number of families across America over the next decade. Financial abuse cases arising out of Investment Fraud, Investment loss, Financial Adviser Misconduct, Account Churning, and accepted on a contingent fee basis by a participating referral attorney with a Ten percent (10%) reduction from the standard contingency fee approved by the court of the applicable state.
