Plain-language reference
Legal plan glossary
These explanations help you ask better questions. A term's precise meaning in a contract or court procedure may differ.
- Annual billing
- A full-year charge. A displayed monthly equivalent may be an illustration of that annual price rather than a monthly cancellation option.
- Attorney consultation
- A discussion with an attorney. Ask about duration, the matter covered, and whether follow-up or representation is included.
- Benefit limit
- A cap on eligible work, hours, pages, payments, or another measure defined in the plan.
- Cancellation
- Ending a subscription or renewal arrangement under its terms. Cancellation and a refund are separate questions.
- Covered matter
- An issue eligible for a specified benefit under the applicable terms. The benefit's scope can still be limited.
- Effective date
- The date eligibility or a benefit begins. Check whether additional waiting-period rules apply.
- Exclusion
- A provision that removes a matter, expense, person, or service from a benefit.
- Existing matter
- A matter that began before enrollment or another relevant date. The plan's own definition determines how it treats the issue.
- Fee waiver
- Court relief from specified fees for qualifying applicants. The court's procedure determines eligibility and what is waived.
- Network attorney
- An attorney participating in a provider's arrangement. Ask about suitability, availability, and the work included.
- Out-of-network reimbursement
- A payment toward an attorney outside the network, where the terms permit it. A scheduled amount may leave you paying the balance.
- Representation
- Attorney work on your behalf within the agreed engagement, such as negotiation or court appearances. Check the actual scope.
- Sunk cost
- A past cost that cannot be recovered. It should not be added to the future cost difference between available choices.
- Uncontested matter
- A matter with no dispute requiring resolution on the relevant issues. A service or court process may have additional eligibility requirements.