Don't Get Caught Out with Extra Costs: Why You Should Have Legal Cover

Life never goes as expected. Simple situations can become complex in an instant, and seemingly easy-to-fix-problems can develop strings attached. An area of life where this often happens is with legal matters. Straightforward legal issues can turn into complicated proceedings that span months. 

Instead of leaving things up to chance and hoping you'll be able to access the best Legal Cover when the time comes, why not get affordable Legal Cover from Dialdirect?

The hidden risks of legal disputes

When watching popular legal series or movies, it's easy to forget that legal issues can take place in everyday situations. These impact the average person and not just in extraordinary circumstances. In reality, Legal Cover can be as useful and needed asCar Insurance.

While you might not get involved in a dramatic kidnapping or murder trial, you could face instances where you need legal help to resolve a matter related to the following:

• Benefits issues

• Criminal offences

• Consumer rights cases

• Contract law issues

• Debt

• Deceased estate issues

• Employment issues

• Housing or property disputes

• Marital issues

• Police disputes

Further risks of not having Legal Cover include the following:

1.    You may not qualify for legal aid

While it's true that when these instances take place, you could apply for legal aid. However, bear in mind that this benefit depends on your monthly income and whether you have house or vehicle assets. If you earn over a certain amount or have assets exceeding a certain value, it's possible that you may not qualify for legal assistance.

2.    You deserve quality legal care

Another factor to consider is the quality of your legal representation and the timeline involved. While legal aid is robust, its practitioners may not manage your desired timeline. Their specialisation may fall short of Legal Cover that could get your case a better outcome.

3.    Legal issues may impact your career and earning potential

Remember, the outcome of a legal issue and the cost of legal representation during its proceedings aren't the only costs you could face. For example, you may be unable to work for the duration of the case, meaning that you'd need a way to cover your bills for this period without working.

In short, out-of-pocket legal costs can happen in any circumstance, plus they can go on for longer than expected and cost more than you anticipated.

The high costs of legal expenses and disputes

Here is a real-life example of how legal costs can escalate to illustrate the importance of affordable Legal Cover.

Ann* and Bob* married several years ago. Ann signed an antenuptial agreement stating that no community of property and accrual would apply should she divorce Bob. During their marriage, Ann stayed at home and raised three children while Bob (a farmer) went on to purchase more farms and become wealthy. After 30 years of marriage, Bob and Ann separated. Ann decided that she wanted to challenge her divorce proceedings, which would see her walk away with no assets or maintenance. Several lawyers turned her down, but she found one willing to assist her. With this legal help, Ann decided to get a court order to have her divorce put on hold so she could argue that she had contributed to the marriage in non-financial ways and was, therefore, entitled to a settlement. She ultimately was successful.

Without being able to secure legal representation willing to argue how her individual circumstances warranted the law to reassess what she would receive in a divorce, there's a good chance Ann would have walked away from her marriage with nothing. She would have been forced to rely on her friends or family for help or having to enter the job market with no work experience.

Having the funds for legal assistance matters— as you'll never know when you might need it.

3 Key reasons why Legal Cover is essential for South Africans

Here are three primary reasons why having access to the best Legal Cover is essential.

1. Access to advice

The law constantly changes, and its jargon can be complex. The first step in any legal matter is understanding what you're facing so that you can take the appropriate steps to resolve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible. Say, for example, someone stole your car and got several traffic tickets in your name. If you don't get legal representation and know what to do next, these fines can become a summons, which can lead to an arrest warrant.

2. Financial protection

The costs of a legal matter can be extensive. For example, you are settling a deceased estate where the deceased person left no estate plan behind. Suppose you're appointed an executor of their estate. In that case, you may need to deal with outstanding debt and tax fees, maintenance obligations and accrual fees, executor’s fees, funeral and burial fees, transfer fees, asset maintenance fees and more.

3. Peace of mind

The costs of a legal matter extend beyond what you pay for it. The peace of mind knowing that you can afford Legal Cover can go a long way towards helping you feel less stressed. You will be able to preserve your savings while still meeting your legal obligations.

Get a Legal Cover Insurance quote

Getting access to tax assistance, mediation, litigation protection, and compensation coverage doesn't have to mean contracting a private lawyer who charges by the minute. With Dialdirect, you can add Legal Cover, as part of the Dialdirect value-added products bouquet, to your current policy and select the coverage that meets your needs. To find out more about what plan is best for you, get a legal coverage insurance quote from Dialdirect today.

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Sources:

1Times Live: Mrs G's court victory a win for women as court declares portions of Divorce Act unconstitutional

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.