LegalShield Reviews: Pros, Cons, and Best Alternatives

LegalShield is a well-known online legal services platform. Although it doesn’t employ lawyers, it connects you with a local attorney through vetted law firms to help you with whatever legal matter you have.

At a fraction of typical attorney fees, LegalShield allows you to work with lawyers experienced in their respective fields. This guarantees affordable legal advice and proper representation if you go to court.

What We Think of LegalShield

LegalShield is a trustworthy online platform through which you get legal services for yourself and your family or business. Given its emphasis on affordability, it’s encouraging to see that LegalShield designed its plans to cover the most common legal issues.

What Is LegalShield?

LegalShield is an online service that seeks to lower the cost of legal services for individuals and small businesses. To achieve this, LegalShield connects individuals and businesses with vetted law firms that have experience in specific legal fields.

The company was founded in 1972 as Sportsman's Motor Club. In 1976, it changed its name to Pre-Paid Legal, and after a 2011 acquisition, it’s now called LegalShield.

One of the biggest reasons for LegalShield’s popularity is the level of experience that its provider law firms have. Also, since they vet the law firms, the quality of service that its members get is high.

To help its members save even more, LegalShield has negotiated discounted rates for additional legal services and agreed on a 50% discount with big brands like Amazon.

Which Legal Services Does LegalShield Provide?

As one of the best online legal services platforms, LegalShield gives you access to many services through its partner law firms.

Although the finer details of the services depend on where you live or register your business, you’re covered for an unlimited number of legal issues.

Here’s a look at the services you can get for your individual and business needs.

Legal Services for Individuals and Families

Many people avoid lawyers and law firms due to the high cost of engaging their services. Unfortunately, this leads to problems such as signing exploitative contracts, mishandling disputes, and having their rights denied.

The LegalShield services designed for individuals and families are meant to help you get affordable legal services. The specific membership benefits include:

1. Estate Planning

Creating a will helps avoid family disputes after one passes away or becomes incapacitated. With a LegalShield membership, your lawyer will draft the necessary documents and review them annually for free.

This service covers a Standard Will, a Living Will, and a Durable Power of Attorney for you, your spouse, and eligible dependents.

2. Family Law

Whether thinking of marriage, divorce, or child custody, an experienced family lawyer will help you. The law firm you’ll work with can represent you in an uncontested separation, divorce, adoption, and name change.

It’s important to note, however, that this service is only available if your membership has been active for at least 90 consecutive days.

3. IRS Audits

LegalShield’s provider law firms can provide both advice and representation when you’re notified of an impending IRS audit. With a total of 50 hours for consultations and representation, 3.5 hours go to consultations while the remaining 46.5 hours go to trial representation.

Note that you’ll need to contact your provider law firm within 30 days of receiving the IRS audit notification.

4. Trial Defense

LegalShield lawyers will help you with pretrial preparation and trial representation. This service covers you and your spouse.

A noteworthy feature of this service is that the longer you stay with LegalShield, the more lawyer hours you get. From your first to the fifth year of membership, your lawyer hours increase every year from 60 hours to 300 hours.

5. Traffic Tickets

Traffic-related issues are almost unavoidable. Whether it’s a small accident or a license issue, your provider law firm will help you deal with it.

If you’ve suffered property damage due to a car accident and need help collecting the funds, your lawyer can assist if it’s less than $5,000.

6. Residential Loan Services

Buying a home is a big investment and you don’t want to make mistakes that could cost you your home.

LegalShield offers you help in reviewing purchase documents prepared by your bank or seller. You’ll however need to submit the documents at least five days before the closing date.

7. Renters

This covers you when you’re signing a new lease, moving out of a rented home, or in a dispute with your current landlord. Your lawyer will review lease agreements, vendor contracts, communication with your landlord, and more.

Also, if the landlord is violating the terms of the lease or you need to terminate the lease early, your lawyer can help.

8. Landlords

As a landlord, your efforts towards protecting property investments can be hindered by issues like unfair contracts and leases that put unnecessary responsibilities on you.

