LegalZoom LLC Service Review: My Expert Take on Their Offerings (original) (raw)

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Starting a business can be daunting, and one of the most critical steps in the process is forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC). LegalZoom has emerged as a popular online service that aims to simplify the process for entrepreneurs at $0.

LegalZoom’s reputation is well-known in this field, but it is not evident that it suits your requirements and needs. LLCBuddy team has used LegalZoom’s service to determine whether it is appropriate for your business. Let this LegalZoom review speak for itself so that you have all the necessary information to decide whether their services are the right choice for you.

If you’re not a fan of reading, you can watch this video from us for a quick tour of LegalZoom LLC Services. You can decide whether it is a good choice for your business!

LegalZoom Review: A Quick Summary

The Good👍

The Bad👎

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Overall Rating: 4/5

LegalZoom

What Is LegalZoom Service?

LegalZoom is a popular online legal service that provides various tools and resources to assist in forming and managing businesses. With its user-friendly platform, LegalZoom simplifies creating and maintaining a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

One of the key offerings of LegalZoom is its LLC formation service. Streamlining the process, they free up time for business owners to focus on other aspects of their company. Some of the essential features of their service include:

LegalZoom Pricing and Packages

LegalZoom offers three LLC formation packages to cater to their clients’ varied needs: Economy, Standard, and Express Gold. These packages differ in pricing and the features they provide, allowing customers to choose the one that best suits their business needs.

Package Name Price Attorney Service
Basic $0 + State Fee N/A
Pro $249 + State Fee N/A
Premium $279 + State Fee 30-day subscription

Apart from LLC formation services, LegalZoom also provides a wide array of other legal services including, but not limited to:

It’s worth mentioning that business owners who opt for LegalZoom’s LLC service can benefit from the company’s lifetime customer support. This ensures any questions or concerns are always addressed on time, allowing them to focus on growing their business.

LegalZoom has made a name by offering a convenient and easy-to-navigate platform for various legal services. With its clear pricing structure and diverse offerings, they’ve become a go-to resource for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking legal assistance in their business ventures.

Breaking Down LegalZoom’s LLC Services

When it comes to forming an LLC, many people turn to LegalZoom for assistance. I’ve broken down their LLC services to understand better what they offer and help you decide if it’s the right choice for your needs.

Formation Packages

LegalZoom offers three different packages for LLC formation: Economy, Standard, and Express Gold. Each package includes various features and services depending on your budget and requirements. Let’s examine what each package offers:

legalzoom pricing

Remember that state filing fees are NOT included in the package prices – they vary depending on the state where you’re forming your LLC.

Registered Agent Services

LegalZoom also provides registered agent services at an additional cost. A registered agent is required by law for every LLC and is responsible for receiving important legal documents on behalf of your company. The registered agent service offered by LegalZoom costs $299 per year.

Ongoing Compliance Assistance

Maintaining your LLC requires compliance with state requirements, such as annual reports and business licenses. LegalZoom can help ensure that your LLC remains in good standing by providing compliance assistance. They offer a Compliance Calendar ($69 + state fees) to keep you informed about important deadlines and an Annual Report Filing Service to handle the filing for you.

Operating Agreement

While LegalZoom provides access to operating agreement templates in its formation packages, they also offer an Operating Agreement Preparation and Review Service for an additional fee of $99. This service involves a LegalZoom attorney reviewing your operating agreement to ensure it’s properly drafted and customized to your business needs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of LegalZoom’s LLC formation packages:

Package Price Features
Basic $0 – Standard LLC formation– Name check and business filing– Articles of Organization– Digital Welcome packet
Pro $249 – Everything in the Basic package– Operating Agreement– EIN– Business licenses & permits guide– Financial account authorization letter– Tax & Insurance Guidance
Premium $279 – Everything in the Pro package– Attorney services– Other business services like website, email, etc

When choosing the right package for your LLC formation, consider your business’s specific needs and compare each package’s offerings. LegalZoom’s packages are designed to cater to a wide range of clients, ensuring you can find the ideal fit for your business.

