A TO Z MEMBER TESTIMONIALS

Empowerment and Education

Planning and Prevention

Resolution and Insurance Protection

A Special Thank You... To all of our members who submitted stories during the MyStory Campaign, ARAG is deeply inspired by your passion about the plan and honored to have played an important role in helping protect your families, finances and futures. These stories remind all of us why we work so hard to provide affordable legal protection to all.

Copyright 2009 ARAG

ARAG plan members from across the country have experienced a wide-range of planned and unplanned legal matters. Thankfully these members were empowered with a legal plan from ARAG and able to rectify their matters. In the following pages you will read members real-life stories, see the multitude of uses with the plan, and learn how members were able to get their lives back on track. A to Z Legal Matters A Adoption B Bankruptcy C Contractor Dispute D Divorce E Eldercare F Follow-up Calls or Letters G Guardianship H Home Purchase I Immigration Assistance J Just-In-Case K Kids (Adoption and Custody) L Living Will M Medical Bills N Name Change O Obstructing Movement P Property Protection Q Quit Claim Deed R Rental Issues S Separation Agreement T Trusts U Unpaid Traffic Tickets V Violence W Wills X eXplore Legal Options Y Young Sons Name Change Z Zzzzzs (A Better Night Sleep)

Note: Select My Stories from ARAG legal plan members were rewritten due to spacing requirements. For more stories, please visit www.ARAGgroup.com.

Adoption
I was lucky and blessed enough to receive the phone call askingDo you and your husband still entertain the thought of adopting? I was so stunned that I said, well, let me talk to him and Ill get back to you. Of course, we called back and said, absolutely, if this has been all thought through and the biological parents are positive that this is something that they are for sure they want to do. I was told, yes, its a for sure thing... call your lawyer and see what needs to be done. Well, needless to say, I was not sure where to go from here, since it was all going to be a private, non-contested adoption. I contacted a lawyer on the ARAG list and they were very helpful! They directed me to the proper resources to meet all of the qualications, and walk me through all of the steps over the next 3 months waiting for him to be born. This for me was a very emotional time in my life. I really did not think I would ever be a mom in my lifetime, and the thought that the biological mom could change her mind at any time had me in a tail spin. My lawyer covered all bases to protect me and they had me prepared for anything and everything that would happen or anything that could possibly go wrong. With all of their help and support, the adoption was nalized last month! My son is now 7 months old, happy and thriving! Our family could not be any happier! ARAG and my attorney helped with such a huge chapter in our lives. I dont think they will ever know how much we appreciate all of the support and help to make our family complete! Anonymous

Bankruptcy
I was having nancial diculty and had to le bankruptcy when I decided to call and talk to someone. I told ARAG that one of my creditors was garnishing my wages and I wondered what I can do. Being my husband is disabled and my income pays the bills, I began to panic. I thought I had put the creditor on my bankruptcy and later found out that I didnt. ARAG told me to call the creditor and talk to them. After speaking to my creditor and ARAG many times I felt there was nothing I could do.

After several weeks I found out that since I had led bankruptcy recently the judge closed my case and the creditor had to pay back all the money they had garnished. The creditor was upset and they didnt want to send the money right away so I then called ARAG again, after speaking to someone else I started calling the courts within a couple of days I received all the money they owed me. If it wasnt for ARAG I wouldnt have known what to do. Thanks for all your help on this. I couldnt have done it without you. Kathy M. Buena Park, California

Contractor Dispute

C
working for them.

The 12 inches of water that ooded our house after Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 was only the beginning of the nightmare. When the ood restoration expert we hired to gut and clean our house nished weeks of work, he gave us a bill for $22,000. But then another ood restoration company called and demanded that we pay them that total because the other company had been

