Best Prepaid Legal Services Of 2024

LegalShield offers both personal and small business plans. The personal plan offers coverage for unlimited matters, although you may only be able to receive help once per issue, based on the attorney’s discretion. Attorneys may provide one hour of legal research per matter and one letter or phone call regarding the matter. This service covers many of the basic personal legal needs, such as estate planning, traffic tickets, tax audits and document review. If the matter can’t be covered in a single call, or if more in-depth services are required, they’re offered at a 25% discount of the attorney’s hourly fee.

LegalShield also offers supplements to their personal plan, which provide additional services and protection for customers in certain situations. They offer a home business supplement, a rideshare driving supplement, and a supplement for gun owners, among others. These supplements are an additional $14.95.

The business plans offer different services at different price points. All of them offer consultations about new legal matters. Some offer collection letters, IRS audit assistance, and document review as well.

LegalShield does not offer a satisfaction guarantee with its prepaid plans, although they do guarantee that the services provided by the plan will be rendered.

Why they’re the best: LegalShield offers customizable legal services at an attractive price point. Although the number of packages and supplements may initially be confusing, they allow LegalShield to provide its customers with exactly the service that they need, without paying for what they don’t need.

The services provided are in line with other full-service prepaid legal offerings, and many of the services that an average individual might need are covered. In addition, LegalShield offers 24-hour emergency service for members who are detained by authorities, in an accident, or in a situation where your rights or personal freedoms are threatened. This is unique amongst the services evaluated, and offers a huge amount of value for people who are shopping for a prepaid legal plan that will provide them with peace of mind.

RocketLawyer offers the ability to have a 30-minute consultation with a lawyer on new matters and a form library with legal forms and guidance on how to fill them out. They also offer a discount on income tax preparation and the ability to ask a question via chat. However, unlike Avvo, RocketLawyer’s chat is private between you and an attorney, so you can ask questions about your own situation.

RocketLawyer does not have an explicit satisfaction guarantee, but they do offer refunds for billing mistakes. It appears that they offer refunds on a case-by-case basis, but you’ll need to speak to customer service directly. They do not offer refunds on business incorporation services, tax preparation services or annual plans that have been in effect for more than 30 days.

Why they’re the best: RocketLawyer offers a lot of the benefits of other services, including DIY forms, direct legal advice and chat with an attorney. They also offer discounts on trademark registrations and LLC formations. If you opt for the annual package, you get a 50% discount over the monthly subscription cost. The discount on income tax preparation alone could cover much of the cost of the service.

LegalZoom’s plan offers 30-minute phone calls with attorneys for an unlimited amount of matters (one call per matter) and access to a library of DIY forms. Business plan members receive additional benefits , including one copyright registration per month.

Why they’re the best: LegalZoom offers a lot of services that are similar to other providers on this list, but they also provide services for authors and content creators. This is the only plan we found that includes a copyright registration every month, and they also have generous legal document reviews that creatives and freelancers may find attractive.

However, note that you have to buy a business plan  to get either of these features. Most creators will find that pricing out of reach. Instead creators can choose the more affordable standalone copyright package for $114 plus fees.

LegalZoom offers a satisfaction guarantee, but it comes with a few caveats. You can contact customer service within 60 days if you’re not satisfied with the service, but this only covers any issues with the service itself—not if you’ve just changed your mind. Any governmental fees paid as a part of the service will not be refunded.

Incfile offers DIY business formation services. They offer a free silver package with the basics, a gold package that includes help filing for an EIN and additional document templates and a platinum package that includes expedited filing and a domain name.

Incfile does not offer a money-back guarantee. This is, in part, because part of the money you pay is used for non-refundable state fees. However, it may be possible to cancel your order if it has not yet gone to the state. There is a $30 cancellation fee in this instance.

Why they’re the best: The tiered service offerings make Incfile an attractive option. You don’t pay for more services than you need, but if you need some additional help, it’s available.

Findlaw offers the major documents needed for estate planning: a last will and testament, a living will and a power of attorney. You can purchase these separately, but the package of all three offers a discount. You can make free changes and revisions to your documents for up to a year.

Findlaw offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Their guarantee states that it applies if you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason. You can request your refund via phone or via webchat.

Why they’re the best: For people looking to set up uncomplicated estate plans, Findlaw is an easy and cost-effective way to complete these documents. You can complete your estate plan in just an hour or two.

Avvo is primarily a lawyer directory, but they also offer the ability to ask legal questions that can be answered by attorneys. These questions are made public, so you can read questions other people have asked—and they can read what you’ve asked. This isn’t a service where you can provide confidential details of your case.

Why they’re the best: If you’re looking for the most affordable service, you can’t beat free. Avvo is great for finding answers to general legal questions, and you might even get an answer to your specific question.