Alternatives to LegalZoom for LLC Formation

While LegalZoom is a popular option for forming an LLC, I’ve discovered several alternatives that are worth considering. Each of these platforms offers different features and pricing structures, so it’s essential to determine which one best fits your business needs. Here are some top alternatives to LegalZoom for LLC formation:

LLC Service Our Rating & Pricing Top Features Learn More
#1 TOP PICK 4.5/5 $0 + State Fees 100% accuracy guarantee Worry-free service Great customer support Learn More
4/5 $0 + State Fees Free LLC Formation Affordable Add-on services Other business solutions Learn More

TailorBrands is one close competitor and an alternative to LegalZoom when it comes to LLC formation. This company is comparatively new and does not provide attorney services. Some key features of this service provider are:

ZenBusiness is an affordable and user-friendly alternative to LegalZoom. Some key features that set this platform apart include:

Incfile is another option to consider when forming an LLC. The company offers many benefits and features, such as:

Rocket Lawyer For those seeking a more comprehensive legal service, Rocket Lawyer is an excellent choice. This platform provides access to:

Platform Base Price Registered Agent Service Processing Time
TailorBrands 0∣0 0∣199/year 5 to 8 business days
ZenBusiness 0∣0 0∣99/year 3 to 5 business days
Incfile $0 Free for the first year 1 to 3 weeks
Rocket Lawyer 99∣99 99∣125/year, with membership 5 to 10 business days

It’s also good to know about traditional alternatives, such as hiring a local attorney or CPA. While these options are often more expensive than online services, working one-on-one with a professional has its advantages:

In summary, each of these alternatives brings unique features, pricing structures, and levels of assistance to the table. To choose the best option for your business, it’s crucial to understand your budget, the level of support you require, and the ongoing responsibilities related to LLC formation. This way, you can make an informed decision that sets your company up for success.

Why Choose LegalZoom for LLC Formation?

When it comes to LLC formation, there are many choices available. LegalZoom has been a go-to option for countless entrepreneurs, and here’s why.

  1. Ease of use takes the forefront when deciding on LLC formation services. LegalZoom offers a user-friendly website and a streamlined process for starting your business. By following their step-by-step guidance, I can now confidently create my own LLC without getting bogged down by confusing legal jargon.
  2. Another vital factor for me is LegalZoom’s affordable prices. They offer multiple packages, with their most basic package starting at just $0 (excluding state filing fees). The transparent pricing structure makes choosing the right option for my business needs simple without being hit by unexpected costs.
  3. While venturing into the world of LLC formation, it was seen that customer support played a significant role in the decision-making process. LegalZoom has an outstanding reputation for its knowledgeable and friendly customer service. They provide email, phone, and chat support, which ensures I can get answers to any questions or concerns quickly.
  4. A major advantage of using LegalZoom is the complementary services they offer alongside LLC formation. These include:
    • Registered agent services
    • Employer Identification Number (EIN) application
    • Business licenses and permits
    • Operating agreements
    • Intellectual property protection

Having all these services in one place can save me time and prevent the headache of dealing with multiple platforms.

In summary, choosing LegalZoom for LLC formation gives me peace of mind knowing I can access a comprehensive range of services, ease of use, and long-lasting customer support. No wonder LegalZoom has been the choice for over 3.6 million customers.

Ease of Use and Platform Navigation

In today’s fast-paced world, ease of use and straightforward navigation plays a crucial role in determining the success of any online service. LegalZoom’s LLC service stands out in this regard. I’ve found that the platform is user-friendly, offering a straightforward and intuitive experience for its customers.

Their website design is clean and professional, featuring concise explanations and a logical layout. LegalZoom has included helpful tooltips throughout the LLC formation process, answering questions and addressing common concerns. These tooltips assist in guiding users through each step, ensuring they’re familiar with the terminology and understand the implications of their choices. The platform’s user interface also features a side-by-side comparison of different LLC packages, making determining which best suits your needs easier.

LegalZoom knows the importance of a smooth onboarding process. When starting an LLC, they’ve implemented an effective questionnaire system that collects the necessary information from users. The questions are clear, concise and avoid legal jargon. If you don’t have an answer, LegalZoom provides an option to save your progress and return later. This flexibility is beneficial when you’re juggling multiple tasks in starting a business.

Another notable aspect of the platform’s navigation is its resource center, which provides vital information regarding LLC formation. This comprehensive knowledge base includes:

Regarding customer support, LegalZoom offers a range of options for assistance. Users can contact their support team via phone, email, or live chat. The platform also provides access to a network of independent attorneys who can guide you on specific legal matters.

