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LegalShield

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5.6

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: March 15th, 2022

LegalShield, also known as Pre-Paid Legal, develops and markets pre-paid legal plans for legal services through a network of more than 6,900 independent provider attorneys across the U.S. and Canada. For a monthly fee, members can access law firms without having to worry about hourly bills. LegalShield's primary goal is to provide affordable legal protection for everyone who needs it. Among the best online legal service companies we have reviewed, LegalShield offers a variety of legal documents and are among the most affordable. At the bottom of this page check out some LegalShield reviews.

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The Good

  • Various Legal Services Available
  • 24/7 Emergency Service
  • Affordable Prices
  • Plan Options 
  • Experience
  • Mobile App
  • MLM Business Model

Various Legal Services Available

LegalShield offers a variety of legal advice so customers can choose a plan that best fits their needs. Also, LegalShield offers several products and services, like identity theft protection, real estate advice, divorce advice, speeding tickets, will preparation, and more.

Customer service has great reviews from consumers. A Resource Center is available 24/7 that provides definitions and explanations for difficult legal topics and legal matters.

LegalShield has made it very easy for members to contact a lawyer whenever they have legal questions or need legal assistance. Members are given a toll-free number to their Provider Law Firm.

24/7 Emergency Service

LegalShield wanted to ensure that customers could have access to their legal forms and service at any time. For this reason a LegalShield associate is available 24/7.

Affordable Prices

The cost for a LegalShield membership is broken down into four options, Personal/Family Plans start at $24.95 a month, Small Business Plan start at $39.00 a month, Commercial Driver Plan start at $12.95 a month, and Identity Theft Plan at $12.95 a month.

Personal/Family Plans- LegalShield offers unlimited legal advice, trial defense services, coverage for your family, and 24/7 Emergency Assistance for $24.95 per month.

An upgraded version of this Family Package will cost $44.95 per month but assists customers with moving violations, DOT violations, tragic accident assistance, Will preparation, IRS audit, and many other legal services.

Small Business Plans- This service provides small business owners with professional legal advice at a much lower cost. This package gives small businesses access to all LegalShield features starting at $39.00 per month. Price may vary on the size of the company.

Small business owners can't afford an on-site attorney but they also can't afford to not have legal advice. This saves companies thousands of dollars each year for access to all of LegalShield's documents, attorneys, and professional help.

Commercial Driver Plan- Commercial drivers tend to have unique questions when it comes to legal matters. The Basic Commercial Drivers Legal Package offers a wide variety of services starting at $32.95 per month. Upgrading to the Super Commercial Drivers Legal Plan costs $44.95 a month.

Identity Theft Plan- With thousands and thousands of hackers and scammers throughout the world, IDShield is a product created by LegalShield to protect individuals and families from the Dark Web and identity theft. It's individual IDShield Plan costs $12.95 a month, and for the IDShield Family Package it is $27.95.

IDShield immediately starts monitoring your ID and alerts you when there are suspicious issues with your ID. It has programs that search your credit records, public records, court records, the sex offender lists, address changes, payday loan, high-risk applications or transactions, and it also monitors your information that appears on the Dark Web. These features protect you from identity theft, the dark web, and credit card fraud.

This package is one of the most useful packages we have seen. Not only does LegalShield protect individuals from the law, but also protects from hackers, scammers, and identity theft.

Experience

On average, a LegalShield attorney has 19 years tenure in their profession and 13 years as a LegalShield associate. It has helped clients with almost everything that could require a lawyer. Everything from identity theft to a car accident, LegalShield can offer help in a variety of situations.

Mobile App

The LegalShield app gives customers access to all of their documents and files instantly. The app provides customers with the legal forms they need and getting answers to simple questions.

MLM Business Model

LegalShield is a Multi-Level Marketing business. This business model can be a good thing for those looking to make a little extra money. Sadly, it has been known to scare off potential customers. In the case of LegalShield, this business model has helps cut down on costs for legal assistance and provide competitive rates that other law firms can't offer.

Multi-Level Marketing is when customers of its product or services become brand ambassadors. Customers sign up for a membership and as they refer friends to join LegalShield they make money. Some people are scared of the MLM business model because there is a stigma that people who join only lose money or its all just a pyramid scheme. These ideas could not be farther from the truth.

Because each client is also a potential employee, LegalShield takes care of its members better than most of its competition. Customers clearly show their support in the reviews below. The LegalShield complaints are often particular and do not apply to the entire company but to a specific employee or moment. LegalShield's reviews are among the best we have seen in the online legal service market.

