Starting a business or handling legal paperwork can be overwhelming. Whether it’s forming an LLC, writing a will, or filing a trademark, most people don’t want to deal with complicated legal language or pay a lawyer hundreds of dollars per hour. That’s where LegalZoom comes in.

In this updated 2025 review, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about LegalZoom—its services, pricing, pros and cons, how it works, what customers think, and how it compares to other options out there. Let’s dive in.

Quick Summary

LegalZoom is one of the most popular online legal service providers. It’s helped over 4 million people with everything from starting businesses to preparing wills, setting up trusts, and protecting intellectual property.

What makes LegalZoom appealing is that it offers legally reviewed documents and helpful guidance, all without having to meet with a lawyer in person. It’s not a law firm, but it works with licensed attorneys in all 50 states to review and assist with your documents—if you want that extra help.

If you’re looking for convenience, name recognition, and a wide variety of legal services all in one place, LegalZoom might be a good fit for you. But is it worth the money? Let’s explore.

Key Service Highlights:

• Business formation services: LLCs, Corporations, DBAs, Nonprofits
• Estate planning: Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney
• Intellectual property: Trademarks, Copyrights
• Legal subscriptions: Ongoing attorney consultations
• Registered Agent service
• Legal forms and templates
• 60-day money-back guarantee

Pros & Cons

Let’s break down what people love—and don’t love—about LegalZoom.

Pros:

• User-friendly platform: You don’t need to be a lawyer to figure it out. The process is clear and easy to follow.
• Well-established company: Over two decades in business with millions of users.
• Wide range of services: You can get everything from a will to a trademark in one place.
• Legal subscription options: If you want ongoing legal help, they offer that too.
• Satisfaction guarantee: You have 60 days to get your money back if you’re not happy.

Cons:

• More expensive than competitors: Some alternatives offer the same services at lower prices.
• Upsells during checkout: The base package is cheap, but expect lots of offers to “upgrade” your order.
• Customer service can be hit or miss: Some users report excellent support; others say they waited too long for help.
• Slower processing for basic plans: If you choose the cheapest plan, expect it to take longer to get everything done.
• Registered Agent service is pricey: You can find the same service for less elsewhere.

LegalZoom Pricing & Packages

LegalZoom offers a range of services with different pricing tiers. Some prices are clear upfront, while others depend on your state or specific needs. Let’s look at the general costs for their most popular services.

Plan Options:

LLC Formation:

1. Basic Plan – $0 + state filing fee

• Includes name check, articles of organization, and digital welcome packet.
• No extra documents, no Registered Agent.

2. Pro Plan – Around $249 + state filing fee

• Includes operating agreement, EIN (tax ID), business licenses guide, and more.
• Faster filing than Basic plan.

3. Premium Plan – Around $299 + state fee

• Includes everything from Pro Plan, plus a consultation with a business attorney and unlimited 30-minute calls for the first three months.

Note: State filing fees can range from $50 to $500 depending on your state.

Additional Services:

• Registered Agent – $249 per year
• Trademark Registration – Starts at $599 plus federal filing fees
• Wills & Trusts – Wills start around $89, Trusts range from $279 to $499
• Power of Attorney – Starts at around $35
• Business Legal Plan (Legal Protect) – Around $49/month for ongoing attorney advice
• Tax & Accounting Support – Add-ons available during checkout
• Copyright Filing – Around $114 plus federal filing fee

These add-ons can make your total cost rise quickly, so read carefully before you confirm your order.

LegalZoom Alternatives

LegalZoom isn’t the only player in the online legal service space. Here are a few notable alternatives and how they compare:

1. ZenBusiness – Offers LLC formation starting at $0 + state fees. Known for being affordable and straightforward. Their Registered Agent service is also cheaper.
2. Northwest Registered Agent – Focuses on business formation and privacy. Their customer service is highly rated, and they don’t push upsells.
3. Rocket Lawyer – Similar to LegalZoom but leans more on monthly subscriptions. Good for people who need frequent legal help.
4. Incfile – Offers LLC formation for $0 + state fee, with a free year of Registered Agent service. Good value for startups.
5. Trust & Will – Specializes in estate planning. Easier and more modern interface for creating wills and trusts.

If cost is your biggest concern, ZenBusiness or Incfile might be better choices. But for convenience and name recognition, LegalZoom holds its own.

LegalZoom User Experience & Filing Process

LegalZoom’s platform is one of its biggest strengths. Whether you’re setting up an LLC or drafting a will, the steps are broken down clearly and feel manageable. The site asks you a series of questions, and your answers are used to generate the legal documents.

