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LegalZoom is one of the oldest and best-known online legal services, founded in 2001 to make routine legal tasks doable without hiring a firm. It handles business formation (LLCs, S-corps, C-corps), registered agent service, trademark and copyright registration, wills and living trusts, and a library of contract and agreement templates. In recent years it has layered AI-assisted document drafting and Q&A on top of its guided workflows to speed up the paperwork.
The pitch is convenience and price relative to a traditional attorney, not free service. LegalZoom competes with newer, often cheaper formation specialists like ZenBusiness, Bizee (formerly Incfile), and Rocket Lawyer — the last of which bundles unlimited documents and attorney access into a flat subscription. LegalZoom’s edge is brand recognition and breadth: it covers business, estate, and intellectual-property needs under one account.
Importantly, LegalZoom is a technology company, not a law firm. For actual legal advice it connects you to independent attorneys through paid plans and consultations.
Key Features
- LLC and corporation formation in all 50 states
- Registered agent service and compliance reminders
- Trademark and copyright registration
- Wills, living trusts, and estate-planning documents
- AI-assisted contract and agreement templates
- On-demand attorney advice through subscription add-ons
Pricing
- Business Formation: Base filing from $0 plus mandatory state fees; higher tiers add expedited processing and extras
- Attorney / Legal advice plans: Roughly $10–$40 per month for document review and attorney Q&A
- One-off services: Flat fees for trademarks, wills, and specific filings
Best For
Founders, freelancers, and individuals who want to form a business or handle a standard legal document without a lawyer’s hourly rate — and who value a familiar, all-in-one platform over the absolute lowest price.
Limitations
The advertised low prices climb quickly once required state fees and recommended add-ons (registered agent, expedited filing, operating agreements) are included. Because it isn’t a law firm, the base product offers no legal advice — you’re filling in templates. For complex or high-stakes matters, a real attorney is still the safer route, and budget filers can often go cheaper elsewhere.
