Legal Benefit 2025-26
PVFT WTF has reinstated the legal benefit for all active and retired members
(retiree members may not be in arrears). See more eligible details below.
This Benefit will be available February 2025 - January 31, 2027
Embedded Files
The Welfare Trust Fund has contracted with Feldman, Kramer & Monaco, P.C as administrators of a NYSUT Member Benefits Trust-endorsed Group Access Legal Service Plan. We will be committing to a 2-year period effective February 1, 2025.
The Plan covers all active and retiree members, who are not in arrears, their spouses or domestic partners who are living with the plan participant, and unmarried and/or dependent children under the age of 19 (and under the age of 25 if the child is wholly dependent upon the plan participant for support and maintenance or is enrolled as a full-time student).
Feldman, Kramer & Monaco, P.C. (FKM) has been a trusted source and a leader in Legal Service Plans for over 40 years. They currently service approximately 400,000 lives.
See below for available member services
For eligibility, member services and any legal fees for our legal plan, Call NYSUT directly.
800-626-8101
For legal help and appointments call:
Feldman, Kramer & Monaco, P.C.
330 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy #400
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
1 800.832.5182 (NY Calls Only)
1 800.292.8063 (Outside NY)
Fax: 1 631.231.4732
To Schedule a ZOOM Meeting, call the office
(631-231-1450) or visit https://www.fkmlaw.com/ and click on schedule an appointment
Submit your Will and Estate Planning Package to:
Feldman Kramer & Monaco PC
330 Motor Parkway Hauppauge, NY 11788
Or email to: answers@fkmlaw.com
Legal Plan benefits include:
Group Access Legal Service Plan
The Legal Services Plan provides Plan participants with access to attorneys in connection with real estate transactions, preparation of wills, providing legal advice, drafting letters and reviewing documents relating to personal legal matters as well as providing representation for other matters. In addition to the Plan participants, the Plan covers their spouses or domestic partners who are living with the Plan participant; unmarried, dependent children under the age of 19 or under the age of 26 if the child is wholly dependent upon the Plan participant for support and maintenance and is enrolled as a full-time student.
The initial point of contact for every active participant is the toll-free number of the Legal Plan Office of Feldman, Kramer & Monaco, P .C., ( 800) 832-5182. If necessary, the Legal Plan Office will then make referrals to local participating attorneys.
Below, please find a summary of the benefits included in the Legal Services Plan:
Group Access Legal Service Plan Benefits
Free Telephone Advice and Consultation
Each participant can call a toll-free number for unlimited telephone and Zoom sessions for advice and consultation.
Free Office Consultations
Each participant can call a toll-free number to schedule an in-office consultation.
Toll-Free 24 Hour Hotline for Emergencies
Free Letter Writing
Plan attorneys will write as many legal letters or place as many telephone calls as needed to assist the participants. In matters such as consumer protection and credit resolution, a letter or telephone call from a Plan attorney often resolves the problem.
Free Document Review
Plan attorneys will review documents such as apartment and automobile leases, promissory notes, retail sales agreements, and other contracts, limited to fifteen pages per document.
Will and/Trusts
Participants are entitled to the preparation of a simple Will, Living Will, Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney annually at no additional charge. Reciprocal Simple Wills and advance directives are also prepared for spouses/domestic partners at no extra charge. Certain trusts are also prepared with certain limitations.
Estate Planning Seminars or “Will Days”
Plan attorneys are available to conduct Estate Planning Seminars or sponsor “Will Days” via Zoom or in person upon request.
Lease Review Benefit
An attorney will review a Lease and Sublease, ascertain issues, identify problems and render advice.
Uncontested Annulment Benefit
Representation in connection with an uncontested annulment initiated in New York State.
Uncontested Adoption Benefit
Representation to formalize an uncontested adoption.
Small Claims Protection Benefit
Plan attorneys will provide advice regarding procedure and evidence preparation for Small Claims Court matters.
Identity Theft
Plan attorneys can be a tremendous resource in helping to both avoid becoming an identity theft victim and reclaim one’s identity. This may include advice on the laws governing this crime, the appropriate course of action, the proper entities to contact to place a fraud alert, and assistance with the formulation of the appropriate dispute letters to the agencies and creditors involved.
Foreclosure
Plan attorneys can assist with steps that can be taken to avoid mortgage foreclosure by analyzing the financial situation, reviewing loan documents and discussing options such as lender payment workouts, short sale options and, in some cases, Chapter 13 bankruptcy payment plan alternatives.
Veterans Benefits
Assist members in obtaining “Aid and Assistance” for a loved one who is a veteran or the veteran’s spouse.
