LegalZoom is an online legal document service, not a law firm
LegalZoom is a website where you answer questions about your situation, and the company generates legal documents for you to sign and file. For estate planning, that means you can create a will, living trust, power of attorney, or healthcare directive without hiring a lawyer in your state. LegalZoom does not provide legal information, does not represent you in court, and does not replace a lawyer — it is a document preparation tool.
The company has been operating since 1999 and works in all 50 states, though some document types are not available in every state. You pay a flat fee upfront (usually between $100 and $500 depending on the document), and LegalZoom generates the paperwork based on your answers. You then print, sign, and file the documents yourself or have them notarized if your state requires it.
Key Takeaways
- LegalZoom creates legal documents based on your answers to an online questionnaire, but does not give legal information or represent you in court.
- You can create wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives through LegalZoom, though availability varies by state.
- You pay a one-time fee for the document package and are responsible for printing, signing, and filing the papers yourself.
- LegalZoom offers an optional add-on service called LegalZoom Plus that includes a brief phone consultation with a lawyer licensed in your state.
- The documents LegalZoom generates are legally valid if they meet your state's requirements, but the company cannot tell you whether they are the right choice for your specific situation.
What documents LegalZoom can create for estate planning
LegalZoom's estate planning documents include a will (which names an executor and distributes your property), a living trust (which holds your assets during your life and passes them to beneficiaries after you die without going through probate), a durable power of attorney (which lets someone manage your finances if you become unable to), and a healthcare power of attorney or healthcare directive (which names someone to make medical decisions for you and states your end-of-life wishes).
The specific documents available depend on your state. Some states allow living trusts to be created online with no additional steps; others require notarization or filing with the court. LegalZoom tells you during the questionnaire what your state requires and what the next steps are after you receive your documents.
LegalZoom also offers a Last Will and Testament Bundle that combines a will, healthcare directive, and power of attorney at a lower price than buying them separately. Prices vary but typically range from $100 for a single will to $300 or more for a complete bundle.
How the LegalZoom process works from start to finish
You start by choosing the document type on LegalZoom's website and answering a questionnaire. The questions ask about your family structure, who you want to leave money to, who should manage your estate, and what medical decisions you want made on your behalf. The questionnaire typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on how complex your situation is.
After you submit your answers, LegalZoom generates a draft document customized to your state's laws. You receive the document as a PDF that you can read and review. You then print it, sign it in front of a notary public if your state requires it, and file it with the appropriate office — usually the probate court or county clerk. For a will, filing is often optional; for a living trust, filing is usually not required at all.
LegalZoom does not file the documents for you or track whether you have completed the filing step. That responsibility is yours. The company sends you an email with your documents and instructions, but does not follow up to confirm you have signed and filed them.
When LegalZoom makes sense and when it does not
LegalZoom works well if your situation is straightforward: you have a spouse or a few adult children, your assets are not complicated, you do not own a business, and you do not expect anyone to contest your will. In those cases, the documents LegalZoom creates will be legally valid and will accomplish what you need.
LegalZoom is not a good fit if your situation is complex. If you own a business, have significant assets, have children from multiple relationships, want to minimize estate taxes, or think your will might be challenged, you need a lawyer who can understand your full picture and advise you on the best structure. LegalZoom cannot do that — it only fills in a form based on your answers.
You also cannot use LegalZoom if you need a lawyer to represent you in court, negotiate with family members, or handle a dispute. LegalZoom is a document service only.
The difference between LegalZoom Plus and standard LegalZoom
Standard LegalZoom gives you the documents and written instructions. LegalZoom Plus adds a 30-minute phone consultation with a lawyer licensed in your state. The lawyer can answer questions about whether the documents fit your situation, explain what each section means, and suggest changes before you finalize the paperwork.
LegalZoom Plus costs more — typically an additional $100 to $150 on top of the document fee — but it gives you a chance to talk to someone who knows your state's laws before you sign. This is useful if you are unsure whether a will or a living trust is right for you, or if you want to understand the tax implications of your choices.
The LegalZoom Plus consultation is not the same as hiring a lawyer. The lawyer cannot give you ongoing information, cannot represent you in court, and cannot handle disputes. It is a one-time conversation to help you understand the documents you are about to sign.
How LegalZoom documents compare to documents from a lawyer
A document created by LegalZoom will be legally valid in your state if it meets your state's requirements for signing and notarization. The language is standard and covers the most common situations. A lawyer's documents are often more detailed and tailored to your specific circumstances, but they also cost significantly more — typically $500 to $2,000 or more for a complete estate plan.
The main difference is not the legal validity of the document, but the information that comes with it. A lawyer asks questions about your goals, your family dynamics, your assets, and your concerns, and then recommends a structure that fits your situation. LegalZoom asks questions and generates a document that fits the answers you gave. If you do not know what questions to ask yourself, or if your situation does not fit the standard form, a lawyer is the better choice.
Some people use LegalZoom as a starting point and then have a lawyer review the documents before signing. This hybrid approach costs less than hiring a lawyer from the beginning but gives you the benefit of professional review.
What happens after you receive your LegalZoom documents
After you read your documents, you are responsible for the next steps. You must print them, sign them in the presence of a notary public if your state requires it, and file them with the appropriate office. LegalZoom provides written instructions for your state, but does not do this work for you.
For a will, you typically do not need to file it anywhere during your lifetime — you just keep it in a safe place and tell your executor where it is. For a living trust, you also do not file it with the court; instead, you transfer ownership of your assets into the trust's name. For a power of attorney or healthcare directive, filing requirements vary by state.
If you do not complete these steps, your documents will not be legally effective. A will that sits in a drawer unsigned is worthless. A living trust that you never funded — meaning you never transferred your assets into it — will not accomplish what you intended. LegalZoom cannot force you to do these things or remind you if you forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a LegalZoom will as legally valid as one from a lawyer?
Yes, if it meets your state's requirements for signing and notarization. The legal validity of the document is the same. The difference is that a lawyer can advise you on whether a will is the right tool for your situation, while LegalZoom cannot.
Can I change my LegalZoom documents after I sign them?
You can create a new version through LegalZoom and sign that instead, or you can add a handwritten amendment called a codicil if your state allows it. You cannot edit the original signed document. If your situation changes significantly — a marriage, a divorce, a major purchase — you should consider whether your documents still fit.
What if I need a lawyer after I buy my LegalZoom documents?
You can hire a lawyer at any time. Some lawyers will review LegalZoom documents you have already created and suggest changes. Others will ask you to start over with documents they create. Either way, you will pay the lawyer's fee in addition to what you paid LegalZoom.
Does LegalZoom work in my state?
LegalZoom operates in all 50 states, but some document types are not available in every state. When you start the questionnaire, LegalZoom will tell you which documents are available where you live and what your state's specific requirements are.
What if I do not understand the documents LegalZoom sends me?
You can purchase the LegalZoom Plus add-on to speak with a lawyer, or you can hire a lawyer separately to review the documents and explain them. LegalZoom's customer service team can answer questions about the process, but cannot explain what the legal language means or whether the documents fit your situation.