The dispute between the two companies apparently involved a handshake agreement that had fallen apart. But when it fell apart and what the original deal had been I didnt know. All I knew was that I had 2 dierent companies demanding I pay them $22,000. Luckily I had enrolled in the ARAG legal insurance program through work. I called the for a free phone consultation and laid out the facts as I knew them. The attorney told me that this could get tricky and that I needed to have a local attorney working for me. She sent me a list of lawyers in my area and their specialties, and I soon met with my new attorney. He advised me that if I paid either company, the other could go after me for the same amount and because of a loophole in Florida law, I could end up having to pay both bills! The ght between the two companies was downright nasty, and my wife and I were stuck in the middle. My attorney repeatedly met with attorneys for both companies, but neither would budge. It took several months of meetings and letters, but just before we were set to move back into our rebuilt home, [Attorney] called with the good news: He had worked out an agreement to let us pay into an escrow account that the two companies could keep ghting over. That meant we could enjoy moving back into our home without having a $22,000 cloud hanging over our head. And all it cost us was the small weekly deduction less than the cost of a pizza. Id like to say that was the end of the story and that we lived happily ever after. But the story took an unfortunate turn last month: Our house ooded again during Tropical Storm Fays assault on Florida. I dont know whats ahead for us this time, but at least we have ARAG on our side again. David C. Debary, Florida 5

Divorce
I began my rst day of employment and as I signed up for my benets online, a woman I had not yet met, was standing in the doorway of my oce. Sign up for that legal insurance it is the best thing I ever did! I had no idea that the click of my mouse to sign up for ARAG Legal Insurance would be the best thing I have ever done.

Life is uncertain and unexpected surprises are around every corner good and bad. I was in for a roller coaster ride one year after my rst day of work, my husband and love of eight years asked me for a divorce. I knew I needed a lawyer and I e-mailed ARAG for a list of network attorneys in my area. At a time of complete devastation in my personal life, ARAG truly came to my aid. I found a lawyer on the list and she was absolutely wonderful through the entire process. My legal insurance covered all of my expenses. All I paid to my lawyer was the $320 ling fee to be submitted to the County Court. I must have saved myself somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 in lawyer fees alone. And, beyond the money I saved by using ARAG, I felt very comfortable with my lawyer and she and her team were behind me 100%. ARAG, in my opinion, is invaluable. Hands down, the best decision I have made in my life. Since this experience, I have now switched jobs and the rst thing I did as I signed up for benets was click my mouse to select ARAG Legal Insurance. Elise B. Carlsbad, California

Eldercare

About two years ago Christians wifes grandmother was going through a pretty rough time. Not only had her husband died recently, but she was having a hard time keeping up on chores and daily housework. She desperately did not want to give up her freedom by going into assisted living, but needed help.

Then the family had an idea. The basement of the grandmothers house was large enough to double as an apartment and they could hire a live-in nurse who could help during the day. And the nurse would have his/her own space for relaxation and privacy. This way costs ...the resources available through would be reduced with room and ARAG give me the same ability as board being paid for and the going to a whole army of lawyers grandmother could remain in her own across several legal disciplines, with home. Christian did some research on the ARAG web site and found an eldercare document to outline costs, responsibilities and duties of the live-in nurse. It gave his family the peace of mind they needed that the caretaker would follow all state and country regulations.

greater exibility and a tiny fraction of the cost.

The next step was to call an ARAG Customer Care Specialist to get in touch with an attorney about renting the basement to the live-in nurse. After a few short hours, Christian was in contact with an attorney who understood both the eldercare and landlord-tenant laws. By the end of the week all of the paperwork was ready for the live-in nurse to agree to and sign. The nurse and her son moved in shortly thereafter and the grandmother was allowed to keep her freedom but had the security of help near by. If it had not been for ARAG, Christians wifes grandmother would not have been able to live in her home and receive the care she needed. Christian P. Castle Rock, Colorado 7

Follow-up Calls or Letters

I had purchased a custom color hutch/work center for my third oor apartment in San Francisco. To my surprise, when it came time for delivery, we discovered that the only way to get this hutch into my apartment was to have it hoisted via an outside window. This would be a huge cost, and at this point in time, I wanted to return the item.

The store, of course, would not hear of this. You see, I had ordered a specic color of wood and my order was considered custom. I called several times to no avail. This went on for over 6 months. Then I remembered the ARAG service and made a call to the telephone attorneys. The attorney I spoke with suggested I write a letter and he provided me with some key phrases and words to use in the content. Lo and behold, I was credited the $1600 to my account within a weeks time. Not only did I get my money back, which I could not aord to lose, but it also eased tensions at home! I LOVE this service! Meryl D. San Francisco, California

Guardianship (and More)

A couple of years later, I married my husband, Steve. ARAG was there protecting us when Steves child support was recalculated (six times) because his ex-wife couldnt accept that my income didnt count in the equation. ARAG was there for us again when my grandson suddenly found himself in need of a guardian. Then, after many years of searching, my husband and I found our dream home. ARAG was there for us again, providing us a list of well qualied real estate attorneys to help us with our contract. ARAG provides my family the services we need to live in todays world. Barbara W. Norman, Oklahoma

I originally enrolled in ARAG to do my estate planning (wills, living trust, etc.).

