Gone are the days when retaining legal services cost a company thousands of dollars annually. Today, these same services are available at a fraction of the cost, with much more flexibility and the convenience of online processing. Online legal service providers offer even small businesses the ability to meet their legal requirements, stay compliant, and file essential documents on time, all while staying within budget.
From membership-based services to networks of individual professional attorneys, there is a lot of competition in this field. Small businesses looking to save on legal fees often find solace in these online legal service providers. To do the same, ensure the service you're signing up for is trustworthy. Look for a firm that offers the services you need, has competitive rates, efficient processing times, and offers essential legal educational resources.
If that's too much of a challenge, check out our recommendations for the best online legal service providers of 2023.
Top 10 Online Legal Service Providers and LLC Registration
Its all-in-one platform keeps legal documents like EINs and operating contract templates easily accessible and in one place. As an added benefit, all ZenBusiness plans include their registered agent service, which meets all legal requirements set by your state.
This, along with its 100% accuracy guarantee, makes ZenBusiness the best choice for business design. We're sure they'll help you get your business up and running in no time.
PROS
- Live support
- 100% accuracy guarantee
- Urgent and expedited submission options
- Starting prices with no hidden fees
CONS
- There is no cancellation once per state.
- Lack of application options for non-profit organizations
Incfile was named one of the top 360 entrepreneurial companies in America by Entrepreneur magazine this year and lived up to the hype. The $0 starting point + government fees is a big plus, but the benefits outweigh this low price. Whether you're forming an LLC, S corporation, another type of corporation, or a non-profit, Incfile has you covered d. All plans include name verification, article submission, one year of free registered agent service, online order tracking and free business tax advice. What's more, there's next-business-day processing and the promise of lifetime customer support, along with lifetime notifications, so you never have to worry about how, when, or where to submit something.
If you're just starting your new business journey, Incfile has business checklists for every step of the way, including business license requirements and getting started guides. The service is completely transparent, and you'll always know what's happening, what's coming, when, and what to expect next.
PROS
- Online access to documents.
- Lifetime alerts and customer support
- Attractive prices
CONS
- Additional features require additional fees
- Less informative for established companies.
Here's something you probably didn't expect from a legal services provider. Inc Authority will help you set up your limited liability company or corporation free of charge. You read that right; Inc Authority offers this service free of charge. It comes with 5-point name verification, preparation and filing of all incorporation documents, registered agent service for the entire first year of your business, secure and affordable digital storage for all your initial documents, digital delivery, and trade current accounts. , preparation and filing of S-corp election form (Form 2553) IRS, INC CARE customer service by email or phone, tax planning advice and business financing analysis.
Too good to be true? That's the real de l. Inc Authority provides these services to you as a gesture of good faith. Of course, there are other paid services as we l. Complete Operating Agreements and Bylaws, Company Book of Records and Seals, Minutes and Resolutions of Preliminary Meetings, Ownership Certificates, IRS Tax Identification Number (EIN), Tax Inquiry, Business License Report, Website Domains, Business Loan Counselor and Registry at Dun. & Bradstreet t. are some services you can use with a paid plan.
PROS
- Ultimately, free LLC and corporation formation
- One year of FREE registered agent services
- On-demand upgrade options
CONS
- Customers should call to expedite show times and pricing.
- It is not available for international companies.
Swyft Filings is a leading legal services company that provides a wide variety of legal services for much less than it would cost to hire an attorney. Their basic plan, available for free, provides you with various legal services, including drafting articles of organization, filing with the Secretary of State, free organizer filing, online access to your incorporation documents, and customer support. Telephone Or email
You'll also receive a free 30-minute business tax consultation with an attorney and alerts from ComplianceGuard. This incredible array of services would cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you used traditional legal channels. More advanced plans include more services, including obtaining your federal tax ID number, as well as custom LLC operating agreements, special bank resolutions, electronic delivery of government documents, a personal digital corporate package, and business website and hosting service s. the plan s. free websites.
PROS
- Offers discounted registered agent services.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Form a corporation or LLC for free
CONS
- Registered agent services not included in the LLC formation plan
- Only in 2012
Northwest Registered Agent takes the hassle out of it and provides jargon-free corporate, privacy and data security guidelines. The goal is to simplify business matters for everyone, including foreign business founders who want to apply for US-based companies. It's here to help you fill in the blanks and get your business up and running without anything, especially paperwork and travelling. p. It's a convenient partner for new and existing businesses for annual reporting and company formation for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits. If you use Northwest to register your business, you will receive free Registered Agent service for the first year. Each service offered is priced individually, so there are no subscription plans, and you'll never have to pay for the services you need.
You'll also find excellent customer service for US residents and foreign business owners looking to open LLCs in the S. Customer service agents are easy to reach by phone or email and have a shorter response time of up to 24 hours.
PROS
- Create a company and get one year of free registered agent service
- Vital customer service from an in-house team of professionals.
- A small business is acquiring small companies.
CONS
- No support for sole proprietors or associations
- Lack of customer reviews (e.g. no Trustpilot reviews)
For small and large businesses, LegalZoom helps anyone looking to form an LC. From tax returns, federal tax ID registration and business licenses to legal advice and assistance provided by independent, unaffiliated attorneys, LegalZoom offers various services at very affordable prices.
PROS
- Fixed rates
- simple forms
- A large selection of services.
