Rocket Lawyer vs LegalShield: Comparing Legal Plans, Business Formation, and Online Legal Services for Small Business Owners
Choosing between Rocket Lawyer vs LegalShield can be important for business owners and anyone who needs legal help online. Both companies offer legal plans, business formation help, legal consultation, and customer support. Rocket Lawyer is better for those wanting pay-as-you-go legal services and a strong registered agent service, while LegalShield is usually picked for unlimited access to legal advice with a monthly plan.
Each service allows customers to create legal forms, get legal documentation, and connect with law firms for professional legal assistance. Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield serve small businesses and individuals who want reliable legal help without hiring a full-time lawyer. For those comparing prices and offers, Rocket Lawyer includes a 7-day free trial that helps new users try their services before making a commitment, while LegalShield is known for its affordable legal assistance and clear business plans.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield both provide key legal services for businesses online.
- Each platform has unique features and customer support options.
- Small business owners should compare service details to fit their legal needs.
Rocket Lawyer vs LegalShield: Service Comparison
Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield are two of the leading online legal service platforms for individuals and business owners. Both offer legal plans, business formation help, and access to legal forms, but their features and approaches differ in important ways.
Core Legal Plan Features
LegalShield offers prepaid legal plans for individuals and businesses. These include direct access to a law firm for specific issues, such as contract reviews or document defense. Plans are billed monthly and cover everyday legal needs.
Rocket Lawyer, on the other hand, offers a membership that focuses on making legal documents and forms easily accessible online. Members can create, edit, and sign unlimited documents. They also get discounts on attorney consultations.
The main difference lies in structure. LegalShield connects customers to network lawyers for included services by phone or app. Rocket Lawyer relies on making forms available and offering discounted rates for legal consultations when extra help is needed.
Business Formation and Registered Agent Service
Both Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield provide business formation services for LLCs, corporations, and other structures. Rocket Lawyer covers more with its simple step-by-step process that includes name checks, document filing, and operating agreement templates.
For registered agent service, Rocket Lawyer includes this in some business formation packages, making compliance easier for business owners. LegalShield offers it separately as an add-on. This means customers may need to pay for the service in addition to legal plan costs.
For small business owners who need everything handled together, Rocket Lawyer can be more convenient with its bundled approach to business formation and registered agent services.
Legal Advice and Consultation
LegalShield’s main advantage is direct consultation with an actual attorney for a wide range of legal topics. This may include unlimited phone calls, letters written on the customer’s behalf, and review of legal documents.
Rocket Lawyer gives access to licensed attorneys, but typically at a discounted rate per consultation instead of unlimited advice with membership. Some plans include a free question or consultation monthly, with further help requiring payment.
Those who expect frequent or ongoing legal questions may prefer LegalShield’s law firm access included with the plan. Rocket Lawyer is best for people comfortable handling most issues on their own and needing only occasional help.
Unlimited Access to Legal Forms
Both companies offer a large library of legal forms that users can fill out and customize. Rocket Lawyer lets members create and sign as many legal documents as needed. Forms are updated to stay compliant with current state laws.
LegalShield also provides legal forms, but access may be more limited or may require talking to an attorney to get certain documents. Rocket Lawyer’s user interface for editing, saving, and sharing documents is consistently rated as more user-friendly.
Unlimited form access is a key feature of Rocket Lawyer’s service offers for business owners. This makes it appealing for those who want to handle paperwork themselves with minimal friction.
Service Offers and Customer Experience
Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield both provide online legal services aimed at simplifying legal tasks for individuals and businesses. Their plans offer different features, levels of support, and ways to access legal help. Each platform approaches legal service and customer experience with unique strengths.
Rocket Lawyer Offers
Rocket Lawyer offers a flexible legal plan that combines document creation, legal advice, and access to attorneys. Its subscription includes unlimited legal documents, digital signatures, and legal Q&A. Users get one free legal consultation per issue and discounts on further representation.
The platform is especially useful for forming a business, as it provides simple online business formation tools and options for incorporation. Rocket Lawyer also offers a registered agent service, which helps businesses stay compliant with state requirements at an extra cost.
Key features include a free 7-day trial, document defense for custom documents, and digital storage for important legal files. Members can use the service for a wide range of needs, from personal contracts to complex business agreements. More details can be found in this detailed comparison of Rocket Lawyer vs LegalShield.
LegalShield Offer
LegalShield provides fixed-price legal service plans that include unlimited consultations and attorney access for covered issues. Its plans feature document review, help with legal letters, and defense for certain matters. Everything is covered through a monthly membership, which gives members predictable costs.