Home Purchase
I have been a member of ARAG for many years, and one of the benets I have enjoyed is the enormous amount of money my husband and I saved in closing costs in 2001 on the purchase of our rst home. After the initial contract signing, I contacted our ARAG attorney to represent us in this real estate transaction. Our experience with out attorney throughout the entire process was very professional and informative. He answered all of our questions and dispelled any concerns we may have had. He also ensured that all the necessary paper work was completed in time for our closing on April 30, 2001. Because of our attorneys professionalism, we have continued to use him for our other New Jersey real estate transactions. I also appreciated the fact that by using the services provided by ARAG, my stress level was greatly reduced. I have called your Customer Service on numerous occasions, and was always satised with the response(s) provided by your Customer Care Specialist(s). Dawn G. Edison, New Jersey

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Immigration Assistance
Three weeks before his wedding, Shaun and his anc were busy making last minute wedding preparations. The one thing that was dierent than other couples preparing for marriage was that Shauns anc was not an American citizen. Not only were they dealing with the pressures of planning a wedding, honeymoon and their life together, but they had to navigate the immigration process as well. Shaun was a member of the ARAG legal plan and got in touch with an immigration attorney. Soon they realized that traveling internationally for their honeymoon would prove to be dicult and could result in his anc not being about to be let back into the United States. After nding out the helpful information, the couple changed their honeymoon to Florida to forgo the headaches. With the help of ARAG, Shauns anc is in the process of becoming a United States citizen. They credit the assistance and information they received from ARAG to help with the process. Shaun H. Parkesburg, Pennsylvania

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Just-In-Case
Our story is not unusual or newsworthy but one of nally getting something very important in life done. We signed up for ARAG years ago via my company benets and werent exactly sure why other than we had legal assistance as insurance for the Just-in-Case. Well, our tale is not an exciting one for the just-incase but it is one where we took advantage of what we were paying for and got something in exchange settled.

ARAG allowed us the legal resources at our ngertips to nally get our Will and Testament done. We did this at no further cost to us other than a piece of our time resulting in our peace of mind. Our ARAG lawyer was there to give us insight and knowledge of the process as well as answered our questions that guided us through this process. So now, with this document processing behind us we have the will to live right now; without the worry of the What Ifs of tomorrow for our loved ones. Kathi R. Cumming, GA

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Kids (Adoption and Custody )

Pam and Eric met in 2000 and were married shortly thereafter. Both bringing daughters into their married life, in 2004 Eric made plans to adopt Pams biological daughter. With the help of ARAG, they were able to nd an attorney to complete the adoption process and make their family complete. Pams story doesnt end there, a year later, one of her step-daughters was having diculty with her biological mother. Pam called an ARAG attorney to help assist with child custody. Pam and Eric saved at least $10,000 in ghting for the best interest of their daughter and received full custody. If it were not for ARAG they would have not been able to aord these services to make their daughters lives better. The help they received changed their family for life.

Pams 4th Grade Daughter Recalls the Days Events: We had to get up early this morning so we can go to court. We sat in trac for a very long time. But we nally got to the court house almost late. My mom dropped me and my dad o at the front so we wouldnt be late and she went to park the car. When we got into court the judge asked my dad some questions and asked me some questions and then asked my mom some questions. Then he said a bunch of stu I did not under stand and then he said that I was ocially a Hagen and belonged to my dad. I was so happy I wanted to cry. Then we got the paper work from down stairs and then went out to breakfast to celebrate and then my mom and dad dropped me o at school. I am so happy to have my dad really be my dad!

Pam H. Aurora, Colorado

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Living Will
It is pretty simple; having an ARAG legal plan has opened my eyes to the legal world and has taken away the stress of trying to gure things out. With an ARAG legal plan there is a lot of leg work that I do not have to deal with. I simply call or refer to a list of attorneys and then go from there. Being a mother of two boys, I always have a full plate and this benet has made a positive impact on my life. I know that anytime I need legal assistance, reputable guidance is within my reach.