Put simply, this business opportunity does not force you to sell products but rather recruit friends and family to use LegalShield's services. The compensation plan is simply receiving a portion of the service price each month the person you referred is still a member (also called a residual income). In simple terms it is a glorified referral program. Customers just reap the benefits every month instead of a one time offer.

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The Bad

  • No Filing
  • No Free Trial
  • Enrollment Fee

While LegalShield does offer some beneficial services for a reasonable price, there are limitations as well. There is no testing period for potential clients which can create problems. There is also some missing information regarding important legal processes and whether or not LegalShield handles these cases.

No Filing

LegalShield does not mention whether or not it's contracted law firms will file legal documents for their members. However, LegalShield's lawyers will provide direction on how to do so.

No Free Trial

LegalShield does not currently offer a free trial to potential members, which does not allow prospective members to test the water before deciding if they should choose this company for their legal needs.

Enrollment Fee

There is a $10 one-time enrollment fee when signing up for LegalShield. New members are required to pay this fee and is non-refundable.

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The Bottom Line

For those who want to save money and want to feel like they have a personal attorney without paying a high hourly rate, LegalShield is a great option. Members can pay as little as $20 a month to have 24/7 access to a Provider Law Firm in their area.

This service is great if you have quick legal questions or need help completing legal forms. Among all customer reviews and responses, we have received, feedback has been positive. If customers find that they are regularly in need of legal representation, legal assistance, or specific legal advice, this is a great option. Not only do you have access to a lawyer at any given moment, but you can also make money as you refer people who also need legal advice.

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Star Rating

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3.9

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189 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

64%

4 grade

10%

3 grade

2%

2 grade

3%

1 grade

22%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Trustworthiness

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Matt Winston Salem, NC

I have had exceptional service from my LegalShield plan and have had many contracts reviewed, my estate planning for me and my wife completed without charge and because I have kids, the LegalShield Attorneys help us with tickets received in and out of the state I live saving me time and money on my insurance. I've been able to save money and make better and informed decisions for my family. Who ever wrote the overview has made several errors in "The Bad" section. There is no need for a "Trial Offer" because a member can cancel their service at any time without any penalties. Even after 30 days of use. You also have access to a referral attorney at a preferred member discounted hourly rate when you need representation in court. Most people are not in need of "regular" representation in court, unless they are criminals. Even then, your LegalSHield Network attorneys will take care you. So you see I "have" an attorney I dont just "feel like I have one....

11 years ago

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Aziz Soomro DE

In 1983 I found and built Aim Insurance of Texas in Houston Tx. In 2003, I was blessed with two memberships. Family and Business Legal Plan. When middle of 2003, my own Homeowners Insurance Company gave me hard time on my own Homeowner insurance claim for 3 months, i called legal Shield. They wrote a letter and within 10 days $17000 showed up.. Later that year when I and my Company was sued for $1.5 millions, legal Shield Attorney defended me successfully for SEVEN solid years, and my total cost was only $1000 because (as I understand now), every year defense hours increase to a total of 300 in year 5 onwards without raising premiums... Needless to say that "I am legal Shield for life". Anyone needs to see copies of those two documents can request via email. Aziz Soomro, LUITCF Houston Tx.

11 years ago

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Paul Dorado Elberta, UT

I purchased Legal Shield from a friend of mine, he knew i was constantly going to Court where I appeared Pro Se for some time. Am I glad I did, My Ex Wife no longer can wait for the last minute to do what has been Court Ordered. With the Help of Darren Watts, I was able to recover my attorneys fees for a frivolous motion she brought before Fourth District Court. I received the award on April 17th 2015. However because of My Ex Wifes procrastination in paying me the amount I was awarded and opted NOT to pay within the 30 days I had given her to pay me rather paid me roughly 4 months later. She now owes me 179.00 dollars, and I'm planning on Collecting every penny, nickel and dime. For this simple reason, I've had to come up with a means to pay My Attorney at a moments notice and so Should She. After all "What's Good for the Goose is, Good for the Gander."

11 years ago

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Jim Annandale, MN

I have been using LegalShield for nearly seven years now. At first, I just figured that I'd get our wills and other paper work done up. My wife and I have used it for a variety of purposes that we never would have thought of when we subscribed from employment law questions, to tax questions, for protecting my identity as a result of personal information being compromised, for my wife's business a couple of times and to help when our teenage daughter was implicated in a traffic situation that we had proof that she had nothing to do with. It has saved us quite a bit of time, headache and money. I have been very pleased with how the provider attorneys have been "Johnny on the spot" when we need them and customer service has always been helpful when we call them. Wish I could get this level of service every where else that I have to deal with.

