LegalZoom Wills Overview
Since its inception in 2001, LegalZoom has established itself as a go-to online platform for legal documents and services. Founded by attorney Brian Liu, entrepreneur Dennis Lin, and former Vice President at Visa, Karen Griffith Gruenberg, LegalZoom initially set out to democratize access to legal services, making them more affordable and accessible to the average American. Over the years, the company has expanded its offerings significantly, now providing a range of services including formation of business entities, trademarks, incorporations, real estate documents, and living trusts.
Among the many services offered is help for making wills. Specifically, those interested can create a Last Will & Testament through the LegalZoom website. As with other documents provided by the site, LegalZoom’s will-making service asks a series of questions about the potential user’s specific needs and desires. It provides a choice of a variety of document options depending on the type of will one is looking to write, including Traditional Will, Holographic Will, Testamentary Trust, and how one would like to distribute their assets, such as through a Simple Will or a Complex Will. Customers are then guided through a series of questions, which ask for information like the names and ages of children, if applicable, and what kind of guardianship setup one would like for dependents.
LegalZoom also offers estate planning packages – last wills & testaments, living trust, and durable power of attorney – for those looking to have an attorney do the drafting instead of doing it themselves. LegalZoom allows you to secure a will for both yourself and your spouse all at once. As the company itself states, "With these three estate planning documents , you’ll be able to decide who handles your financial matters, decide who will make decisions if you can’t, and decide who will receive your property after your death." LegalZoom’s thorough new client information review process is more arduous than some, but will in turn result in greater peace of mind that nothing was overlooked.
LegalZoom customers simply fill out customizable online questionnaires, which are then reviewed by "case file specialists" and a licensed attorney. Included with the base price for each service are added features, such as tailored checklists, unlimited updates, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, immediate, automatic updates, and LegalZoom’s "Happiness Promise:" if a customer isn’t happy with their document, LegalZoom will rewrite it for free or give a full refund. The user enters the requested information into the database and then receives the finished product delivered directly to their inbox or physical address.
While LegalZoom has undoubtedly helped many people obtain legal documents without spending a fortune, the company has also had its share of scrutiny. In April 2011, the company agreed to pay $11.4 million to settle charges brought against it by the Attorney General of the District of Columbia, which had alleged that the company violated D.C. law by advertising and selling certain legal services requiring lawyers, as well as for misleading claims about the savings their services provided. In June 2012, the company agreed to pay $1,960,000 to settle class action claims in California and Missouri alleging it had engaged in deceptive advertising.
While some LegalZoom reviews note shortcomings with various aspects of its services, the service continues to be a popular online destination for people looking to plan and secure their legacies.
Key Features of LegalZoom’s Will Services
At its core, LegalZoom’s scope of service focuses on its commitment to making quality legal services easier to understand and a lot more affordable. There’s nothing wrong with seeking help with the creation of essential estate planning documents like wills through a service that specializes in assisting consumers to access simple legal forms or to create those forms. The key is knowing exactly what you’re doing and being able to make the right choices from there.
This means understanding exactly what Low Cost Will by LegalZoom can do for you. First of all, it’s an exceptionally easy-to-use program that has a lot going for it in terms of flexibility and functionality. You can simply sign up for a free LegalZoom account, and that will allow you to create a will right away. The will you create will only apply to assets owned in both California and in states across the U.S. However, you will also have the ability to create a state-specific will, which you are basically allowed to do if you have a customized LegalZoom account.
Should you want to make revisions to your will, you will be able to do so at any time using your account settings. The will you create will help to guard against multiple state laws that would otherwise work against you. LegalZoom keeps a record of your changes for you to reference as needed and provides adequate space for you to add additional information regarding your wishes for close and extended family, your belongings and the disposition of your estate.
Helpful links will direct you to additional resources for assistance with creating a legally sufficient will. LegalZoom also provides access to a legal professional or customer support professional to help you complete difficult sections of the program or to make optional changes to your will. LegalZoom can manifest otherwise complicated legal forms into a simplified process that you can complete from the comforts of your home.
Customer Ratings and Reviews
Reviews and Ratings
Given the fact that a will is a crucial document, it is not surprising that there are apprehensions about the legal validity and safety concerns involved with using an online service like LegalZoom. The primary reason people prefer using a will is that the service is way cheaper than hiring a lawyer, considering the complexity of state laws. Practically, everyone likes to save money and that’s a sentiment that comes through loud and clear in many customer reviews. For instance, one customer noted that a will, in her state would costs $600 in fees, but legalzoom only charged $180 for the same service which she termed a great value for the money. Another reviewer who purchased the service said that they would never have been able to make a will so easily independent of a lawyer. In addition to these positive responses, a few customers expressed reservations about the final product, as well as the support offered during the process of creating the will. In one such review, a customer expressed concern about a typographical error, and stated "That’s a huge information to me." Other customers were generally satisfied with the quality of the document received, while a few mentioned minor issues with the document received. For example, one user was not happy with the layout of his will, citing a lack of margin or indentation which made it difficult to differentiate between paragraphs. Another user however expressed satisfaction with the errors in his document. In his words, "The errors I focused on were small errors & I was pleased. I liked the fact that there were "errors" as if a real human being reviewed my will & made alterations. Thank You very much." A handful of users also mentioned broken links that remained unaddressed for them. Despite these complaints, most customers expressed satisfaction with the support offered by legalzoom. A lot of users acknowledged that the support team is eager to help and responsive to requests for assistance regarding the order and making edits. Some customers were satisfied with the comprehensive nature of the feedback that is given in the portal regarding the finalizing and signing process. When reviewing the entire service provided by LegalZoom, it is essential to keep in mind the basic function of the site. It is a cheap alternative to traditional attorneys, and thus, trying to hold it up to the same standard as a traditional attorney may not be reasonable. At the same time, it must also be acknowledged that the site has room for improvement when it comes to improving some of the inner workings such as the visual layout of the document provided and possibly adjusting to customer preferences.
