We all know we need to seek legal help whenever we're in real trouble; but what about the everyday business transactions, that done differently might have averted that trouble? The answer most business people give is: "Lawyers cost too much." or "They aren't always available when I need them." Well, there are alternatives that solves both problems called prepaid legal services. Prepaid legal can benefit you whether you are a lawyer looking for more business or a small business owner looking to stay out of trouble. Here are some of the benefits you, as a business person should look for when shopping for these services.

LEGAL CHECKUPS
Most prepaid legal services offer a free three-part service which can be extremely valuable in running your businesses. This service provides free legal help in solving the day-to-day business questions with phone or in-person visits, comprehensive reviews of contracts or other documents, and a letter or phone call from your lawyer to the other party if necessary. Although you may be limited to one free phone call for one problem, the cycle is repeatable for new problems.

TAX ASSISTANCE
The dread of an IRS audit sends shivers up the spine of most of us. Having legal representation could reduce or mitigate penalties and charges that could otherwise break you. Look for a prepaid legal service that offers one to two hours of pre-audit legal advice (when you receive that first notice from the IRS) and up to 50 hours of free representation at an actual audit. Of course you will be expected to pay any fines, charges, back taxes and such.

MOTOR VEHICLE PROTECTION
It doesn't matter how much insurance you have, if you are required to go to court because of a traffic violation, you lose time and money. Look for a plan that pays all legal costs for these minor violations. In addition, the plan you select should defend you at absolutely no cost if the accident caused a loss of life. You will have to pay for paper work, fines and other similar fees, but these are minor compared to the cost of legal defense. Most plans limit this service to two axle business or personal vehicles.

LAWSUIT PROTECTION
The threat of being sued can cause a business persons to panic. Unless the business is large, a lawsuit can cause such harm that the firm may never recover. Most legal service plans will provide a few hours of pre-trial legal assistance, and some will provide from 60 to 300 hours of actual trial assistance (depending on how long you've been enrolled). You will be required to pay the bulk of the pre-trial costs, but even here a good plan should offer you a break in the cost. OTHER LEGAL WORK
Look for a prepaid plan that offers a discount from the standard attorney billing rate for services not covered in the plan. The best deal would come in under $100 an hour, which is far less than the average attorney charges. PLAN COSTS
A comprehensive business plan such as that outlined above should cost you no more than $15 to $25 to enroll and not more than $20 or $30 a month. Although $360 a year may seem a lot, just one visit to an attorney could eat that up, and prepaid plans allow you an almost unlimited access to that same attorney.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Some plans offer you a choice of attorney, some provide a designated firm. In either case, look for a large, experienced and well respected firm. If you use the service as you should, you will get to know your legal firm quite well over the years.