11 years ago

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Karen Zalewski Cheboygan, MI

My son ran into some major real estate problems when purchasing a home. He needed an attorney and to get get needed legal documents, that he found out were going to cost big $$$$$$ LS gave him the needed info for a documents web site that he could do himself and avoid expensive attorney fees etc. He was saved a lot of money, without an attorney or expensive documents. My daughter had trouble with a phone and the company she purchased it from.......They were not going to replace it until after she returned it and waited for them to receive it, etc. leaving her who knows how long without a phone. After LS intervened, she received a new phone by the end of the week...

11 years ago

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Mary Pichette Surrey, BC

I had a bad experience with a lawyer. I called my field rep who walked me through the complaint process and I got to talk to a different lawyer. The first refused to even look at my contract, the second reviewed it and was very helpful in giving me some important information on what to watch for going forward. My field rep was a good listener and put no pressure on me to "stay" as a member. As a result of my second experience, I am glad to have this membership. I guess not all lawyers are suited for this empowering service. It is good to now I have back up!

6 years ago

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Carol Kent Sacramento, CA

My family has had Legal Shield way back when it was first known as Pre-Paid Legal! We have used their services countless time and in all cases we have been more than satisfied with the results! Most recently I contacted an attorney about a contract my husband and I signed when we were both ill... I already knew the answer - but I needed confirmation. I didn't like the answer I got (I wasn't happy with it) but I knew that it was the correct answer. This organization has saved my family many times! I am very glad to have it.

11 years ago

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April Wright Aliso Viejo, CA

I have been a happy member for 6 months. I have found many situations regarding employment, taxes and HOA to name a few where having the ability to consult an attorney was extremely helpful. My father uses his small biz membership for his corporation and it has saved him thousands in attorney fees over the years. Everyone has trivial legal matters and questions come up all the time they just may not realize it because they don't think they can call an attorney. With LegalShield our family feels protected and at ease knowing we have a team of dedicated attorneys on our side.

11 years ago

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Karen S Snyder Raleigh, NC

The membership offers more than expected and what most families need. The 25% discount can be substantial if there is information or action required outside of the membership. Being covered nationwide for traffic violations and for emergency situations is comforting. The whole family is covered for one price and the price doesn't change because you use it.

11 years ago

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Randy San Angelo, TX

I have had LegalShield for 7 years now and have to say that it has been the best experience for legal services that I have ever had. The product works just like they say it dose. It dose not always cover ever thing at no cost and for any one to think that it dose that person either heard what they wanted to or the person explaining the product did not explain it properly. As for me could not be more impressed with the service!

11 years ago

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Phil Dambach Idaho Falls, ID

I used to be a member back when it was called Pre-Paid Legal, there was some serious medical issues that forced us to drop out and when things really got bad I forgot all about it and then I wished I still had back then, but I have it now and within a week they alerted me on a contract that I was going to sign for the refi on the house to the tune of 80K and I missed completely and the mortgage company fixed the problem right up. I am now an associate for Legal Shield, and plan to keep it for a long time.

11 years ago

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Phil Dambach Idaho Falls, ID

Just reinstated my membership, wish I had never dropped it years ago. I'm glad that I did, refinanced our home and they found some errors in the paperwork that even the mortgage company couldn't answer. So the problem was fixed thanks to Legal Shield. Looking forward to staying on as a member with all the identity theft that is going around. Great company.

11 years ago

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Billy Eau Claire, WI

Needed to update my will and medical directives. Called the lawfirm and was told I'd get a reply within 8 bsns hours. 38 minutes later I was getting my questions answered and sent the forms to update. Great response and the attorney cal.ed my fears.

4 years ago

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Reply from LegalShield

Billy, thank you for your review. We are happy to hear that our team was able to provide you with the legal support you needed for this matter. With LegalShield, finding solutions to your legal issues doesn’t have to be stressful, complicated, or expensive. Thank you for being a valued member!

Mar. 3rd, 2022

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Guy Westbury, NY

I've had LegalShield for over 7 years now, and I can truly say this is a much needed service for me and my family. Because I'm a real estate investor, this service just makes sense. the provider law firm here in New York is really on point.

11 years ago

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Carlos Miami, FL

It is an unique service that everyone needs. Legal shield has saved me close to $10,000. Thank you Legalshield!

11 years ago

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Marc Constantino TX

Excellent service! Attorneys have been very knowledgeable and very fast to respond.

11 years ago

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Mike Charlotte, NC

Membership is inexpensive. The legal advise so far has been exceptional

11 years ago

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Aaron Martinez-Campos Denver, CO

Ive used them for business mostly and its been really helpful.

11 years ago