Legal Shield Review: Comprehensive Analysis of Benefits, Pricing, and Customer Experience
Legal Shield is a company that offers legal service plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Many people wonder if these plans really make it easier and more affordable to get legal advice. Legal Shield provides access to licensed attorneys for a monthly fee, making it an option for those who want legal help without high hourly costs.
Some customers use Legal Shield for things like document reviews, letters, or quick legal questions. Others join because they want peace of mind if a legal issue comes up. This review covers how Legal Shield works, what its plans include, and what users can expect if they sign up.
What Is Legal Shield?
Legal Shield offers access to legal help for a monthly fee. It aims to make legal advice and services affordable for both individuals and small businesses.
Company Overview
Legal Shield was founded in 1972 and is based in Ada, Oklahoma. It was created to give people a simple way to get legal help without paying high hourly fees to attorneys. Today, Legal Shield serves millions of members in the United States and Canada.
The company offers several plans for families, singles, and businesses. Members pay a set monthly price and can contact attorneys for help with things like contracts, traffic tickets, and landlord issues. Legal Shield’s network includes law firms in every state, making help available no matter where a member lives.
Key facts:
| Founded | 1972 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Ada, Oklahoma |
| Services | Legal advice, document review, trial defense, identity theft protection |
How Legal Shield Works
Members join by choosing and paying for a plan online or by phone. After joining, they get access to a team of lawyers in their state. Members can call these lawyers for advice, send in documents for review, or get help writing legal letters.
Some plans cover special areas like small business, family law, and trial defense. For example, the business plan helps with legal questions about contracts or hiring workers. The family plan helps with legal issues at home, like disputes with landlords or making a will.
Legal Shield also offers identity theft protection as an add-on. This service monitors personal information and helps fix problems if a member’s identity is stolen. Members can manage their account and open cases through a mobile app or online dashboard.
Legal Shield Plans and Pricing
Legal Shield offers different plans for individuals and businesses. Each plan has its own coverage options, features, and monthly costs.
Personal Plans
Legal Shield’s personal plans give members access to legal advice, document review, and help with common legal issues. These plans often cover topics like wills, landlord-tenant problems, traffic tickets, and consumer protection.
The most basic plan is the Personal Legal Plan, which usually costs around $29.95 per month. This includes help from a local law firm, 24/7 emergency access, and standard document preparation.
There is also an add-on for family identity theft protection, which costs about $14.95 extra each month. This covers identity monitoring and restoration services for all family members. Plan benefits can vary by state, so it’s important to check local details.
Business Plans
Legal Shield offers several business plans for small businesses. These plans help with things like legal consultations, reviewing documents, debt collection letters, and trial defense services.
The main options are:
| Plan Name | Monthly Cost | Documents Reviewed | Included Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Business 10 | $49/month | 10/year | Consultations, templates, debt collection letters |
| Small Business 50 | $99/month | 20/year | More consultations, increased document reviews |
| Small Business 100 | $169/month | 40/year | Expanded support, priority service |
Each business plan comes with a set number of contract reviews and phone consultations each year. The higher the plan, the more legal coverage is offered, so companies should choose based on their needs.
Cost Comparison
Legal Shield’s monthly costs are clear and competitive compared to hiring a law firm directly.
A standard individual plan costs about $29.95/month, while business plans start at $49/month. Adding identity theft protection increases the personal plan price.
Here's a quick comparison of average plan pricing:
| Plan Type | Typical Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Personal | $29.95 |
| Personal + ID Theft | $44.90 |
| Business 10 | $49 |
| Business 50 | $99 |
| Business 100 | $169 |
Legal Shield lists its prices online, making it easy to see what is included. There are no hidden fees, though some extras may require additional payment, depending on what is needed.
Key Features and Benefits
Legal Shield gives access to licensed attorneys for advice, document review, and courtroom support. These services are part of Legal Shield offerings aimed at making legal help affordable and easy to use.
Legal Consultation
Legal Shield members can talk to a lawyer about personal legal matters. This includes unlimited consultation on most common topics, such as traffic tickets, landlord issues, and family concerns.
Members phone the law firm, explain their issue, and get answers from a licensed attorney in their state. Pros include fast responses and clear explanations in simple language.
Consultations cover standard topics, but some niche legal problems may not be included. Questions about contracts, disputes, and rights are common uses. The service helps people avoid costly legal fees for simple advice.
If a situation is not covered or is more complex, the attorney will explain next steps or offer a discounted rate for extra help.
Document Review
Legal Shield reviews personal legal documents as part of their monthly plan. Members can send contracts, rental agreements, or letters to be checked by a lawyer.
Common documents reviewed include:
- Leases
- Employment agreements
- Consumer contracts
Attorneys will point out unfair terms, errors, or missing information. This can protect members before they sign anything important.
There are limits. Typically, documents up to 15 pages are covered per review. Extra or business documents may require a fee. Still, even one document review per year can justify the membership for many users.
Trial Defense Services
Legal Shield offers support if a member is sued or needs to defend themselves in court. The plan provides attorney time toward pre-trial and trial defense.
Hours included in the plan increase the longer someone stays a member. For example, members may receive 60 hours of trial defense in the first year, increasing up to 300 hours in the fifth year.