CONS
- Not for international coverage
Rocket Lawyer brings a modern twist to legal services. Rocket Lawyer offers companies overwhelmed and confused by legal issues a complete, well-explained and easy-to-use system to handle all legal requirements independently. Whether you need to draft legal contracts, set up a limited company, incorporate your business, or draft legally binding business agreements such as confidentiality agreements or liability forms, Rocket Lawyer makes it as easy as what you do. Online:
And the best thing is that since you are doing it yourself, there are two main advantages. First, you get your documents right away. Immediately after filling in the data, your documents will be prepared on the spot and made available for immediate download, distribution, and printing. This is a moment of sensational recovery. Second, you'll pay hundreds of dollars less for their services because you'll eliminate traditional legal fees. This is a new era of business legal documents, so contact Rocket Lawyer today and see how easy legal services can be for modern business owners like you.
PROS
- Document protection connects you to legal protection
- Lawyers call for quick and reliable answers
- Instant creation of legal documents
CONS
- Submitting legal documents yourself
- There are no prerequisites for attorneys
Do you need help filing legal documents? Or maybe you're still in the planning stages of forming your company and need to understand the different types of corporations and their benefits. Wherever you are in the process, one company can help you through it all: MyCorporation. MyCorporation has legal services to suit all business needs; from starting a corporation and everything related to it, such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, model minutes, and stock certificates, to more straightforward tasks like checking for a business name, MyCorporation is the e. for you.
MyCorporation also has some handy business features. For example, you'll appreciate the large document storage vault to keep confidential documents safe online, plus annual reports of the business location, current contact information, and business activity. Automatic updating makes these tedious but essential tasks a headache for the patient. Discover what MyCorporation can do for your startup today, and finally, start focusing on the things that matter to your startup.
PROS
- Over 20 years of experience with over 1 million customers
- Insightful advice for new and emerging businesses
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
CONS
- The basic plan leaves a lot to be desired
- There are no registered agent services with the basic plan
MyCompanyWorks provides legal services for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the United States. If you're starting a new business, you can streamline the filing process with MyCompanyWorks. You'll also get a free domain name and one year of web hosting.
For established businesses, MyCompanyWorks can ensure that your business is maintained when you purchase the Premium Service. This includes document management, solution management, and more.
PROS
- Submission date reminder alerts
- Great for SMBs and entrepreneurs.
CONS
- No services for individuals or families.
Legal Nature is your source for all fast, reliable and easy legal services. From limited liability companies and corporation formations to custom services like last wills, bills of sale, and even advance health directives, Legal Nature completes the entire formation process, from preparing the documents to contacting the state of your choice and submitting your order. The mobile-friendly service has a tremendous user-centric 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 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 a whole week. This is an incredibly generous offer that you won't find with other legal service providers.
PROS
- State filing deadlines and fees calculated for you
- 7-day free trial
- A+ BBB rating for safe and secure services
CONS
- There is not much free legal advice
- No 24/7 customer support
What Are Legal Services?
Online Legal Services Pricing
You may have noticed that prices for online legal services vary considerab y. The biggest variation is in the services included in the plan s. If the company offers registered agent services under the plan, it will be more expensi e. However, this service can come at a cost, as most businesses require some type of registered agent to be involved.
In general, you can expect to pay between $80 and $150 for standard limited liability company services. The formation of corporations is a little higher. Here is a list of typical prices, although these prices will vary from company to company.
How Do They Work?
The process is simple, which is undoubtedlyessentialt. After submitting a form explaining the service you need, you will be assigned a specialist to discuss the details of this specific task. An attorney can research, complete, and file for you or provide you with sample forms and the guidance you need to do it yourself. The process varies depending on the task, but the goal is to reduce the legwork by either bringing in an expert to help you get started or getting guidance along the way to help speed up the process.
What Services Do They Provide?
Most legal services websites are geared toward the needs of small or startup businesses. Services range from LLC filing to contract drafting, charter research, trademark registration, and permit application.
That said, there are online legal services that also help with personal matters and, as such, connect you with legal experts who specialize in mortgage settlements, immigration matters, power of attorney, household wills, and more.
What Is an S Corp, C Corp and LLC?
A business owner's first choice type of business entity to open is a C corporation, an LLC, or even an S corporation (just for fun), which is not a business type. Here's what you need to know about each entity.
LLC
A limited liability company is an attractive concept for business owners because it provides some personal financial protection against business crises and flexibility in taxation and management. It can be taxed as a sole proprietorship or multi-owner business, but business owners either avoid corporate taxes or keep their bank accounts separate. LLC owners are generally considered self-employed and subject to self-employment taxes. However, these owners cannot issue shares, and their businesses are not recognized outside the United States. In addition, the owners of these businesses are not subject to double taxation, so CEOs pay only personal taxes, which also saves them a lot of time filling out documents.
C Corporation
Like an LLC, it is a formal business separate from personal liability and personal assets. This structure allows companies to make money or form partnerships overseas, using investor funds to start the business. In addition, corporations must elect a board of directors, and the accounting and reporting requirements are much greater than in an LLC.
S Corporation
A small business corporation is not actually a type of business, but an IRS tax classification..In an S corporation, the corporation pays no taxes on its profits, so the company pays taxes only with respect to individual shareholde is saves owners from the double taxation that C corporations often fa corporations are also subject to slightly less frequent reporting, which is a benefit over the traditional tax classification of C corporation S corporation is subject to additional scrutiny by the IRS and is not good for companies seeking venture capital funding.
How to Choose the Right Legal Services Site for Your Business
Other services take care of the documentation themselves.
No matter what you use the service for, you're likely sharing sensitive information and dealing with important issues.
How Will a Legal Services Site Help Your Business?
First, legal services help you, the business owner, which in turn helps your business get off on the right foot and continue to thrive and gr taking on difficult legal procedures like forming an LLC, analyzing licenses and permits, and researching statutes, a legal services website can eliminate setbacks that could otherwise stall the process, derail you from your business plan, and lead to fines and other violations. . bureaucrat ey can save you the expense of a personal attorney while freeing you up to focus on executing your unique vision and your business plan.