The downside? As you go through the steps, you’ll encounter several optional upgrades. For example, while applying for an LLC, you’ll be asked if you want to add Registered Agent services, an EIN, compliance alerts, or even legal consultations. Each of these adds to your bill, so the “$0 formation” can quickly climb past $300.

Once you’ve completed your order, turnaround time depends on the package you chose. The Basic plan might take 2–3 weeks. Premium plans are processed much faster—sometimes in just a few days.

The dashboard also lets you track your progress and access your documents anytime, which is a nice feature.

LegalZoom Core Services & Features

Let’s explore the main services LegalZoom offers in more detail.

Business Formation Process

LegalZoom helps you form a wide range of business entities, including:

• LLCs
• S Corporations
• C Corporations
• Nonprofits
• Sole Proprietorships (via DBA)

The process includes checking your business name’s availability, preparing the Articles of Organization, filing with the state, and offering extra tools like operating agreements and EINs.

Document Preparation & Filing

LegalZoom offers hundreds of ready-to-use legal documents. These include:

• Business contracts
• Real estate agreements
• Lease forms
• Employment contracts
• Non-disclosure agreements
• Loan agreements

You answer questions in plain English, and LegalZoom prepares the document for you. If you subscribe to their legal plan, an attorney can review it too.

Registered Agent Services

Every LLC or corporation needs a registered agent—someone who receives legal papers on your behalf. LegalZoom offers this service for $249/year.

This includes:

• Legal document handling
• Privacy (they use their address, not yours)
• Compliance reminders for annual reports

It’s convenient, but not the cheapest. Many competitors offer this for $99–$150.

LegalZoom Customer Support

Support is available by phone, email, or live chat.

• Phone hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST; weekends 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
• Live Chat: Often quicker than calling.
• Email response time: Usually within 24 hours.

Customer reviews are mixed. Some people praise the professionalism and helpfulness of the staff. Others say they waited too long to get help or had trouble canceling subscriptions.

A few people mentioned receiving sales calls after using the service, which was a turn-off for them.

LegalZoom’s Review Ratings from Review Sites

Here’s a snapshot of LegalZoom’s reputation across various review sites:

• Trustpilot – Around 3.7 out of 5 stars. Mixed reviews. Many love the ease of use, but others complain about unexpected charges.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) – A+ rating, though there are hundreds of customer complaints (mostly around refunds or delays).
• Consumer Affairs – Generally positive reviews, especially for estate planning services.
• Reddit Discussions – Highly varied. Some users had smooth experiences; others called it overpriced and overly automated.

One common theme is that customers who understand what they’re buying and read everything carefully tend to have a better experience.

Our Verdict on LegalZoom

LegalZoom offers an easy and reliable way to handle common legal tasks without visiting a lawyer. It’s especially helpful for new business owners, people creating basic estate plans, and those who just want legal peace of mind without spending a fortune.

However, it’s not perfect. The pricing can be high once you add extras, and some users feel misled by the upsells. The Registered Agent service is also more expensive than it needs to be.

So, who is LegalZoom best for?

• First-time entrepreneurs
• People who want legal guidance without hourly lawyer fees
• Anyone looking for an all-in-one legal service platform

But if you’re on a tight budget, or you prefer more personal attention, other services like ZenBusiness or Rocket Lawyer might fit better.

Final Thoughts:

LegalZoom is not the cheapest or the fastest option out there—but it’s safe, easy to use, and covers just about everything the average person or small business owner needs. If you go in with clear expectations and don’t mind a few upsells, you’ll likely find it to be a useful service.

Still unsure? Try the basic services first. If you’re happy with the experience, you can always expand later.

Let me know if you’d like a version of this tailored to a specific use case—like estate planning or trademarks—or translated into another tone or language!

FAQs

Is LegalZoom a law firm?

No, but it works with independent licensed attorneys to review documents if you want extra help.

Is LegalZoom legit?

Yes. It’s been around since 2001 and has served over 4 million customers.

How long does it take to form an LLC with LegalZoom?

It depends on the plan you choose. Basic plans can take 2–3 weeks. Premium plans are faster, sometimes just a few business days.

Can I get a refund from LegalZoom?

Yes, they offer a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.

What’s included in the Legal Protect plan?

It gives you access to a licensed attorney for unlimited 30-minute consultations, document reviews, and legal guidance. Costs around $49/month.

Are LegalZoom’s documents legally binding?

Yes, they’re created to comply with your state’s laws. However, for complex issues, it’s always smart to have a lawyer double-check.