When it comes to handling legal matters for your personal or business needs, navigating the legal system can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not a legal expert. LegalZoom is one of the most popular online legal service providers designed to simplify the process for users without a law degree. Whether you’re looking to start a business, draft a will, or file for intellectual property, LegalZoom promises to provide reliable services at a relatively affordable price.

But does LegalZoom live up to the hype? In this 2025 update of our in-depth review, we’ll evaluate everything from their pricing and customer support to the user experience and specific features. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of whether LegalZoom is the right option for your legal needs.

Quick Summary

LegalZoom is a well-known online legal service platform that has been in operation since 2001. It specializes in providing a wide range of services for businesses and individuals, including business formation, estate planning, and intellectual property protection. With an easy-to-navigate website and various service packages, LegalZoom aims to make legal processes more accessible and affordable for everyone. However, the cost of some services can quickly add up, especially if you opt for premium packages or add-on services.

Key Service Highlights:

• Business Formation: From LLCs to corporations, LegalZoom simplifies the business formation process, including filing with the state.
• Estate Planning: Offering will and trust services, LegalZoom ensures that users have a comprehensive plan for their estates.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Trademark and copyright registration are available to protect your ideas and creations.
• Legal Consultations: LegalZoom offers the option to consult with licensed attorneys for specific legal advice, making it a more personalized experience.

Pros & Cons

Before diving deeper into the various aspects of LegalZoom, here’s a quick overview of its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface: LegalZoom’s platform is designed with ease of use in mind. You don’t need to be a legal expert to understand how to navigate through the process of forming an LLC, creating a will, or filing a trademark.
• Comprehensive Service Offering: LegalZoom provides a wide range of services under one roof, making it a one-stop-shop for many legal needs. This can be especially helpful for entrepreneurs or individuals who need multiple services.
• Attorney Consultations: Access to professional legal advice from licensed attorneys is available, either as part of certain packages or as an add-on service. This is a key differentiator from many other online legal service providers.
• Reputation: LegalZoom has built a solid reputation over the years, with millions of customers trusting the service for their legal needs.

Cons:

• Pricing: LegalZoom can be expensive, especially when compared to competitors like IncFile and ZenBusiness. While the base fees for services like LLC formation are relatively low, add-ons and additional services can make the total cost higher than anticipated.
• Upselling: Several users report being upsold during the sign-up process, which can be frustrating. You might be offered additional services that are not always necessary.
• Customer Support Issues: Although LegalZoom offers customer support through phone, email, and live chat, some users have complained about the quality and timeliness of the support they received. There are also reports of delays in responses, which can be particularly concerning if you’re working under tight deadlines.
• Limited Personalization: While LegalZoom offers attorney consultations, it’s important to note that the consultations might not be as in-depth or personal as those you’d receive from hiring a law firm directly.

LegalZoom Pricing & Packages

LegalZoom offers several pricing tiers depending on the service you need. Below we break down the costs for the most commonly used services, such as LLC formation, trademark registration, and will creation.

Plan Options:

For LLC formation, the most popular service offered by LegalZoom, you have the following plans to choose from:

1. Economy Package – Starting at $79 plus state filing fees. This is the most basic package, and it includes the essentials for forming an LLC, such as preparing and filing the Articles of Organization.
2. Standard Package – Starting at $329 plus state filing fees. This plan includes everything in the Economy package, plus a business name check and a customized operating agreement. You also get faster processing times for your documents.
3. Express Gold Package – Starting at $349 plus state filing fees. This is the premium package, offering expedited filing, a personalized LLC kit, and a digital LLC membership certificate.

While these prices are competitive for basic LLC services, the added cost of state filing fees and upsells can add to the total cost, making it more expensive than some other services.

Additional Services:

In addition to the basic LLC formation services, LegalZoom also offers a variety of add-ons. Some of the most popular services include:

• Registered Agent Services: This service ensures your business complies with state regulations by acting as a point of contact for legal documents. It costs $249 per year.
• EIN (Employer Identification Number): LegalZoom charges $79 to help you apply for an EIN, which is essential for hiring employees and opening a business bank account.
• Operating Agreement: LegalZoom charges $99 for the creation of a custom Operating Agreement, which is recommended for LLC owners to define the structure and responsibilities of the business.

Additionally, LegalZoom offers services for trademark registration, will creation, and document review, each with its own pricing model. As mentioned earlier, while the prices for individual services might appear low, the total cost can escalate quickly when you factor in add-ons and upsells.

LegalZoom Alternatives

If you find LegalZoom’s pricing a bit high or if you’re looking for specific features that might be more suited to your needs, there are several alternatives you should consider.

• ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness is an affordable LLC formation service that offers comprehensive services, including registered agent services, EIN applications, and annual report filing. The base price for LLC formation starts as low as $0 (excluding state fees), making it a great choice for those on a budget.
• IncFile: IncFile is another popular choice, especially for those who need an LLC formed quickly and at no cost beyond state filing fees. IncFile offers free LLC formation and a solid set of services, including a year of free registered agent service.
• Rocket Lawyer: If you’re looking for more robust legal services beyond business formation, Rocket Lawyer might be a good fit. It offers a subscription model, allowing users to access a range of legal documents and even consult with attorneys for personalized legal advice.

All these alternatives have their own unique features, pricing models, and benefits. Depending on your specific needs and budget, one of these alternatives might be a better fit for you than LegalZoom.

LegalZoom User Experience & Filing Process

One of the key reasons people turn to LegalZoom is the ease of use and the streamlined filing process. Whether you’re creating an LLC or drafting a will, the user experience is designed to be simple and intuitive. Here’s an overview of the general process:

The Filing Process:

1. Select a Service: Start by choosing the service you need. Whether it’s business formation, trademark registration, or estate planning, LegalZoom offers a comprehensive menu of legal services to choose from.
2. Provide Information: You’ll then be asked to provide some basic details. For LLC formation, this might include your business name, address, and details about the LLC’s owners or members.
3. Review & Payment: After completing the questionnaire, you’ll be presented with a summary of the services you’ve selected. At this stage, you’ll also be asked to select any add-ons or premium services. Once everything looks good, you’ll make your payment.
4. Document Preparation & Filing: LegalZoom prepares your documents and, in many cases, submits them directly to the relevant authorities. For business formations, this usually means filing with your state’s Secretary of State.
5. Receive Documents: Once the documents are filed and processed, you’ll receive them by mail or electronically. You may also receive additional services, such as a personalized LLC kit or a certificate of formation.

Overall, the process is quick and efficient, with most users finding that their documents are processed within a week or two, depending on the package and service selected.

LegalZoom Core Services & Features

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the core services offered by LegalZoom.

Business Formation Process

One of the most popular services offered by LegalZoom is its LLC formation package. The process is simple, and LegalZoom provides everything you need to get your business up and running, including:

• Articles of Organization filing
• Operating Agreement preparation
• Name availability check
• Tax ID (EIN) application

LegalZoom also helps with other forms of business formation, such as corporations and nonprofits, though LLCs are the most common choice for entrepreneurs.

Document Preparation & Filing

LegalZoom’s document preparation services include wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. You can customize your documents by answering questions through an online questionnaire. Once completed, LegalZoom files the documents with the appropriate legal entities, ensuring everything is handled according to the law.

Registered Agent Services

To comply with state regulations, most businesses need a registered agent to receive legal documents on their behalf. LegalZoom offers this service for $249 per year. The service ensures that you never miss important legal documents or notices from the state.

LegalZoom Customer Support

LegalZoom provides several methods of customer support, including:

• Phone support: Speak to a customer service representative for help with your legal matter.
• Email support: Reach out with specific questions and get responses via email.
• Live chat: Quickly get assistance during business hours.

However, there are mixed reviews regarding the quality of customer support. While many users have had positive experiences, others have reported delays and issues with unhelpful representatives. If you’re dealing with a time-sensitive matter, it might be worth considering this before committing to the service.

LegalZoom’s Review Ratings from Review Sites

LegalZoom has generally received positive reviews across various platforms, but it’s not without its criticisms.

• Trustpilot: LegalZoom has earned a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on more than 21,000 reviews. Many users appreciate the ease of use, but some mention issues with upselling and customer service.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): LegalZoom is an accredited business with an A+ rating on the BBB. However, there are numerous customer complaints, particularly related to upselling and billing.
• Consumer Affairs: Mixed reviews here as well, with some users praising the service for helping them set up their business or prepare legal documents, while others complain about hidden fees and poor customer support.

Conclusion

LegalZoom is a solid choice for anyone looking to tackle legal matters like forming a business, drafting a will, or protecting intellectual property. Its user-friendly platform and comprehensive service offerings make it an appealing option for non-lawyers. However, the pricing can be steep, especially when you factor in additional services and upsells.

If you’re on a tight budget or prefer a more personalized experience, you may want to explore alternatives like ZenBusiness, IncFile, or Rocket Lawyer. Regardless of your choice, LegalZoom remains a trustworthy option for those who value convenience and simplicity over cost savings or deep legal expertise.

FAQ’s

Is LegalZoom legitimate?

Yes, LegalZoom is a legitimate business with over two decades of experience in providing legal services. It is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and operates in a highly regulated industry.

How long does it take to form an LLC?

The timeline depends on the state and package chosen, but in general, LLC formation through LegalZoom can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Does LegalZoom offer attorney consultations?

Yes, LegalZoom offers access to licensed attorneys for consultations. Some packages include consultations, while others offer it as an additional service.