LegalZoom’s LLC service delivers an easily navigable and user-friendly platform. The combination of helpful tooltips, a comprehensive resource center, and accessible customer support transforms potentially convoluted processes into a simple, stress-free experience.

Customer Support and Resources

Regarding customer support and resources, LegalZoom offers clients a range of options. I’ll delve into their assistance channels and additional resources to help you decide about LegalZoom’s LLC service.

One notable aspect of their customer support is their extended service hours. LegalZoom’s support team can assist you during normal business hours, late evenings, and weekends. These extended hours ensure you’ll find the help you need, even if you’re working on your LLC documents after traditional business hours.

LegalZoom offers multiple ways to connect with their support team:

In addition to its robust customer support options, LegalZoom provides a wealth of educational resources to help you navigate the LLC formation process. Here are some useful resources you’ll find on their website:

LegalZoom understands that the LLC formation process can be daunting, so they provide support every step of the way. With various ways to connect with their customer support team and a wealth of educational resources, you can feel confident in choosing LegalZoom’s LLC service.

Remember, evaluating your specific needs and preferences is important when selecting an LLC service provider. LegalZoom’s customer support and resources are critical in ensuring their customers have a positive experience and successfully navigate the LLC formation process.

Processing Times and State Filing

When setting up an LLC through LegalZoom, it’s essential to consider the processing times and state filing aspects. In this section, I’ll provide a detailed breakdown of these factors, which can seriously impact the overall experience of forming an LLC.

To begin with, it’s important to understand that processing times vary greatly depending on the state in which you’re forming your LLC. While some states may provide expedited services, others might have a longer standard processing time.

In terms of state filing fees, LegalZoom doesn’t include these fees in its package pricing. You’ll need to pay these fees separately when forming your LLC. To give you an idea of the range, state filing fees can fall between $40 and $500. Some states may also require additional annual reporting fees or taxes.

It’s worth noting that if you choose LegalZoom’s Express Gold package, they’ll prioritize your filing, ensuring the whole process runs as smoothly and quickly as possible. This includes faster document creation and shipping and expedited state filing (where available).

Here are a few more things to keep in mind with state filing:

In conclusion, the processing times and state filing aspect of forming an LLC should be essential when choosing a service provider like LegalZoom. Their two-tiered approach offers flexibility in terms of both processing speed and cost, and they also provide valuable services like name availability checks. However, state filing fees are separate, so be sure to factor them into your overall cost calculations.

LegalZoom’s User Experiences and Reviews

In this section, I’ll discuss LegalZoom’s user experiences and reviews, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect when using their LLC service. Remember that these are the impressions of other people who have used their services.

LegalZoom has amassed many reviews on various platforms, such as Trustpilot, SiteJabber, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Here are some compiled statistics regarding their ratings:

Platform Rating Reviews Count
Trustpilot 4.1/5 19,000+
SiteJabber 3.3/5 640+
BBB A+ rating –

It’s important to note that not all reviews are totally positive. While many users find LegalZoom’s services valuable and easy to use, others have raised concerns and issues that are worth mentioning.

Here’s a summary of what many customers appreciate about LegalZoom:

However, some users have reported negative experiences with LegalZoom as well. Here are some common complaints:

Furthermore, the varied experiences of LegalZoom’s users demonstrate that individual circumstances can greatly influence their satisfaction with the services provided. For instance, people with prior legal knowledge might find the service less valuable, as they could handle the process independently.

To get the most accurate understanding of LegalZoom’s effectiveness for your LLC needs, it’s important to evaluate both the positive and negative reviews. This will ensure you make the most informed decision as you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of using LegalZoom for your LLC formation.

In Conclusion

After thoroughly examining LegalZoom’s LLC service, we’ve reached a clear consensus on what the platform offers. From their pricing structure to the range of services provided, it’s evident that LegalZoom makes setting up an LLC as seamless as possible for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Despite its drawbacks, it can be said that LegalZoom’s LLC service remains a strong choice for entrepreneurs seeking a reliable platform to establish their businesses. The company’s long-standing reputation and efficient services make it an excellent option for those looking to navigate the complex world of LLC formation.