Unlike Rocket Lawyer, LegalShield focuses on connecting members directly with a local law firm in their state. This means most legal needs are handled by a real attorney, not just online forms. LegalShield is known for 24/7 emergency access to lawyers, which can be helpful if an urgent legal issue arises.
The business plans are tailored to small business owners and include consultation, document review, and help with business formation. This setup provides reassurance and support when dealing with ongoing legal needs.
Customer Service and Support
Both Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield take customer service seriously, but their approach differs. Rocket Lawyer offers support through chat, email, and phone during business hours. The website also has clear help articles, making it easy to solve common issues.
LegalShield sets itself apart by offering 24/7 emergency access to attorneys. For most concerns, members can reach out to their designated law firm by phone during regular hours. Questions and issues are usually addressed quickly by an assigned lawyer, improving trust and reliability. According to this online legal service comparison, LegalShield’s round-the-clock lawyer access is a key benefit.
Support quality for both services is generally rated as positive, but LegalShield’s attorney access option may offer greater peace of mind for those facing urgent situations.
Usability for Business Owners
Business owners need easy access to legal services without wasting time. Rocket Lawyer features a user-friendly dashboard for document creation and filing, which streamlines routine legal tasks. Forming a corporation or LLC can be completed quickly online, and additional services like registered agent coverage are available for an added fee.
LegalShield’s system is built around connecting business owners with a law firm. After signing up, users can call or message their assigned attorney for advice or document review. LegalShield’s process gives businesses ongoing legal support and someone to answer specific questions.
Both platforms are designed for people with little legal experience. Rocket Lawyer’s self-serve tools are better for those wanting to take a hands-on approach, while LegalShield’s attorney-focused model is better for owners who prefer direct communication and ongoing support. Business owners can compare the hands-on tools of Rocket Lawyer to the guided approach of LegalShield in this detailed analysis.
Legal Documentation and Online Assistance
Business owners often turn to online legal services for fast document help and clear legal guidance. Both Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield offer different ways to prepare, access, and get support with legal documents and business needs.
Document Preparation and Review
Rocket Lawyer lets users create, edit, and sign many types of legal documents, such as business contracts, NDAs, and employee agreements. Users can answer simple questions, and the platform builds the needed document. An attorney can review these documents for extra peace of mind, making sure everything is set up the right way.
LegalShield takes a different approach. Members get access to attorneys who draft or review documents as part of the monthly plan. This can be helpful for businesses that need documents tailored to their situation. However, document creation is more dependent on calling or working with an attorney than do-it-yourself templates.
A key difference is that Rocket Lawyer supports instant, on-demand document preparation, while LegalShield focuses on lawyer-driven drafting and review. Both services offer legal document help, but the style and speed can vary.
Access to Legal Forms
Rocket Lawyer gives users unlimited access to a large library of legal forms with its paid plan. The site covers a wide range of documents for business, personal, and family use. Examples include incorporation papers, lease agreements, and partnership forms. Members can edit these forms online and get legal advice about them as needed. This on-demand library supports business tasks quickly and simply.
LegalShield also offers form access, but it is more limited and often involves attorney assistance for customizing forms. Many forms require direct attorney involvement rather than instant access through a library. For businesses that need custom or complex legal forms, this hands-on approach may be valuable. However, those who need a broad catalog of do-it-yourself forms may prefer Rocket Lawyer’s approach. For more, see this comparison of online legal services.
Support for Small Business Needs
Small business owners need easy-to-reach legal help and reliable document solutions. Both Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield include legal consultations as part of their plans. Rocket Lawyer gives access to attorneys for questions and follow-up, while also supporting customers with extensive online resources. Its interface makes it easy to manage and store documents securely online.
LegalShield’s strength is direct attorney access for business-related questions, document review, and legal letters. The service also covers topics such as compliance, business licenses, and contract disputes. Small businesses that want frequent, in-depth attorney involvement may benefit from LegalShield.
Rocket Lawyer is often recommended for those seeking quick document help and a strong online dashboard, while LegalShield is favored for ongoing, attorney-heavy support. For business owners, it’s important to decide how much hands-on legal help they will need day to day. Businesses comparing Rocket Lawyer to LegalShield can learn more from this side-by-side review.
Evaluating Online Legal Services for Business
Business owners face important choices when comparing online legal services. The right service can affect everything from legal compliance to how quickly a company can get legal advice or documentation.
