Many startups and businesses often require legal assistance, especially in their initial stages. Engaging a dedicated business attorney can be financially challenging for those on a tight budget.
Fortunately, reliable online legal service providers offer cost-effective access to various legal assistance. They do everything from simple tasks like drafting a will to more complex endeavors like business incorporation.
We have compiled and evaluated six top online legal service providers to assist you with your business's legal requirements.
1. Rocket Lawyer
BEST LEGAL SERVICES OVERALL
If traditional online legal services haven't fulfilled your requirements, Rocket Lawyer presents the next level of assistance.
Rocket Lawyer offers comprehensive legal services tailored to the needs of individuals and small businesses. They provide two membership plans or the option to purchase specific services as needed.
Membership benefits include creating and signing legal documents, and a 30-minute consultation with an attorney for each new legal matter.
Also, they have a seven-day trial option with the flexibility to cancel at any time before the next billing cycle, and discounted rates for hiring an attorney from their network.
Key Features:
Cost: Memberships are available at $39.99 per month or $239.99 annually. Documentations are priced at $39.99 and 30-minute attorney consultations at $59.99.
Free Trial offer: Rocket Lawyer offers a 7-day free trial, allowing users ample time to evaluate its features, interface, and service before making a commitment.
Document Defense: If someone disagrees with the contract terms, users can get legal help. An attorney will write a demand letter on behalf of users to persuade others to accept the contract.
Customer Support: Support options include chat, FAQs, email, and telephone assistance, available Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT.
Specializations/Additional Features: Additional features include Rocket Tax: tax preparation services, access to a lawyer directory, a legal dictionary, legal guides, developer APIs, and access to an attorney network.
Pros:
- An extensive repository for legal materials.
- Provides both membership plans and individual services.
- Members receive up to a 40% discount on fees when hiring an on-call attorney.
- Free seven-day trial.
Cons:
- Individual prices for legal documents can be costly.
- With basic membership, consultations with lawyers are restricted to 30 minutes per issue.
- No weekend support.
- Too complex for those with basic requirements.
2. Avvo
BEST FREE ADVICE
Avoid the frustration of paying for legal advice that doesn't address your needs by turning to Avvo, an online directory of lawyers and a prime destination for free legal guidance.
With profiles for up to 97% of licensed lawyers in the United States, Avvo offers insights such as reviews, practice areas, license status, and professional background.
Avvo's Q&A board provides advice every five seconds, typically within 12 hours. To seek assistance on Avvo, simply complete an online form with your question, pertinent details, and location.
Key Features:
Avvo Profiles: Avvo creates profiles for lawyers using publicly available information, even if the attorney hasn't signed up which can provide valuable insights for users to make informed decisions when selecting a lawyer.
Rating: Each attorney on Avvo is given a rating from 1 to 10, determined by Avvo based on factors like education, experience, peer recognition, disciplinary status, and customer reviews.
Fair Search Results: Avvo's search function allows users to find lawyers based on specific criteria, providing a list of attorneys who meet their needs.
Case Distribution Breakdown: Users can also see the types of cases each attorney works on and the percentage breakdown, helping them find a lawyer with relevant experience for their particular legal issue.
Pros:
- Can get advice from multiple lawyers by posting your question.
- Most responses are provided within 12 hours.
- No additional charge for follow-up questions.
- Offers a nationwide directory of attorneys to help you find the right legal representation.
Cons:
- Less privacy as questions are visible to all users.
- Limited to general information.
3. LegalSheild
BEST FOR ONLINE LEGAL DOCUMENTS
LegalShield offers legal service plans for individuals and businesses starting at just $29.95 per month, covering most common legal needs for families and small companies.
These plans cover a wide range of basic legal needs, including unlimited consultations, legal document reviews, estate planning services, and representation for various legal matters such as traffic violations and family law.
Key Features:
Fast Online Legal Service: LegalShield offers a swift online legal service that promptly connects users with attorneys with a response time of 4 hours or less. Regardless of the time, users can access local attorneys 24/7.