To avoid these issues, your provider law firm can help you draft legally sound lease documents and even share responsibility for property maintenance.

You can also get advice on how to deal with complaints against a tenant or when thinking of evicting one.

9. Additional Benefits

This personal legal plan comes with some extra benefits. For additional lawyer time, you’ll get a 25% discount off the standard legal fees. You also get 50% off for purchases at Amazon, Costco, and other brands.

Small Business Legal Services

As a small business owner, you have many things to think about. With a LegalShield membership, you can focus on growing your business as LegalShield takes over the efforts of protecting business interests.

Some of the benefits you’ll enjoy are free consultations, legal research, and a 25% discount for matters not covered by your plan.

Other services in this plan include:

1. Debt Collection

One of the advantages of using a lawyer to collect debt is that he can write a debt collection letter on his law firm’s letterhead. Such a letter will have more weight than an email from you.

If your debtors don’t pay and you decide to sue them, then you have a lawyer ready to handle the case. If you win the case, the lawyer will also help you collect the money.

2. Intellectual Property

This service is designed to help you register intellectual property through one of LegalShield’s provider law firms. Your lawyer will help you determine whether you need a trademark, patent, or copyright.

After a successful search, your lawyer will register your IP. If you’re accused of violating someone’s intellectual property or someone violates yours, your lawyer will also be at hand to handle the issue.

3. Civil Litigation

If you need to decide whether to sue or settle a matter out of court, a lawyer will help you make an informed decision. He’ll help you determine the costs involved, how long it might take, and whether you can win the case.

If you’re the one being sued, your lawyer will assess the situation and even try to settle the matter without going to court.

4. Contracts and Agreements

As a business owner, you’ll be signing contracts and agreements with vendors, employees, and other business partners. Without proper legal advice, you might end up with a contract that hurts your business.

To be on the safe side, you might want to first understand the different types of contracts. Then, with a LegalShield lawyer, you can ensure that your contracts are fair and enforceable in case you need to sue the other party.

5. Employment Matters

Whether it’s a hiring and firing decision, an employee compensation issue, or wrongful termination, many things could go wrong in employment.

Some of the issues LegalShield can help you with include:

• Reviewing business documents e.g. employment contracts and employee handbooks.
• Checking whether your employment policy is discriminatory.
• Defending you when taken to court.

Legal Services for Starting a Business

Starting a business can be exciting. Still, the processes involved can easily leave you overwhelmed and stressed. Instead of taking a DIY approach, you can get the “Launch by LegalShield” service and save time, money, and energy.

For $149 plus state filing fees, you get professional help throughout the business registration process and three months of free legal support.

Your LegalShield law firm will help you with the following:

1. Choosing a Business Structure

The first step in starting your business is choosing the business structure that will work best for you.

There are several types of business structures, including sole proprietorship and Limited Liability Company (LLC).

To help you decide, your lawyer will discuss with you issues such as funding, projected business growth, and personal assets invested in the business.

2. Checking the Business Name Availability

You may already have a preferred business name. But is that name being used by someone else?

Since using a business name that’s similar to an existing entity could lead to claims of infringement, you need to first check your name’s availability.

This step will also include registering a DBA (Doing Business As) where applicable, relevant trademarks, and a domain name. To handle the domain bit yourself, you can choose among the best domain registrars and the best web hosting services.

3. Getting Business Licenses and Permits

Depending on the kind of business you’re starting, you may need to get several licenses and permits.

While licenses are mostly about proving your ability to provide services, permits are more about passing inspections.

4. Drafting and Filing the Articles of Organization

This is probably the most intense part of the process because of the amount of paperwork required. This is also the part that most mistakes are made.

Working with a LegalShield law firm will come in handy because they’ll guide you through the process. Here are some of the details you might be asked for.

• The purpose of the corporation.
• The business location.
• Names and addresses of the directors.
• The type of stock held and the number of authorized shares.

