Gone are the days when hiring legal services cost businesses thousands of dollars a year. Today, the same services are available for a fraction of the cost, with much greater flexibility and the convenience of online access. Online legal service providers are enabling even small businesses to meet their legal requirements, comply with regulations, and file necessary documents on time without breaking the bank.
From membership-based services to networks of individual attorneys, there is fierce competition in this industry. Small businesses looking to save on legal fees often find solace in these online legal service providers. To be successful, make sure the service you hire is reliable. Look for a company that offers the services you need, has competitive prices, efficient turnaround times, and provides the legal education resources you need.
If this sounds too complicated, check out our recommendations for the best online legal service providers of 2023.
Top 10 Online Legal Service Providers and LLC Registration
ZenBusiness simplifies business formation by offering excellent products, services, and support every step of the way. This service uses technology and automated processes to provide entrepreneurs with a fast and affordable way to register and manage businesses. Over 50,000 new businesses have already trusted ZenBusiness to help them form in 2020.
Its comprehensive platform makes it easy to access legal documents, such as EINs and operating agreement templates, all in one place. As an added bonus, all ZenBusiness plans include a registered agent service that meets all the legal requirements set by your state.
This, along with its 100% accuracy guarantee, makes ZenBusiness the best choice for business formation. We’re confident that it will help you get your business up and running quickly.
PROS
- Live Support
- 100% Accuracy Guarantee
- Accelerated and Expedited Filing Options
- Initial Pricing with No Hidden Fees
CONS
- No One-Time Cancellation in Every State
- Lack of Application Options for For-Profit Organizations
This year, Entrepreneur Magazine named Incfile one of America’s 360 Best Startups, and it lived up to the hype. The $0 + state fee initial fee is a huge advantage, but the benefits outweigh this low price. Whether you’re forming an LLC, S corporation, other type of corporation, or nonprofit, Incfile is for you. All plans include name verification, product shipping, one year of free registered agent service, online order tracking, and free business tax advice. Plus, orders are processed the next business day, and you’re promised lifetime customer support and lifetime notifications, so you never have to worry about how, when, or where to ship anything.
If you’re just starting your new business, Incfile has checklists for every step of the process, including business license requirements and startup guidelines. The service is completely transparent, and you’ll always know what’s going on, what’s coming, when, and what to expect next.
PROS
- Online access to documents.
- Lifetime notifications and customer support.
- Attractive pricing.
CONS
- Additional features require additional fees.
- Less informative for existing businesses.
Here’s something you probably didn’t expect from a legal services provider. Inc Authority will help you form your limited liability company or corporation for free. You read that right. Inc Authority offers this service for free. It includes a 5-point name check, preparation and filing of all incorporation documents, registered agent service for your first year of business, secure and accessible digital storage of all your initial documents, digital delivery, and business checking accounts. It also includes preparation and filing of the S Corporation Election Form (Form 2553), IRS customer service, INC CARE by email or phone, tax planning advice, and business financial analysis.
It’s too good to be true. It is. Inc Authority provides these services as a goodwill gesture. Of course, other paid services are also available. Operating agreements and full bylaws, company records and seals, initial meeting minutes and resolutions, property certificates, IRS Executive Identification Number (EIN), tax advice, business license report, website domains, business credit advice, and Dun & Bradstreet registration are just a few of the services available with a paid plan.
PROS
- Free LLC and corporation formation
- One year of free registered agent services
- Upgrade options available upon request
CONS
- Calling is recommended for expedited scheduling and pricing.
- Not available for international businesses.
Swyft Filings is a leading legal services firm offering a wide range of legal services at a price significantly lower than the cost of hiring an attorney. Their free basic plan offers a variety of legal services, including articles of incorporation, filing with the Secretary of State, free filing of the articles of incorporation, online access to your incorporation documents, and customer support via phone or email.
You’ll also get a free 30-minute business tax consultation with an attorney and ComplianceGuard notifications. This incredible suite of services would cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars through traditional legal channels. More advanced plans include additional services such as obtaining your federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), as well as customized LLC operating agreements, special banking resolutions, electronic delivery of government documents, a personal digital corporate package, and business website and hosting services. The plan includes free websites.