These hours cover attorney work such as preparing documents, representing members in court, and giving strategic advice. Criminal defense is included for moving traffic violations. Other legal cases, like contract disputes, are also covered under certain conditions.
Some limits apply, especially for existing legal issues before membership began. Extra hours or complex cases can involve additional costs, but discounted rates are usually available for members.
Pros and Cons of Legal Shield
Legal Shield offers prepaid legal services through monthly plans. While some users find value in the coverage, others have raised concerns about certain features.
Advantages
Legal Shield provides affordable access to legal help for individuals, families, and small businesses. Members pay a set monthly fee, often lower than hiring a lawyer by the hour. It includes services like contract reviews, consultation calls, document preparation, and letters sent on the client’s behalf.
A key advantage is unlimited phone consultations with a network of attorneys. Many users appreciate quick answers to legal questions. Certain legal issues, such as speeding tickets or landlord disputes, are covered at no extra cost through the plan.
Members also get a mobile app to manage legal requests easily. In some plans, a will, power of attorney, or living will is provided at no added charge. Small businesses can access help with document review, debt collection, and more, which can save time and money.
Disadvantages
Legal Shield does not cover every legal situation. Cases like divorce, criminal defense, or certain complex lawsuits may only be discounted, not fully covered. Some members report that attorney quality and response time can vary, depending on location and specific providers.
Only participating law firms in the Legal Shield network can be used. Choosing a lawyer outside of this network is not covered. Extra fees can apply for legal actions that go beyond what is described in the core service agreement.
The monthly fee is ongoing even if the user rarely needs legal services. Cancellation can sometimes be a slow process, and customer service reviews are mixed. Certain benefits, like trial defense, have coverage caps or limits, which may not meet everyone’s needs.
User Experiences and Reviews
Many people use Legal Shield for access to legal help at a lower cost than hiring a lawyer on their own. Experiences can vary based on what kind of legal issue a customer has and where they live.
Customer Satisfaction
Most Legal Shield customers say they like the affordable monthly plans and find the service easy to use. Many users mention the help they receive with simple legal questions, document reviews, and getting advice over the phone.
Some customers have written positive reviews about the fast response times. People who need help with things like traffic tickets or basic legal papers often report being satisfied. Customers also appreciate having access to a network of lawyers across different states.
Here is a list of features people commonly like:
- 24/7 emergency access to a lawyer
- Document review and consultation services
- Mobile app for quick contact
Many users feel Legal Shield is a good choice for legal matters that are simple or routine.
Common Complaints
Some customers say they are unhappy with the level of service for more complex or serious cases. There are reports of delays with getting callbacks or connecting to an attorney, especially during busy times.
A few people say the lawyers provided may not always be local or familiar with their specific problem. Some reviews mention extra fees for legal work not covered in the standard plan, which can surprise users.
Common complaints include:
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Delays in response | Waiting longer than expected for help |
| Limited coverage | Additional costs for some legal services |
| Varying lawyer experience | Some lawyers are less responsive or helpful |
Reading the fine print before buying a plan helps people understand what is and is not covered.
Is Legal Shield Worth It?
Legal Shield offers prepaid legal services for a monthly fee. This includes access to lawyers for advice, document review, and some court representation, but there are limits to the coverage and types of legal help provided.
Who Should Consider Legal Shield
Legal Shield may suit people who want legal advice without high hourly fees. It’s helpful for small business owners, landlords, and families who may need contracts reviewed or basic legal questions answered several times a year.
Freelancers or those starting a business could benefit from help with business forms, debt collection, or legal consultation. Tenants and landlords who manage leases or face routine disputes may find the service useful. People who rarely deal with legal issues may not get much value.
Some key features include:
- 24/7 emergency access
- Document review (up to 15 pages per contract)
- Letters or phone calls on your behalf
- Limited trial defense
However, some legal matters such as more serious court cases or criminal defense are not fully covered.
Alternatives to Legal Shield
There are other legal service options besides Legal Shield. Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom let users create legal documents online, access legal advice, or hire a lawyer one-on-one. These services may offer one-time fees instead of monthly subscriptions.
Some people prefer searching for a local attorney for more direct and personal service, especially for complex or serious legal issues. Many local lawyers offer a free first consultation, which could be enough for straightforward matters.
Comparison Table:
| Service | Cost Structure | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Shield | Monthly fee | Ongoing legal needs, quick advice |
| Rocket Lawyer | Subscription/pay | One-time legal documents, advice |
| Local Attorney | Hourly/retainer | Complex or local legal cases |
Conclusion
Legal Shield gives people and small businesses a way to get legal help without paying high lawyer fees each time.
Some of the main advantages:
- Flat monthly fees make costs predictable
- Access to attorneys for advice and document review
- Coverage includes personal and business legal issues
There are a few limits to consider:
- Not all providers are equal in every state
- Some special or complex legal cases may cost extra
- Plan details and coverage can vary by location
Legal Shield may fit best for those who want legal advice with less worry about high costs. It's helpful for people who want quick answers to legal questions.
Before signing up, check the plan details in your area. Make sure the services cover your needs.
The service can help with common legal matters. For unique or serious cases, people might still need to work with outside lawyers.
Taking time to compare Legal Shield to other options could help buyers decide if it fits their situation.