If you’re planning to start an online business, then you’ll need more than the legal services provided by LegalShield. For lower costs and higher productivity, you’ll need the best tools to start your online business.

Additional Legal Services Add-ons

In addition to the above services, LegalShield has six add-ons that you can add to your plan for a more comprehensive cover.

Here’s a look at these add-on services.

1. Home Business Supplement

To help you focus on your home business, LegalShield can handle many of the legal issues for you.

For $14.95/month, you get advice on out-of-state legal matters, phone calls made on behalf of your business, and help during IRS audits.

Other benefits of the home business supplement include:

• Debt collection letters: Instead of personally following up with late-paying or non-paying clients, let LegalShield’s law firm handle it. You can have up to four letters written to clients within and outside your state. Additional letters will cost you $75 each.
• Document review: This supplement gives you up to four document reviews per month. Your provider law firm will review your documents and give you the advice you need before signing.
• Designated consultation: Get accessible legal advice on business matters such as copyrights and trademarks, taxes, and antitrust issues. You can reach out to your lawyer for up to three phone consultations per year.

On top of these, if you need extra services not directly covered by the supplement, you can save money with a 25% membership discount.

2. Trial Defense Supplement

Determining how long a trial will last can be difficult. Since lawyer time is limited and you don’t want to pay hourly rates, it’s best to add this supplement to your membership plan.

For $14.95/month, you get extra lawyer time and more of other services including:

• Dispute resolution to prevent lawsuits: Your lawyer can discuss with the aggrieved party and negotiate settlements to prevent the dispute from escalating.
• Document review: To avoid legal minefields when signing contracts, you can ask your lawyer to review the contract and provide guidance.
• Trial defense services: If you’re sued, LegalShield has you covered for both pretrial research and trial defense. Moreover, for every year that you maintain your membership, you get extra lawyer time for trial defense.

You also get other benefits such as 24/7 emergency assistance, demand letters, and help with consumer finance issues like warranties.

Please note that you can only add this supplement to a monthly plan. If you purchase the annual plan, you won’t be able to customize it with any additional supplements.

3. Gun Owners Supplement

Gun ownership and use come with unique challenges. Things get more complicated when you own different types of guns.

For $14.95/month, the gun owners supplement gives you access to experienced gun rights attorneys to help you when:

• You fire your gun in self-defense: You may have shot your attacker in self-defense, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be sued. Fortunately, with 24/7 access to a gun rights lawyer, you can be sure that your right to self-defense will be protected.
• An accidental discharge causes damage or injury: If an accidental discharge from your firearm causes injury, you can call your lawyer and get the advice you need to navigate the issue.
• You need trial defense services: If an accident leads to a lawsuit, you’ll need a lawyer to defend you in court. With the gun owners supplement, you’ll get up to sixty hours covering both pre-trial and trial defense services.
• You need an NFA gun trust: Instead of downloading an NFA gun trust from the internet and risking invalidation, get expert help. For a flat fee of $250, you can get a professionally prepared NFA gun trust that gives you confidence that you’re compliant.

4. Ride Share and Delivery Supplement

Also known as the Commercial Drivers Legal Plan (CDLP), this supplement gives you access to an experienced law firm whenever you need one.

For $32.95 per month, you’ll get help on issues to do with your logbook, expired inspection stickers, and traffic violations. Other services covered include:

• Licensing issues: Whether your driver’s license has been denied or suspended, a lawyer can help you deal with the issue.
• Moving violations: Get access to a lawyer to represent you or your spouse when a licensed motor vehicle is involved in a moving violation. Both personal and commercial vehicles are eligible.
• Tragic accidents: Are you concerned about you or your spouse getting involved in an accident? You can get covered for charges that include accident-related manslaughter and homicide.
• Property damage and personal injury: If you or your spouse gets injured or need to collect property damage after an accident, this supplement has you covered.

If you need help with other legal matters not covered by this supplement, you’ll get a 25% discount on your lawyer’s hourly rate.