So far I have met with three dierent attorneys, due to dierent matters and I felt really good about all three attorneys that I met with. One specic meeting was pertaining to my living will. This is denitely one of those tasks that I put o for years, because I didnt know who to turn to and I didnt know if I really needed an attorney or not. It turns out that I was covered to meet with an attorney for this type of service and it was in my best interest to go to an attorney as opposed to buying legal software or trying to draft it myself. The attorney I selected was one that I would recommend to others and will denitely turn to in the event that I need to amend my living will. He was very down to earth and did a great job of explaining everything to me. I feel better knowing that I have excellent legal services available to me if and when they are needed. Gina R. Roseville, California

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Medical Bills

This is a story of how being a member of the ARAG group plan helped me greatly in the most stressful of situations. In the Spring of 2004, my 11-year-old daughter, Danielle, was diagnosed with leukemia. Little did we know that the medical battle would be accompanied by a legal one as well.

My family has comprehensive health insurance through my employer, a large company. The plan is clear that my out-of-pocket maximum for an individual in a given year is $1,350.00. Soon after medical claims started, I started receiving medical bills with balances as high as $53,000.00, demanding payment within one week! I contacted my health insurance company, who claimed that they were not in the wrong. It soon became clear that I was in a stando situation with my health insurance company. I contacted an ARAG lawyer, and set up an appointment. I was able to have several discussions with him about my situation, all covered by my ARAG policy. My attorney helped me understand my rights, and helped me draft letters to the insurance companys grievance and appeals department. My attorney also assured me that I was in the right, and either they will come around, or well sue them and theyll put your daughter through college. My attorneys words and actions were of great relief. In the end, once the insurance company saw that we were building the case for a suit, they started paying the claims. I am happy to report that my daughters leukemia is in complete remission, and I have not paid one penny more than my due for her medical treatments. I recommend ARAG coverage to anyone when the opportunity arises. Jerey G. West Chester, Ohio

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Name Change
Dionne and her husband were married in July of 2001, bringing Dionnes daughter and her husbands two children into their family. All of them, except for Dionnes daughter, had the same last name. This often caused confusion when others asked them about their family. They all wanted to be looked at as a family and wanted to eliminate the questions. To do so, they needed help in changing their daughters last name to be the same as the rest of the family. Normally, a name change may have cost the family at least $1,100. However, as a member of the ARAG legal plan, Dionne contacted a Network Attorney and was able to get the daughters name change by just paying the monthly premium. And now they ALL carry the proud name, and feel like a family with the help from ARAG. Dionne D. Miami, Florida

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Obstructing Movement
In July of 2008, a main road in Chriss home town was shut for construction. Unfortunately, all of the trac was detoured onto their residential street. This street was known to have children playing and be a quiet street in the neighborhood. But with the detour, cars were whizzing into the neighborhood at 50 mph or more. Chris was concerned, and put a trash can in the road with a sign saying, Please slow down, children at play. Chris was told by a police ocer that the trash can would need to be removed, as it was Obstructing Movement. Chris moved the trash can and didnt think much of it. Two weeks later, Chris saw his name in the paper as being arrested and charged with Obstructing Movement. The police ocer would not back down on the charges, so Chris contacted ARAG. Shortly after Chris was in contact with an attorney who found that there was a statute which allowed for temporary barriers implemented for public safety. The charges were dropped and Chris saved hundreds of dollars with the help of ARAG.

Chris B. Los Alamos, New Mexico

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Property Protection
I have been a member of the ARAG legal plan through my employer for years. I consider it the very best value in my fringe benets package because with legal care, acting proactively is a great value.