How LegalZoom Wills Stack Up Against Traditional Attorneys
The starkest contrast between the two options lies in the cost: LegalZoom’s prices per package are significantly lower than those of the average San Diego estate planning attorney. While each website contains a disclaimer that LegalZoom’s service does not involve the direct creation of the will by an attorney, the fact remains that you will likely spend several hundred dollars less for your legal documents. Even the Litigation Selection Package, which costs $129.00 through the company website, is much less than the current price of $350-$450 for a simple will in most attorney’s offices.
Not only is cost important to consumers but time plays an important role as well. With these LegalZoom packages, you can expect to receive your finished documents in a much quicker timeframe than you would from a professional. LegalZoom’s website states that you can purchase your legal documents at any time without needing to schedule a meeting, and the company guarantees that you will receive your documentation via email or through the mail within 2 to 11 days. An attorney working on your case, however, must first schedule a meeting with you, which could take several days depending on availability. After you work with your attorney to prepare the document, it can take anywhere from several hours to several weeks before your documents are completed.
Legal Implications and Considerations
When you utilize an onlinewill service such as LegalZoom, you leave yourself open to legal risks and pitfalls. For one, it’s very difficult for an automated system to ensure that proper language, state-specific requirements, and other minutiae are strictly adhered to. Many of the legal traps associated with will preparation exist in aspects of the will that most people wouldn’t even think to look for—except for well-trained estate planning attorneys.
Such issues include parliamentary rules in the drafting of the document and the manner in which it is signed , as well as specific state requirements on how and where the will is signed. You may not be aware that some states require witnesses. In some states, the witnesses must also sign a statutory will. In some states, the witnesses will not be able to testify that they recognize the signatures when the will is offered for probate—in essence, that the signatures are valid. Some states also have jurisdictional requirements that could work in your disfavor should your estate involve property in more than one state.
A lot can go wrong when you don’t use a trained professional. The person you trust the most with your estate is your estate planning attorney!
The Pros and Cons of Creating a LegalZoom Will
Pros and cons of using LegalZoom to prepare your will
Like any product in the marketplace, LegalZoom has its strengths and weaknesses when it comes to preparing last wills and testaments. For example, one of the company’s main benefits is cost. With so many people desperate to save money, paying LegalZoom $69 for a will may seem like a good idea. LegalZoom users have said that the document can be completed in just a few hours, making it an efficient solution.
However, can that time and money investment truly be worth it? Consumer Affairs provides a helpful list of the pros and cons associated with using LegalZoom for a will based on users’ experiences and expert opinions:
Pros:
It’s easy to use
It’s inexpensive
A lot of different legal forms are available through LegalZoom
The customer service is responsive
The site offers tons of helpful articles
Cons:
Many users reported problems with its customer service
LegalZoom charges you extra for things that don’t come with your will
It has no contact with your local probate court
Legal documents aren’t always reviewed by an attorney
You can only get a refund within 30 days of purchase
Common Questions About LegalZoom Wills
Many people are unsure about the will creating process online. But there’s no need to worry, LegalZoom has made their process very simple and easy to follow. The website even provides a handy guide that explains the process in detail for those who are hesitant to order a will online. Here are some of the most common questions and answers on LegalZoom wills:
1.) How long does it take to get a will?
It usually takes 2-3 business days from the moment you order a will through LegalZoom. You can expedite your order for a small fee. Hard copies of your will (if you order one) should arrive within a few business days of completing the process.
2.) Is a LegalZoom will secure?
LegalZoom takes customer security seriously. The website uses high standards of security software to safeguard client information. But once your will has been created, it isn’t safeguarded in any way. The way a will is safeguarded after it is created is through notarization and storage in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box.
3.) Can I change or update my will?
It’s always a good idea to have your will updated periodically or if there is a change in your life situation, such as a marriage, divorce, or new birth. LegalZoom makes it easy to amend your will in a few short steps. It’s also easy to update your will as applicable.
The Verdict: Is LegalZoom the Best Option for Your Will?
After thoroughly reviewing their website and comparing it to both Do-It-Yourself wills and traditional legal representation, it is time to answer the question "Is LegalZoom the right option for you?"
LegalZoom is a great option for those who are not looking for a complex will or estate plan. For example, if you are married with one child and a house and are in good health, LegalZoom is likely a good fit for you. A basic will or Living Trust prepared by LegalZoom could leave your loved ones with peace of mind and save them on the cost of opening a probate court file after your death.
However, if you are older and/or dealing with an estate with complicated issues , such as blended families, multiple properties, debt, or an ongoing business, then a traditional attorney is a better option. Even a middle-aged person with a history of medical conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure) may be better off with the safety net of a lawyer to help avoid potential problems and/or enforce provisions of your will.
Most of us would love to avoid paying for things we do not need and choose the alternative that is the most affordable and convenient—this is our human nature. However, the most affordable alternative is not always the best option, especially in legal matters.