Choosing a Law Firm or Legal Plan
When looking for legal help, companies must decide between working with a traditional law firm or selecting a legal plan offered by an online service. Traditional law firms often charge by the hour, which may be better for complex or unique cases. In contrast, platforms like Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield offer monthly legal plans covering a wide range of needs, including document reviews and legal consultations.
A legal plan can give unlimited access to legal forms and the ability to consult with an attorney as needed. This makes it easier for small businesses to get help without facing large and unexpected bills. Coverage usually includes basic legal documentation, contract review, and legal advice. Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield both have options tailored for business owners seeking legal assistance online.
Integration With Business Plans
Online legal services can directly support a company’s business plan. Many offer business formation help, such as registering an LLC or corporation, and can even provide registered agent services. Having these features under one roof speeds up the start-up process and ensures that compliance needs are handled.
Features often include:
- Business entity formation (LLC, corporation)
- Registered agent service
- Access to legal forms and templates
- Legal consultation with licensed attorneys
Some platforms, like Rocket Lawyer, let users download and edit legal documents as needed. LegalShield provides direct access to attorneys for advice about day-to-day business concerns. Integration with a company’s broader business plan means fewer gaps and delays in legal compliance, which is crucial for startups and small business owners.
Practical Considerations for Business Owners
Business owners should compare service offers, customer support quality, and cost structures before choosing. Table 1 shows a simple comparison of Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield on key features:
| Feature | Rocket Lawyer | LegalShield |
|---|---|---|
| Legal forms access | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Attorney consultations | Available with plan | Included in plan |
| Registered agent | Optional add-on | Included in some plans |
| Business formation | Yes | Yes |
| Customer support | Online & phone | Phone |
Reading reviews about customer service and support is also vital. Some business owners prefer 24/7 online chat, while others value phone support or quick attorney callbacks. Comparing service details on platforms like Rocket Lawyer vs LegalShield helps identify the best match for a company’s ongoing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
LegalShield and Rocket Lawyer have different approaches to legal help for business owners. They provide a range of services like business formation, legal plans, registered agent services, access to legal forms, and customer support options.
What are the main differences between LegalShield and Rocket Lawyer in terms of business formation services?
Rocket Lawyer provides easy-to-use online tools for forming an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. It typically includes step-by-step instructions and lets users file documents directly.
LegalShield connects users with attorneys for consultations and legal help throughout the formation process. This service can be helpful for those needing more personal guidance.
What legal plan features should business owners consider when comparing Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield?
Business owners should look at plan costs, access to legal forms, included attorney consultations, and coverage for common business issues. Rocket Lawyer often has pay-as-you-go options, while LegalShield usually offers set monthly plans.
Unlimited document review and direct attorney access are included in some plans. Compare contract review limits, business consultation time, and extra features like HR support or debt collection help.
How do Rocket Lawyer’s and LegalShield’s registered agent services differ?
Rocket Lawyer offers registered agent services as an optional add-on for its business formation customers. This service helps businesses stay compliant by managing official documents and legal notices.
LegalShield includes registered agent service in some of its business legal plans or as a separate option. Each company varies in price and the level of support provided during business formation and afterward.
Which provides better value for small businesses seeking unlimited access to legal forms and advice: Rocket Lawyer or LegalShield?
Rocket Lawyer includes a large library of legal forms accessible with a subscription. Some plans provide unlimited access, while others have limits. Members can create documents and ask legal questions for a monthly fee.
LegalShield focuses on personal legal advice, with unlimited consultations on new legal matters. The number of legal forms available varies, and document creation may not be as flexible as Rocket Lawyer’s service. For a comparison, see this breakdown of LegalShield vs Rocket Lawyer.
What level of customer support can users expect from Rocket Lawyer and LegalShield?
Rocket Lawyer offers online chat, email, and phone support. Customers usually get help during standard business hours. The platform also provides self-help resources and FAQs.
LegalShield connects users directly to network attorneys. They promise a callback from an attorney within a specific time frame, such as 4 or 8 business hours, for legal concerns. Some plans include emergency legal help outside normal hours.
How do the legal consultation services of Rocket Lawyer compare with those offered by LegalShield?
Rocket Lawyer members can ask legal questions online and receive answers from real attorneys. Some plans include a free 30-minute phone consultation per legal matter.
LegalShield connects clients with local attorneys for unlimited legal consultations on new issues. The service is more personalized and often includes legal document review and calls to third parties on the client’s behalf. Both services offer options for legal representation if needed.