Among the issues that ARAG has helped me address... has been how to prepare for hurricanes and their potential damage. My private residence adjoins a condo property and we had a large chus tree that was in our yard but right on the property line/fence... I could only trim the tree back on my side of the fence and heavy limbs had grown over the fence onto the condos side where I had no legal access. My attorney assisted me in drafting a letter to the condo association advising and asking them to cut the tree on their side as I was cutting it on mine. I was afraid that the uneven load might push the tree over into the condo property in a potential windstorm. Unfortunately, the condo association ignored my request and not more than six weeks later a hurricane indeed came through Miami and the tree fell over onto one of the condo homes. My rst reaction was relief that I had put them on notice with [my attorneys] assistance. When I reached her by phone, she was able to assure me that the fallen tree was not going to be our obligation to remove under the Florida law in particular since I had sent notice of the potential for this outcome. The condo association instead of removing the part of the tree that fell across into their common areas had a tractor push the entire tree into our yard! We were shocked by this legal violation. With my attorneys assistance, we were able to draft a letter to the condo associations legal counsel and advise them that... they were still responsible for the part of the tree that had fallen on to their property which of course my attorney had advised me to photograph. With my attorneys assistance, we and the condo association were able to come to an agreement on how to share the costs for the trees removal and for the repair of the boundary fence. ARAG and my attorney enabled me to see my way through a stressful situation and bring it to a comfortable conclusion for all parties. I remain a member and I intend to continue. As is the common phrase, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. ARAG allows me to get this prevention in many areas. Christine R. Miami, Florida 18

Quit Claim Deed (and More)

I have been an ARAG member for over 10 years. Although some years I dont use the service as far as actual legal help with a lawyer, I constantly check the website for Do-It-Yourself Legal Documents and updates. Within the past 10 years I have changed my sons last name, created various promissory notes when I have lent money to friends and neighbors, had my will testament, living trust for my children and power attorney set up and I'm only 33 years old. I had a quit claim deed completed. I have been able to learn how to make my own bill of sales for cars that I have sold throughout the years. I learned how to write complaint letters to restaurants and for bad customer service. I have received invaluable information about my questions regarding immigration from a lawyer. I love the ARAG Do It Yourself Legal Documents and Legal Glossary. ARAG has provided me with the knowledge and know how to proceed with general legal matters and have them taken care of. As a supervisor I use the legal documents to enforce my legal rights in writing. I had rented an apartment and sent my landlord letters of repair that if I didnt have ARAG might not have been completed. I feel empowered by ARAG I am no longer being taken advantage of. It has provided me with the tools to become a better person and expand my horizons. Alejandra R. North Lake, Illinois

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Rental Issues
Patricias daughter signed a lease for a condo while in college. The monthly rent of the condo was $900, but Patricia was okay with this as two other girls were going to live there and share the rent. Thus, $300 was very aordable for the three girls. The problems started when Patricias daughter was the only girl to sign the lease.

Three months into the year lease, the two other girls moved out without notice. Since Patricias daughter was the only one to sign the lease, she was responsible for the whole $900 a month rent. Patricia did what she could to help out including cash advances to make ends meet. Patricia called ARAG to nd an attorney who specialized in tenant/landlord laws. After meeting with an attorney only one mile from her work, Patricia was glad to nd out the lease wasnt valid. The attorney helped her write a letter to the owner citing the facts about the lease making it invalid. Thankfully, Patricia and her daughter were not responsible for the remainder of the rent. Patricia and her family are relieved that they got help so fast and that ARAG will be there for her and her family should they need assistance again. Patricia S. Duluth, Georgia

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Separation Agreement
ARAG provided tremendous benets to me during a highly stressful time in my life. In 2006 I was going through a marital separation and had completed mediation about 9 months prior to having the ARAG benets available to me. Our mediation agreement was just sitting there neither my ex-wife nor I had taken the next step to nalize a separation agreement and move on with our lives. Even though we had a mediated agreement and we tried to move to a separation agreement, her attorney wanted to change the terms to better suit her personal needs. I felt like my life was in a complete state of limbo and I didnt know how to move forward. Then I found a great attorney in my area by searching the list of available attorneys on the ARAG site. I met with her and within another 3 months we had completed the terms to my satisfaction and had a completed separation agreement. It truly felt like the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders and the best part was that the entire process was almost free! The cost for the ARAG program per paycheck is extremely low and I can honestly say it was probably the best value Ive ever received for a service that was so important to my life and well being. The ARAG program literally saved me thousands of dollars during this highly stressful time in my life. Thank you ARAG for standing behind me and oering your service. Tim S. Clifton Park, New York

