Why LegalZoom (and “Doing It By Yourself”) Might Not Be The Best Option

LegalZoom is a legal technology website that enables individuals to handle many of their legal matters on their own. It is often the first place that people turn to when they have personal legal needs.

 

In many ways LegalZoom is a good option, and under the right circumstances the website can be efficient and effective, especially for those who have limited financial resources. Still, for most legal matters, hiring an attorney is the better choice.

 

For most people without the specialized knowledge and license of the profession, the law can be confusing and bewildering. Deciphering some of the information and instructions on a website can be time-consuming and prompt unnecessary anxiety, too. In this arena, the mantra, “You don’t know what you don’t know” rings true.

 

Here are a few important things to consider before you take on a legal matter by yourself:

 

A downloadable form cannot substitute for an attorney who will explain everything in “layman” terms and who will provide expertise and guidance every step of the way.

 

An attorney will look ahead and ensure that you are covered against any potential problems or issues that may arise in the future. It’s very easy for a nonprofessional to miss something that will come back to harm them.

 

Many people wrongly believe that their case is “simple” and doesn’t require the services of an attorney. Unfortunately, the law is not straightforward or simple. A nonprofessional does not know all of the complexities involved in dealing with legal matters. An attorney will save you time, money, and potential strife down the road.

 

We’ve become a DIY society whereby we turn to YouTube and Google for information and guidance on how to do most anything. Before you move forward and take on the matter by yourself, think about why you aren’t hiring a lawyer and reflect carefully about whether or not that is the right decision in the long run.

 

The best advice is to speak with an attorney BEFORE you make any final decision so that you will be certain you understand what is at stake. An attorney will assess how serious the issue may be and is ethically obliged to provide the best advice. With LegalZoom, there are no guarantees!

 

Blake W. Reed
Aibara Reed Law Group, LLC
Attorneys at Law
Mobile 646.300.0788
Efax 631.302.9288
www.arlawgrp.com

 

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