Lawyer v. LegalZoom

 

You probably have seen advertisements for LegalZoom and similar companies.  If you are thinking about starting your own business then you may be considering using LegalZoom, doing it yourself, or hiring an attorney.  I want to discuss the advantages of hiring an attorney versus using a company like LegalZoom.

 

LegalZoom is not a law firm.  They cannot offer you legal advice.  You simply tell them what forms or documents you need and they provide them.  These are forms and documents you can most likely find on your own and file yourself.

 

LegalZoom cannot advise you on the different forms of business and what may best suit not only your ownership needs, but your tax and employment ones also.  LegalZoom will not be a phone call away with the knowledge, advice and answers to your questions that an experienced attorney can provide.

 

While LegalZoom may provide the forms, they will not provide you with drafting bylaws or determining what terms to include or exclude in your articles of incorporation.  Sure, LegalZoom will provide you with “customized” operating agreements, but without the advice of counsel how will you know exactly how to customize these agreements to best suit yourself, the owners, shareholders, and the business.

 

Starting a business is not as simple as filing a few forms.  If you are dedicated to starting a business that will succeed long term then you should be thinking long term and not about cutting corners to start.  There will be problems during the long term and it’s better to have an attorney on hand who assisted you in starting your business and who was with you to watch it grow.

 

 

If you wish to discuss starting a business please contact Vincent Monfredo at Rominger & Associates at monfredo@romingerlaw.com or 717-241-6070.