PROS
- Offers registered agent services at a discounted rate.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- Form a corporation or LLC for free.
CONS
- Registered agent services are not included in the LLC formation program.
- Only in 2012.
Northwest Registered Agent streamlines the process and offers jargon-free corporate, privacy, and data security guides. The goal is to make business easier for everyone, including foreign company founders looking to incorporate in the U.S. They are here to help you fill in the gaps and get your business up and running smoothly, especially with paperwork and travel. They are a practical partner for new and existing businesses, whether it’s preparing annual reports or forming limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, or nonprofits. If you use Northwest to register your business, you’ll get free registered agent services for the first year. Each service is priced individually, so there are no subscription plans, and you’ll never pay for the services you need.
You’ll also find excellent customer service for U.S. residents and foreign business owners looking to form an LLC in the U.S. Customer service agents are easily accessible by phone or email, and their response time is up to 24 hours.
PROS
- Incorporate and get a free year of registered agent service.
- In-house customer service from a dedicated team of experts.
- Small businesses buy small businesses.
CONS
- No support for sole proprietorships or partnerships.
- Lack of customer reviews (e.g., no reviews on Trustpilot).
For businesses small and large, LegalZoom helps anyone looking to form an LLC. From tax filing, federal tax ID registration, and business licenses to legal advice and assistance from independent attorneys, LegalZoom offers a variety of services at very affordable prices.
PROS
- Fixed fees
- Simple forms
- Wide range of services.
CONS
- Does not offer international coverage.
Rocket Lawyer brings a modern twist to legal services. Rocket Lawyer offers businesses that are confused and overwhelmed by legal issues a comprehensive, well-explained, and easy-to-use system to manage all their legal requirements independently. Whether you need to draft legal contracts, form a limited liability company, register your business, or draft legally binding business agreements such as confidentiality agreements or liability forms, Rocket Lawyer makes it as easy as possible for you. Online.
And the best part is that by doing it yourself, you have two major advantages. First, you get your documents immediately. As soon as you fill in the details, your documents are instantly prepared and available for immediate download, distribution, and printing. A sensational recovery moment. Second, you will pay hundreds of dollars less for your services by eliminating traditional legal fees. This is a new era of business legal documentation, so contact Rocket Lawyer today and find out how easy legal services can be for modern business owners like you.
PROS
- Document protection connects you to legal protection.
- Lawyers demand fast and reliable answers.
- Instant creation of legal documents.
CONS
- Legal documents filed independently.
- No prerequisites for lawyers.
Do you need help with filing legal documents? Or maybe you are still in the planning stages of starting your company and need to understand the different types of companies and their advantages. No matter what stage of the process you are in, one company can help you with everything: MyCorporation. MyCorporation offers legal services tailored to all business needs, from company formation and everything related to it, such as founding documents, articles of association, model protocols and share certificates, to simpler tasks such as finding a business name, MyCorporation is the ideal solution for you.
MyCorporation also offers practical features for businesses. For example, you’ll appreciate the extensive document storage for securely storing confidential documents online, as well as annual reports on company location, current contact information, and business activities. Automatic updates make these tedious but important tasks a breeze. Discover today what MyCorporation can do for your startup and finally focus on what really matters.
PROS
- Over 20 years of experience with over 1 million clients
- Professional advice for new and growing businesses
- Better Business Bureau A+ rating
CONS
- The basic plan leaves a lot to be desired
- The basic plan does not include registered agent services
MyCompanyWorks provides legal services for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the United States. If you’re starting a new company, you can streamline the registration process with MyCompanyWorks. You’ll also get a free domain name and one year of web hosting.
For established businesses, MyCompanyWorks ensures your business continuity by subscribing to the Premium service. This includes document management, solution management, and more.
PROS
- Deadline reminder notifications
- Ideal for SMEs and entrepreneurs.
CONS
- Does not offer services for individuals or families.
Legal Nature is your source for fast, reliable, and easy legal services. From forming limited liability companies and corporations to personalized services like wills, purchase agreements, and even advance medical directives, Legal Nature handles the entire incorporation process, from preparing documents to contacting your chosen state and submitting your application. The mobile-optimized service has a great user-friendly dashboard and works with multiple companies without restrictions.