Cost: The Personal and Family plan is available for $29.99 per month ($24.99 per month with an annual subscription). For businesses, LegalShield offers three plans: Essential at $49 per month, Plus at $99 per month, and Pro at $169 per month.
Unlimited Consultations: Unlike other online legal services that limit consultations based on payment plans, LegalShield provides unlimited consultations across all subscription tiers.
Pros:
- Live chat support and emergency consultations.
- Budget-friendly options are available for both consumers and businesses.
- No commitment is required with LegalShield; there are no long-term contracts.
Cons:
- Individual legal services cannot be purchased separately.
- Certain business legal services necessitate the purchase of a supplemental package.
- There is no provision for a free trial.
4. UpCounsel
BEST FOR OUTSOURCING LEGAL OPERATIONS
Whether you need a one-time private legal consultation or a comprehensive freelance legal unit for your business, UpCounsel provides solutions for various needs.
UpCounsel offers a unique approach to online legal services, acting as a platform that connects businesses with attorneys from established law firms.
Users begin by outlining their legal requirements, including timelines, budget considerations, and desired expertise areas.
Key Features:
Message Management: UpCounsel's message management feature allows you to efficiently organize information by enabling you to send, receive, and manage messages.
Free Document Storage & E-Signature: An infinite amount of documents can be stored and categorized by users. This tool keeps your documents organized and easily available to your team.
Send and Receive From Your Inbox: You can conveniently send and receive messages using your preferred email client, such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and more.
Pros:
- Matches attorneys from traditional law firms with small businesses.
- Adaptable prices
- No unstated costs
- Free legal consultation
- Excellent for sporadic legal consultations
Cons:
- Legal services may cost more than those offered by rival providers.
- Possibly unsuitable for companies with basic legal requirements.
5. ZenBusiness
BEST FOR BUSINESS FORMATION
ZenBusiness stands out in the realm of business building and development services, despite being a newer company compared to its competitors.
It surpasses others with its competitively priced packages and superior customer service. ZenBusiness offers users the flexibility to tailor their options according to their specific needs, unlike bundling legal and business support services.
Key Features:
Paperwork related to EINs and the IRS: ZenBusiness helps entrepreneurs obtain their EIN (Employee Identification Number) from the IRS, which is essential for opening a separate bank account and keeping personal and business finances separate.
Worry-Free Compliance: ZenBusiness ensures worry-free compliance by handling all necessary annual reporting obligations and documentation, preventing penalties and maintaining liability insurance for your company.
Specializations/Additional Features: ZenBusiness offers tools to calculate business startup costs, access small-business grants, utilize a business plan template, create websites, etc.
Pros:
- Numerous possibilities for purchasing so you can select just the services you require.
- Clear and concise costs for legal and other business-related services.
- For $199 per year, takes care of all business compliance requirements.
Cons:
- Buying several different services raises the total cost.
- An Employer Identification Number (EIN) costs $99 to obtain.
6. Bizee
BEST FOR STARTUP BUSINESSES
Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, is the best online legal service to guide startups through every stage of growth.
Bizee provides three packages: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Pricing depends on Bizee's service fee combined with state filing fees. The total cost is determined by the chosen entity type and the state of business registration.
Key Features:
Cost: The cost of three LLC formation plans ranges from $279 plus state fees (Platinum) to state fees only (Starter); additional legal and business services cost from $299 plus filing fees for trademark registration to $90 per month for bookkeeping and accounting.
Taxes: Offers unlimited tax consultations, quarterly bookkeeping, business tax return preparation, mobile account access, and a startup call for clients.
Services: The services that Bizee provides include LLC, S Corp, C corporation, and nonprofit business formation options. They also offer virtual addresses, DBA and fake name statements, annual reports, and trademark registration services in addition to registered agent services.
Pros:
- Prices range from zero to about $400, providing a wide range of flexible choices.
- Offers free registered agent services for a full year.
- A clear and easy-to-use interface for services
Cons:
- State fees are not included in the free LLC filing.
- Limited hours for phone assistance.
- Certain states have greater fees than others.