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Trusts
One moment you are a vibrant, hard-working father and husband with responsibilities and dreams ahead of you, and in a single moment your life changes forever. At forty-ve years of age, my husband Greg was diagnosed with sinonasal undierentiated carcinoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of head and neck cancer. During the past six months of undergoing surgery and treatment, we had managed to provide ourselves with a basic will and durable powers of attorney thanks to the assistance of close personal friends. Now we decided it was time to create something more permanent to protect both our children and ourselves legally and nancially. At this point, we contacted an ARAG associated attorney in Woodland, California. As a carpenter and an elementary school teacher, both Greg and myself found the idea of creating a trust and managing all the necessary paperwork to be daunting, especially at this particular point in our journey with cancer. From the rst phone call, our attorney has provided instructive yet delicate guidance throughout this process. While remaining sensitive to Gregs medical and health limitations and working around my own hectic teaching schedule, he has shared his expertise and insight, and has helped us create an irrevocable trust designed to minimize and protect our family as we wait and see what each new day brings. Thank you to my ARAG Attorney and the professionals at ARAG, for keeping us safe during this challenging time! Carol M. Matthews, North Carolina

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Unpaid Trac Tickets

It was the rst week of January, 2008 when I left my wallet in a bus. It contained my Drivers License, credit cards, employee ID and over $250 cash. Adding insult to injury, the DMV refused to give me a replacement Drivers License ID because I was ineligible due to two tickets I received about 15 years ago. One thing led to another; I moved out of state, completely forgetting about tickets, only to nd that the NY DMV did not. I was gravely concerned because public transportation is an issue, I occasionally run errands for my oce and I am a volunteer for emergency disasters so a valid drivers license is required in my position. All of my research for fees showed an average of $700-$900; not including the possible nes. All this, to have a representative and they werent even lawyers. I never thought of ARAG, being a member for so many years because I never had a need. I was delighted to nd that ARAG not only handles trac issues but, their attorneys are located nationally. I called the 800 # and I was immediately sent a list of ARAG attorneys to my email. Before long, I found an attorney close to the city where I received my personal invitation to either pay the tickets or show up at court. My attorney was very professional, courteous, returned calls and was caring. She instructed me on what I needed prior to her appearing for me. My driving records and all other pertinent information were sent to her and as soon as she had the information; she made arrangements to appear and the charges were dropped. I really feel that she did her job very well and if I ever need ARAG again, I feel condent the job will be done conscientiously and in a timely manner. It really pays to be a member of ARAG, they saved me time, money and the most stressful moments melted away. If I ever need legal services again they will be the rst I call, and not the last. Miriam O. San Diego, California 23

Violence (Domestic)
Ten years ago, I had no idea how purchasing my ARAG Legal Plan would protect my life. I began my teaching career in 1998, and my employer oered the ARAG plan as a benet. The intent was to purchase the plan for incidentals such as trac tickets. However, the ARAG plan turned out to be even more valuable.

Shortly after I began my teaching career, I began to experience domestic violence in my marriage. I suered physical harm and was emotionally exhausted. Feeling as if I had no way to pay for a divorce and nowhere to go with my two small girls, I stayed in my destructive marriage. The situation had gotten to a point where I had to move into a battered womens shelter. Finally, I thought I would try to use my plan to help me get out. ARAG proved to be a great decision. I used the plan to locate a participating attorney. The attorney was excellent in working my case, and the attorneys oce took care of all of the ling. All I had to do was get out of my tormenting situation. I do not know what my life would have been like if I did not have the ARAG plan. The ARAG planned helped me get out of a domestic violence situation, and I was able to change my life around for the better. Constance S. Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Will
My wife and I had the mindset that we were too young to have a Will. We have lost people that were close to us but were taking the notion of dying out of our picture. We have two kids and are having fun playing, learning and growing with them. They are our lives. We could not imagine any pain that can come to them, from any bumps or bruises to any loss like one of their parents. My business oered the Legal Plan that included sitting with an attorney to work through a Will. Again we did not really want to work through this process because it is talking about dying for either one of us. We were doing this for our kids. It would hard to go through any death of a parent at any age. My wife lost her Dad but it was at a point where my wife was an adult and had somewhat of an understanding that dying is a part of living. As a child, most of them do not understand that kind of logic. That was one thought for not wanting to go through with getting a Will. We then thought about how much harder it might be if something did happen to us and our kids were not given the proper care or direction in life. We started to think that way and it added more value in getting a Will put together just for our kids future. Nothing may happen to us for our kids to worry about but we can at least have a little bit of comfort knowing that there is one less fear. Geo N. Omaha, Nebraska

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e plore Legal Options

Leslie signed up for ARAG since she rst joined her company. She never knew there was even a legal benet before and thought it would only be used when you were in trouble with the law. However, once she logged on to the ARAG Legal Benet Web Site, she found helpful resources and excellent customer service.