Legal Nature offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the services you receive, you will receive a full refund, no questions asked. What’s even more impressive is that Legal Nature offers a 7-day free trial. You can use their services completely free for an entire week. This is an incredibly generous offer that you won’t find with other legal services providers.
PROS
- Government deadlines and fees calculated for you
- 7-day free trial
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for secure services
CONS
- Limited free legal advice
- No 24/7 customer support
What Are Legal Services?
You can consider legal services as an alternative to traditional law. An online legal services website connects you with independent legal experts who offer personalized legal services tailored to your needs. If you don’t want to hire a personal attorney, a legal services website can help you find a qualified professional to help you with licenses, contracts, and filing documents without the hassle or fees associated with traditional law firms. Legal services are primarily aimed at small business owners, although some also offer services for personal legal matters.
Online Legal Services Pricing
You may have noticed that the prices for online legal services vary significantly. The biggest difference is in the services included in the plans. If a company offers registered agent services as part of the plan, it will be more expensive. However, this service can be valuable, as most companies require some type of registered agent.
In general, you can expect to pay between $80 and $150 for standard services for a limited liability company (LLC). Forming a corporation is a bit more expensive. Here’s a list of typical prices, though they vary from company to company.
How Do They Work?
The process is simple, which is important. After you submit a form explaining the service you need, you’ll be assigned a specialist to review the details of your specific task. The attorney can review, complete, and submit the application for you, or provide sample forms and the guidance you need to do it yourself. The process varies depending on the task, but the goal is to simplify the initial work, either by hiring a specialist to help you get started, or by getting guidance along the way to speed things up.
What Services Do They Provide?
Most legal services websites are designed to cater to the needs of small businesses or startups. Services range from LLC formation to contract drafting, charter research, trademark registration, and permit applications.
However, there are online legal services that also help with personal matters, connecting you with legal experts who specialize in mortgage payments, immigration issues, power of attorney, family wills, and more.
What Is an S Corp, C Corp and LLC?
The type of business entity an entrepreneur chooses to open may be a C corporation, an LLC, or even an S corporation (just for fun), which is not a corporation. Here’s what you need to know about each type of entity.
LLC
A limited liability company is an attractive idea for entrepreneurs because it offers some personal financial protection in the event of a business crisis and flexibility in taxation and management. It can be taxed as a sole proprietorship or with multiple owners, but entrepreneurs avoid corporate taxes or keep their bank accounts separate. LLC owners are generally considered self-employed and subject to self-employment tax. However, these owners cannot issue shares of stock, and their business is not recognized outside the United States. Furthermore, the owners of these companies are not subject to double taxation, so the CEOs only pay personal income tax, which saves them a significant amount of time on paperwork.
C Corporation
Like an LLC, it is a formal business entity that is separate from personal liability and assets. This structure allows businesses to earn income or form partnerships abroad, using investor funds to start the business. In addition, corporations must elect a board of directors, and the accounting and reporting requirements are much stricter than for an LLC.
S Corporation
An S corporation is not actually a type of business, but an IRS tax classification. In an S corporation, the corporation does not pay income tax on its profits, so the business pays taxes only on the individual shareholders. This avoids the double taxation that C corporations typically face. Additionally, they are subject to slightly less frequent reporting, which is an advantage over the traditional C corporation tax classification. S corporations are subject to additional scrutiny by the IRS and are not suitable for companies seeking venture capital financing.
How to Choose the Right Legal Services Site for Your Business
Other services handle the paperwork themselves.
Regardless of how you use the service, it will likely involve exchanging confidential information and resolving important issues.
How Will a Legal Services Site Help Your Business?
First and foremost, legal services help you, the business owner, which in turn helps your business get off to a good start and continue to grow. A legal services website, such as LLC formation, license and permit analysis, and charter research, can eliminate obstacles that could otherwise stall the process, thwart your business plan, and lead to fines and other violations. They can save you the expense of a personal attorney while allowing you to focus on implementing your unique vision and business plan.