Elder Law
A plan attorney will provide representation and advice regarding Elder Law at a reduced fee.
Bankruptcy
Plan attorneys can offer advice on alternatives such as creditor “workout” in overwhelming debt situations, including suspension of interest, budget review and, in extreme circumstances, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy alternatives. Where appropriate, the Plan attorney may contact the creditor involved to discuss favorable alternatives to ever-mounting debt or collection litigation, $1,525.
Referral Attorneys
These attorneys have contracted to provide legal representation at a rate of $285 per hour or at a 25% percent discount from their usual hourly fee, whichever is the lower amount.
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.
Stockbroker Arbitration
Financial abuse is on the rise, and we will provide a reduction of the contingency fee.
Personal Injury Benefit
Representation on a contingency fee basis at a reduced rate from the standard contingency percentage of the recovery.
Debt Consolidation
Plan attorneys will assist a covered individual with debtor/creditor issues. Attorneys will advise covered individuals regarding their rights under the Federal Fair Debt Collector Practices Act, which governs collector practices. Attorneys will advise covered individuals on issues related to Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy alternatives. Where appropriate attorneys will review a Covered Individual’s financial situation and relevant documents, and may contact the Covered Individual’s creditor to discuss options available to suspend interest, work out a payment plan and avoid a collection lawsuit.
Estate Administration Benefit
Representation in an uncontested probate or administration proceeding at a twenty-five (30%) percent reduction in the percentage contingency used to calculate the statutory fiduciary commissions.
Commercial and Business Law Benefit
Free consultation and advice on the formation and structuring of various business entities or retain the firm at discounted flat rates.
Guaranteed Maximum Fees
The following legal matters are subject not only to reduced hourly rates but also to a maximum fee, regardless
of time spent on the matter.
Simple Promissory Note
Personal Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) $1,525
DWI (First offense and up to two (2) court appearances) $1.200
Divorce (Uncontested, without marital agreement)* $1,000
Divorce (Uncontested, with marital agreement)* $1,850
Separation (Uncontested)* $ 900
Modification of Child Support (Preparation of pleadings only) $ 550
Real Estate (Sale or purchase of primary residence only)
- Up to $250,000 $ 850
- $250,000 - $500,000 $1,025
- $500,000 - $1,000,000 $1,325
Refinance of Mortgage $ 425
Traffic Violation (First offense, three (3) points or less – Up to two (2) court appearances). $ 600
Misdemeanor (First offense – Up to two (2) court appearances) $1,200
Name Change (Uncontested) $ 600
The benefits provided by a Legal Services Plan are more valuable than ever before due in large part to COVID-
19. Many people are facing issues such as: Bankruptcy (we can help stop bill collectors), Foreclosure (we can
provide guidance with keeping or vacating a home), Landlord/Tenant Issues (rent reduction or eviction
moratorium), Estate Planning (FREE Will, POA and trusts) and Family Law Issues (we can assist with
child/spousal support modifications), Real Estate (many families are moving).
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How to submit your completed Will and Estate Planning form for your virtual meeting:
PRIOR to your appointment you should complete the Estate Planning Package that has been emailed to you. Email the completed Estate Planning Package to John Calimano at this email address: jcalimano@fkmlaw.com.
PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL, "Putnam Valley Will Day”.
Here is the link to the security questionnaire you must complete prior to your appointment:
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How to Add Elders to your plan:
The member must call NYSUT member benefits. Request and Elder Rider. Call 1800-626-8101. PLEASE NOTE: the benefit to our Elders does not include all services that are provided to you on this link. They can use the plan for estate planning items ONLY. Services for Medicare issues, Insurance, Trusts, etc. For instance, Elders cannot call for a letter to be written on their behalf. Please discuss the fees for all of those and other desired services in advance. There is a $55 fee each year for this rider.
Fees:
The first parent will receive the following documents: Health Care Proxy, Living Will and a Last Will and Testament at no charge. To add Power of Attorney to the single parent, they will be billed $75.00. They will send a check to Feldman with the papers before the consultation meeting.
For the second parent, an additional charge of $100 will be charged to them for ALL 4 documents. They will send a check to Feldman with the papers before the consultation meeting.
Example: If two parents are getting all 4 documents, the fee to the member is $55.00 AND the fee to the parents is $175.00.
After the first Legal Security Package is completed either by parents or in-laws, all additional Legal Security Packages are charged $100 for a single package or $200 for a package for a couple.
Elders should discuss the fees with Feldman, Kramer & Monaco for additional services.
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