5. Trial Defense Business Supplement

There’s always a chance that a business will get into legal problems and be sued.

To avoid the last-minute search for affordable legal services, you can stay ahead with LegalShield’s Trial Defense Business Supplement.

For $14.95 per month, you get trial defense services that include:

• 100 hours of trial defense services: 25 hours will go towards pretrial activities e.g. pleadings and depositions, while 75 hours will be used for the actual trial.
• 25% discount for extended hours: If you need extra hours with your lawyer, you’ll automatically get a 25% discount off the lawyer’s hourly rate.

If you’re in business, especially if partnering with creditors and debtors, you may want to anticipate legal issues and buy this supplement.

6. Business Plus Supplement

LegalShield wants to help businesses to grow. As such, it has partnered with HubSpot to provide businesses with one of the best CRM software tools in the market.

Through the Business Plus Supplement, you’ll be able to track prospect activity, streamline customer communications, and manage marketing campaigns.

Other benefits of the Business Plus add-on include:

• Pipeline management: Add prospects to the CRM and track their movement down the sales funnel. You can assign leads to your sales reps, schedule meetings, and qualify leads to know where to focus your best efforts.
• Email marketing: You can send 2,000+ marketing emails per month. You can create email lists, segment customers, and analyze open and click-through rates to understand your prospects and customers better.
• Customer insights: The HubSpot CRM gathers information about businesses from the internet to give you insights into your customers. This data can help you know which products to market to which prospects and how to competitively price your services.
• Business reports: Generate visual reports that help you quickly understand the state of your business. These reports will help you identify trends and track sales rep performance.

As businesses rush to use data for decision-making, there’s no reason why small businesses should struggle in this area. For an extra $14.95 per month, this Business Plus Supplement will give you readily available data and tools to drive business growth.

If you want the benefits of a CRM without the associated costs, check out our list of the best free CRM software.

LegalShield Pricing

LegalShield has different plans for individuals and businesses. Here are the options for individuals.

The Monthly plan is best if you want to pay the monthly membership fee only when in need of legal assistance. You can also customize this plan at any time with supplements for specific legal matters.

The Annual plan is ideal if your legal matters require ongoing assistance from your lawyer. You also get the additional benefit of paying a discounted rate.

The business plans are split into three as shown below.

The Small Business Legal Essentials plan is best if you need less than ten documents reviewed annually and up to five collection letters per month.

The Small Business Legal Plus plan is best if you need more document reviews per year and up to forty-nine hours of IRS audit legal services.

The Small Business Legal Pro plan is best if you need up to fifteen collection letters per month, ninety-nine hours of IRS audit legal services, and discounts on flat fee services.

For starting a business, you have a package called “Launch With LegalShield” which costs $149 plus state filing fees.

This package covers all the processes of registering your business and three months of legal help at no additional cost. After three months, you’ll decide whether to pay the monthly membership fee to continue enjoying the benefits or not.

Ease of Use

The LegalShield website has a simple design. From details about the available services and pricing to signing up, it’s easy to find what you need.

Once you create your account, you’ll be directed to the dashboard that looks like this:

With its simple user interface, LegalShield makes it easy to manage every aspect of your account.

You can set your preferences and upgrade your subscription from this dashboard without contacting customer support. But if you need any help, just reach out to the LegalShield member services team.

For quick access to legal forms, just click on “Resources” on the left menu.

From here, not only can you download legal forms, but you can also sign up for the perks that LegalShield has negotiated with different brands for its members.

You can also access LegalShield’s services through a mobile app. You can get the app from Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store. Here are some screenshots of the app’s user interface.

Using the LegalShield app, legal services are just a tap away.

Whether it’s reviewing business documents, getting legal advice from your provider law firm, or initiating customer support tickets, the LegalShield app provides the convenience you need.

Customer Support

Like any other business, LegalShield provides customer support through various channels to ensure customers get the legal advice they need.

The company provides three customer support channels. These are phone, chat, and email. To get phone support, you’ll need to call Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST.