While on the web site, Leslie found information on her credit card debt, patent information and basic information on parking tickets. ARAG also helped Leslie as she thought about divorce. She was embarrassed and ARAG Customer Care Specialists were able to nd the help she needed. Time went by and Leslie decided to stop the ling for her divorce and ARAG helped her understand she was not legally bound to continue with the divorce if she did not want to. ARAG helped Leslie know all the information she needed to make the best and timely decisions for her and her family. And now Leslie and her husband are still happily married with a young son. Leslie S. Moreno Valley, California

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Young Sons Name Change

Y
was submitted.

The father of my youngest son refused to pay child support. One day my youngest son asked, if we were divorced than why was he Rios and we, meaning his brother and I were Roybal. He requested I change his last name. I had the legal insurance and requested a consultation with an attorney. All the paper work

On the day we appeared in front of the Judge, my son was asked what was the reason for his request. He told the Judge that his father wanted nothing to do with him and he wanted to have the same last name as his mother and brother. The Judge asked him if he intended to defraud the government. Not really understanding what the Judge meant by his question the look on his face made the Judge chuckle and he told the court how could an innocent face have bad intentions and the name change was granted. Marietta R. Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Zzzzzs (A Better Nights Sleep)

I contacted ARAG to inquire on estate planning. Im a single mom and it was important to me to set up a plan for my daughter in the event of my death. At 32 years old, it seemed too early to think to be creating a Will when I just had my daughter 5 years ago. However, I knew it was smart to have preparations in place to take care of Kendall and it insured a better nights sleep!

I referenced the ARAG web site, easily found the appropriate contact number and reached a very friendly and helpful ARAG representative. The Rep sent me a list of attorneys within a couple hours. I set an appointment with the attorney close to home. The attorney worked with ARAG to set up my account and payments. The attorney explained the options of Wills, Trusts and plan costs. I felt at ease instantly with the attorney and he made a depressing project an accomplishment Im proud of! Nicole B. Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Legal Term Index A Adoption, 3, 13 B Bankruptcy, 4 C Caregiving, 7 Child Custody, 13 Child Support, 9, 24, 27 Complaint Letter, 19 Consumer Protection, 5, 8, 15 Contractor Dispute, 5 Contract Review, 10 D Divorce, 6, 24, 26 Domestic Violence, 24 Driving Privilege Protection, 23 E Eldercare, 7 Estate Planning, 9, 28 F Follow-up Calls, 4, 8 Follow-up Letters, 8, 15, 18 G Guardianship, 9 H Home Purchase, 9, 10 I Immigration, 11 L Living Will, 14 M Medical Bills, 15 N Name Change, 16, 27 O Obstructing Movement, 17 Online Legal Documents, 7, 19, 26 P Property Protection, 18 Q Quit Claim Deed, 19 R Rental Issues, 20 S Separation Agreement, 21 T Tenant Issues, 20 Trac Tickets, 23 Trusts, 22 W Will, 12, 25, 28

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Insurance products are underwritten by ARAG Insurance Company of Des Moines, Iowa, GuideOne Mutual Insurance Company of West Des Moines, Iowa or GuideOne Specialty Mutual Insurance Company of West Des Moines, Iowa. Service products are provided by ARAG LLC, ARAG Services LLC or Advisory Communication Systems Inc, depending on the product and state. Some products are only available through membership in the ARAG Association LC. This material is for illustrative purposes only and is not a contract. For terms, benefits or exclusions, call our toll-free number.

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ARAG P.O. Box 93180 Des Moines, Iowa 50393-3180 800-247-4184 800-383-4184 TTY 515-246-8710 Fax Service@ARAGgroup.com

www.ARAGgroup.com

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