LegalZoom LLC Service Review in Virginia

Are you thinking of starting your LLC with LegalZoom? The following details can come in handy:

LegalZoom is not your ordinary professional agent that only handles the processing of papers without much legal authority. Instead, it comes with an added twist of offering legal advice to its customers, thus giving it an edge over the competition. After all, who would frown upon some legal advice when entering the murky waters of the law? This piece will focus on why using this company might be a good move for you. But before doing that, let’s start with some background information about this thriving giant.

This company opened its doors to the public in 2001 and has its headquarters in Glendale, California. Its listed founders are Brian Lee, Robert Shapiro, Edward Hartman, and Brian Liu. This startup has grown at a fast rate, with many people praising it for its affordable prices. Not only does it help you navigate legal jargon but it also drafts your papers at way less than an attorney would.

Let us now cover the intricacies of this setup and what they may spell for your business under this review

Packages

How much does LegalZoom cost?

This company offers costing based on the number of services procured. The base rate starts at $79, which is not inclusive of state fees. It is best to have an inkling of what each package involves to better understand what you would pay for in each case as follows:

Formation Prices

The current packages fall under three tiers: standard, economy and express gold as discussed below:

Economy

This LegalZoom Economy package costs the least of the three options with a base rate of $79, exclusive of the state fees. Under this setup, you can expect the following services:

• A name availability check. The site goes through registered names in its database to ensure that your name is unique. That should save you time spent scouring through various sites in the hope of finding a unique identifier.
• Filing of articles of organization. This document enables you to create your business and receive formal approval of the same. This agent works in not only drafting but also filing this document on your behalf to ensure that the process is as smooth as can be.
• A resolution to open an account. You can get this letter from the site, enabling you to open a separate bank account for the business. It stipulates who can open an account for the business, as decided by you.
• Customer service. You can reach the support team throughout the week during prescribed working hours. On weekdays, the availability runs till 10pm and on weekends, it runs till 7pm, all in ET times.

Standard

This second tier has everything you would expect of the economy package. However, this LegalZoom Standard package comes with some added fees that bring its cost to $329, exclusive of the state fees. Additional services are as follows:

• A company binder. In this, you can keep your company documents safe and organized. It also includes an embossed box that bears your business name for a more professional appearance.
• Certificates and Seal. You also receive up to 20 personalized membership certificates for the people in your team. These feature a decorative seal that adds to the aesthetic appeal of the setup.
• Speedy Processing. Under this tier, you can expect that the handling of your documents will take place at a much faster pace than that of economy members.

Express Gold

The last tier (LegalZoom Express Gold package) starts at $349, which is exclusive of the state fees. The services rendered are similar to those in the economy and standard packages, save for the following perks:

• Speedy Processing. If you form your business in a state that allows you to benefit from priority processing, this package can allow you to pursue this alternative. Instead of waiting for an approval for weeks on end, you might as well go down this road. It works best for people who are in a hurry to get things moving.
• Fast Shipping. You can expect to get your documents delivered to you through express services with a tracking number in tow.

For more information on pricing, please refer to this document.

Pros & Cons

As is the case with any setup, there will be some wins and some losses, both for the customers and the business as shown below:

Pros

• Experience. LegalZoom Virginia LLC has been in operation for almost two decades and thus offers a wealth of experience you might not find in similar setups. During this period, the company has garnered millions of customers, building its brand to a level that is not common in the industry. You can thus expect the site to offer technical knowhow on a much higher level.
• Money-Back Guarantee. With this setup, you have up to 60 days to decide if the purchase was worth the value delivered. That is quite a long time for you to make a decision, and certainly not one that most businesses would be willing to offer. This timeline ties to the company’s reputation for great services, such that it would be highly unlikely for you to ask for your money back. The fact that you can wait two months to make a move shows the level of trustworthiness in the setup.
• Free Services. Even without parting with your hard-earned cash, you can still enjoy several services from the company. These include a name search, enabling you to get started on your business formation from an early stage.
• Customer Support. You can access the technical support up to 10 pm on weekdays and 7 pm on weekends. Most companies cannot offer this type of availability, thus making this agent a great choice for you. It is especially important that you get a lot of hand-holding in the few months of formation.
• Service Variety. Other than helping you form your business; the company also enables you to enjoy other services. These include filing annual reports and drafting operating agreements. You can thus think of it as a one-stop shop to get most your needs covered.

Cons

• High Costs. Compared to most other agents operating in the country, this company offers services at a much steeper price range. Given that the economy package does not offer anything out of the ordinary compared to its competitors, it is quite hard to understand this disparity in pricing.
• Many Upsells. As you go through the processes, the site continues to take you through various upsells which relate to the business registration process. The processes cost quite a pretty dime and the overall cost can come up to more than $1,000 without including the state fees. Customers can thus find themselves spending more than was intended.
• Customer Experience. Reviews show that customers sometimes end up paying for services that they may not want, which can create a lot of frustration. You should thus be careful about any subscriptions you agree to from the start.

Should You Start an LLC With LegalZoom?

You must choose LegalZoom:

• If you would like to work with a company with a wealth of experience in legal matters and business formation.
• If you would like to work with a trusted site.
• If the ability to have your money back appeals to you.

Do not choose LegalZoom or find a suitable alternative to it:

• If you would rather not pay more for standard services
• If you do not wish to pay for services you will not use
• If you do not wish to spend a lot of money on registration services
• If you would like to receive communication fast and often

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Below are answers to common queries as to this agent: