A legal benefit can be easy to overlook until you need a lawyer. When your employer changes providers, do not assume your enrollment, attorney access, or an unfinished matter will carry over.
Check two things separately: what you must do to enroll in the new plan, and what happens to work already started under the old one.
A real example: Maricopa County
Maricopa County, Arizona, says its MetLife group legal benefit ends December 31, 2026, with LegalShield offered for 2027. Its transition FAQ says employees must opt in during October 19–November 6 open enrollment; the new election otherwise defaults to waived. The new benefit takes effect January 1, 2027.
For existing MetLife matters, the county says covered matters started before December 31 continue to completion. It distinguishes obtaining a referral from engaging a law firm: a referral call alone does not initiate coverage.
Read Maricopa County's official transition FAQ · Questions 2, 6 and 15
Those are this employer's arrangements, not a rule for every MetLife or LegalShield plan. Another employer may use different elections, dates and continuation terms. This example is not a recommendation of either provider.
Five questions to ask before the switch
- Do I need to enroll again? Ask your benefits team whether an election is required, when coverage starts and whether there could be a gap. Save the confirmation.
- What happens to my open matter? Ask the outgoing plan and your lawyer what counts as starting a covered matter, whether unfinished work continues, and which later stages or charges fall outside that arrangement. Request the answer in writing.
- Can I keep my lawyer? Confirm whether the lawyer participates in the new plan. If not, ask about any out-of-network benefit, direct fees and responsibility for transferring records. Do not assume the new plan takes over the bill.
- Does the new plan cover the work I need? Compare the actual service: advice, document review, drafting, negotiation or representation. Ask about existing matters, waiting periods, exclusions and extra fees, not just the topic list.
- Who handles the next deadline? Confirm who is representing you and what you must do while coverage is being clarified. Do not assume a benefits transition pauses a filing date, hearing or response deadline.
Keep HR out of the private case details
Use HR or the benefits team for enrollment and administrative questions. Ask the plan how to reach its legal intake team securely before sharing documents or sensitive facts. Your lawyer is the right person to discuss legal strategy and immediate case deadlines.
Your next step
Gather your enrollment notice, current plan documents and any matter reference number. If work is underway, contact the outgoing plan and your lawyer before the transition date. Keep their written answers with your records, rather than entering private details on this website.
Find your existing legal benefitUse the coverage checklist
General information and editorial commentary, not legal advice or confirmation of your coverage. The employer example comes from the linked FAQ; the checklist is our suggested set of questions. No affiliate links appear in this article.