Zoom legal services8/7/2023 ![]() However, as the attorney began asking Kristen about her mother’s estate, it became clear that the will was problematic. The will appeared professional, had well written clauses, and was executed properly. Her mother passed and she needed help probating a will that her mother prepared using LegalZoom. When Kristen sat down with a lawyer, she told him that her mother’s estate was very simple and she was looking to save some money by creating this online will. They Could Cost More Money in the Long Run These type of issues make it more difficult to probate the document you paid for. ![]() Many times clients bring a document they downloaded offline and it is not properly witnessed or is missing important signature pages. In certain states, your revocable trust also needs to witnesses to be there when you sign the document. ![]() For example, a will must have two witnesses and you ought to have a self-proving affidavit attached to the will. If you have an online company prepare a will, trust, or other legal document, it is solely up to you to make sure it is executed properly. You Are Responsible for Properly Executing the Document Some companies even have a network of live lawyers you can call and speak with, but of course you do not develop a relationship with that lawyer, you pay extra, and your time with that attorney is limited. They recommend speaking with an attorney if you have legal questions. Here are some of the reasons why you should think twice before using these companies: They Are Not LawyersĪll online companies, from LegalZoom to Rocket Lawyer, state clearly that they are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice. While online legal service companies may be cheaper and produce documents almost instantaneously, they do have major drawbacks. A contract from one of these companies could suffice. Or let’s say you need to hire a landscaper for your house and want a basic contract. For example, if you are headed out of the country on a trip and want a basic will in place, an online form might be a decent option. If you are in a pinch and need a form quickly, these documents can suffice. If You Need a Document ImmediatelyĪnother advantage of online legal services is that they can immediately provide you with basic contracts, wills, and other such forms. They don’t ask you pertinent questions that can substantially impact your estate plan and they don’t help you execute them correctly. The real reason is that these online forms aren’t humans. It’s not that the actual wording of the will is bad. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to correct online will forms that clients brought to me. ![]() Remember: you generally get what you pay for. Does this mean that you will be handed a will that is as good as any will prepared by a competent Clarksville estate planning attorney? No. Attorneys generally cannot compete with that price. In some scenarios you can create a basic will for less than $100. The primary advantage that online services have over traditional lawyer is that they are cheaper – way cheaper. Here are two primary reasons why these online services might work for you: Cheaper Legal Services But the true, unbiased answer is it depends on what you want to accomplish and what your budget is. There are genuine reasons why you should not hire these companies. And to a large extent, I agree with them. So should you use these popular types of online services? If you ask Google this question, you will find many lawyer blogs bemoaning companies like Legal Zoom and Rocket Lawyer. Are Online Legal Service Providers Worth It? ![]() The consumer logs onto their website, answers check-the-box questions, a few fill in the blanks, and boom – their online will, contract, or LLC is created. These companies promote online document creation for wills, trusts, contracts, and business formations. And to a large extent, they have been successful in doing so. Companies like LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer have sought to provide an alternative to traditional lawyers. But with the advent of the internet and the forethought of savvy entrepreneurs, the legal marketplace has changed. If you need a contract prepared, you hire a lawyer. What about the legal field? For decades, even centuries, the practice of law has really not changed all that much. Even Amazon, which has been around since the 1990s, has become a major disrupter in the brick and mortar retail industry. Uber has changed the way we get around town. Airbnb is now an alternative to traditional hotels. In the past ten years, we have seen market disruptions across several industries. ![]()
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