For email support, you can expect to get a response within 24 hours. If you have an urgent question, you can just start a chat. You can also open support tickets from the mobile app.

Before contacting customer support, you can check the LegalShield FAQ page just in case your issue has been addressed there. And if you have service complaints, you can let LegalShield know by filling out the attorney service concern form.

Pros and Cons

To quickly decide whether this is the best online legal services provider for your needs, here’s a summary of the pros and cons of LegalShield.

LegalShield Pros

• Affordable services: LegalShield’s plans are very affordable. Not only are its prices lower than some of its competitors, but it also covers a broader range of business and personal legal issues.
• The lawyers are professional and experienced: LegalShield hand-picks the law firms it works with. This enables the company to ensure that users get help from experienced and professional lawyers.
• Serves both individuals and businesses: LegalShield has excellent solutions for both individuals and businesses. With its Home Business supplement, individuals running a business from home can get comprehensive legal help without the usual costs.
• 24/7 emergency legal assistance: You can easily reach a lawyer in case of an emergency. Situations covered include arrest, auto accident injury, being served with a criminal warrant, or if the state wants to take your child(ren).

LegalShield Cons

• No free trial: Unlike some competitors, LegalShield doesn’t offer a way of testing its services before committing to a paid membership.
• No money-back guarantee: LegalShield doesn’t provide any money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the service, the only way out is to cancel your membership.
• It’s difficult to cancel your membership: The process of canceling your membership is not as easy as it should be. You have to contact customer support, follow up, and confirm that your membership has been deactivated.
• Customer support receives mixed reactions: LegalShield reviews by customers show mixed reactions. While some love the experiences they had, others contact LegalShield member services teams to report slow responses to queries.

FAQs

LegalShield Alternatives

Here are four popular alternatives to LegalShield that you can check out.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is a popular online legal service platform that gives you access to lawyers just like LegalShield. There are differences, however, in the type of services offered and costs.

LegalZoom services support you when starting and running a business. Your LegalZoom lawyer will help you form an LLC or corporation, register your intellectual property, and provide tax advice.

For personal protection, LegalZoom services are limited compared to LegalShield. Although LegalZoom has a sole proprietor plan, LegalShield’s Home Business plan is better.

LegalZoom is also more expensive than LegalShield. To its advantage, it provides a free plan and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is a popular LegalShield alternative that offers most of the same services. One major difference though is that you get free help when forming your first LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, or Nonprofit.

Rocket Lawyer also has a 7-day free trial that you can use to test its service or even consult a lawyer and create legal documents.

Although Rocket Lawyer has a lot to offer and is highly rated by its customers, it can be costly compared to LegalShield. It also requires you to provide your credit card details to register for the free trial.

UpCounsel

UpCounsel is an interesting alternative to LegalShield. Instead of paying a monthly fee for access to lawyers, UpCounsel lets you post legal jobs, get proposals, and then hire the lawyers you choose.

Since there are no set fees and you’re supposed to negotiate with the lawyers, the prices can be quite high. To their credit though, these are top-tier lawyers who have been vetted by UpCounsel.

IncFile

IncFile is all about forming and managing your business. If you want to register your business for free, IncFile is the way to go. The only fees you’ll pay are the state filing fees.

With the Gold and Platinum packages, you get extra services such as contract templates, tax consultation, IRS Form 2553, and lifetime company alerts.

With IncFile, you also get a big library of free resources to guide you when planning, forming, and growing your business.

LegalShield Review: The Bottom Line

LegalShield stands out for its accessibility and affordability. Available both on desktop and mobile, the service ranks among the top legal services platforms. The individual plan covers you and your family for issues ranging from traffic tickets to estate planning.

If you’re a business owner, it’ll be nice to have experienced lawyers when starting and managing your business. True to its name, the company is a legal shield for all your legal issues.

Further Reading

• Types of Business Entities
• Best Small Business Software
• How to Start a Business With No Money
• Secrets to Success

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