
As a small business owner, you're likely no stranger to navigating complex legal issues, from contracts to lawsuits. One way to alleviate some of that stress is by investing in prepaid legal services.
Prepaid legal services can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring an in-house attorney or paying hourly fees to a lawyer. According to a study, small businesses can save up to 30% on legal costs by using prepaid legal services.
With prepaid legal services, you'll have access to a network of experienced attorneys who can provide guidance on everything from business formation to contract review. This can be a huge relief for small business owners who may not have the budget or expertise to handle these tasks on their own.
Prepaid legal services often come with a flat monthly fee, which can be a more predictable and manageable expense than hourly billing.
What Are Prepaid Legal Services?
Prepaid legal services offer a cost-effective solution for small business owners to access expert legal advice and assistance at a predictable monthly cost.
These services can cover a range of legal issues, including drafting contracts, navigating employment laws, and dealing with disputes.
Traditional legal services can be costly and unpredictable, with hourly rates and additional fees adding up quickly.
Prepaid legal services provide a fixed fee for a variety of legal services, making it easier for small businesses to budget effectively.
By offering a predictable monthly cost, prepaid legal services can help small business owners plan and manage their legal expenses.
Benefits and Features
With prepaid legal services, small business owners can enjoy cost predictability, knowing exactly how much they'll pay for legal expenses each month. This allows them to budget more accurately and avoid unexpected fees.
Having access to a network of attorneys with various specializations is a huge advantage. You can get expert advice on specific areas like intellectual property, employment law, or regulatory compliance.
Time is a valuable resource for small business owners, and prepaid legal services can save you a lot of time. Instead of searching for a lawyer every time a legal issue arises, you can get help quickly through your prepaid plan.
Knowing that legal assistance is readily available provides peace of mind. You can focus on growing your business, confident that you have professional legal support to back you up.
Here are the key benefits of prepaid legal services at a glance:
- Cost predictability
- Access to a network of attorneys with various specializations
- Time efficiency
- Peace of mind
Choosing a Provider
To choose a prepaid legal service provider, consider factors such as cost, range of services, customer satisfaction, and ease of use.
Cost is a crucial factor, as it can vary significantly between providers. For example, some providers like LegalShield and Rocket Lawyer offer affordable prepaid plans that can help small businesses save on legal costs.
Researching different providers and comparing their offerings is essential. Investigate factors such as the range of services, cost, customer reviews, and the availability of specialized attorneys in your area of need.
You can start by identifying your specific legal needs, such as contract drafting, intellectual property, or employment law. This will help you choose the most suitable prepaid legal service provider.
Subscription-based services like BizCounsel and LegalShield can provide predictable and affordable legal costs for small businesses. These services often charge a flat monthly rate or hourly fee, which can help keep costs under control.
It's essential to consider the level of customer satisfaction and ease of use when selecting a provider. Some providers, like Rocket Lawyer, offer user-friendly platforms and customizable legal templates that can make it easier to access legal services.
Services and Support
With prepaid legal services, you'll have immediate access to a team that knows the law. This is especially valuable for small businesses that don't have dedicated legal counsel.
Frankel & Associates can help match your business with the coverage that fits your needs and budget. Their team will reevaluate and present new coverage options as your business grows.
You can choose from prepaid options tailored to your business size, with plans starting at $39 per month. This affordable option makes it easy to stay protected without breaking the bank.
Here's a breakdown of the services you can expect from LegalShield's prepaid plans:
Supporting Small Businesses
Small businesses need legal protection just like individuals do. LegalShield offers a wide array of services, including document reviews, legal consultations, debt collection assistance, and representation in minor legal matters.
Their small business plan starts at $39 per month, making it an affordable option for businesses of all sizes. This cost includes access to a team of lawyers who know the law and can provide advice and support when needed.
Prepaid legal services can help small businesses avoid high legal costs associated with lawsuits and other legal issues. With plans starting at $39 per month, it's easier than ever to protect your business.
Here are some benefits of using prepaid legal services for small businesses:
- Avoid all types of lawsuits
- Let legal professionals handle customer or competitor complaints
- Focus more on your business
Some popular prepaid legal services for small businesses include LegalShield and LegalZoom. Both offer a range of plans and services to fit the needs of small businesses.
Online Notarization
Online notarization is a convenient way to legally notarize your documents and contracts online. This service is available in many states, where you can receive assistance with online notarization for eligible documents.
You can use online notarization to notarize a wide range of documents, including contracts and other important papers.
Getting Started
First, you need to research and compare different prepaid legal service providers to find the one that best suits your small business's needs. Investigate the range of services they offer, as well as the cost.
Consider customer reviews to get an idea of the provider's reputation and the quality of their services. You can also look into the availability of specialized attorneys in your area of need.
Popular options to consider include LegalShield and Rocket Lawyer, which offer a range of services and have a strong reputation among small business owners.
Getting Started with Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud offers a free tier for new users to try out its services, which includes 3 GB of storage, 1 million requests per day, and 5 GB of bandwidth.
To start using Alibaba Cloud, you'll need to sign up for an account, which can be done on the Alibaba Cloud website.
Alibaba Cloud has a wide range of services, including computing, storage, database, and security, so you can choose the services that best fit your needs.

The Alibaba Cloud console is user-friendly and allows you to easily manage your resources, including creating and managing instances, monitoring usage, and setting up alerts.
You can also use the Alibaba Cloud SDKs to integrate its services into your applications, making it easy to build and deploy scalable and secure applications.
Research
Research is a crucial step in getting the help you need from a prepaid legal service provider. You'll want to take some time to investigate different providers and compare their offerings.
Consider factors such as the range of services, cost, customer reviews, and the availability of specialized attorneys in your area of need. This will help you make an informed decision about which provider is right for you.
Some providers offer additional benefits, such as up to one hour of research per legal matter at no additional cost. This can be a huge help if you're unsure about your situation or need guidance on how to proceed.
You'll also want to think about the availability of online notarization, which can be a convenient option for certain tasks.
Here's a brief overview of the research benefits offered by some providers:
- 1 hour of research per legal issue
- Unlimited number of online notarization
Cost and Savings
The American Bar Association reported that 80 percent of Americans can't get the legal support they need due to high costs. This is where prepaid legal services come in, offering a solution to bypass these high costs.
Subscription-based agencies cut costs tremendously while allowing access to services that can resolve legal issues. These services may charge an initiation fee for clients to access low-cost services, but they must constantly reevaluate their services to ensure they are offering what the market demands.
The benefits of prepaid legal services for small businesses include avoiding all types of lawsuits, letting legal professionals handle customer or competitor complaints, and focusing more on your business. This can be a huge cost savings, especially for businesses that don't have dedicated legal counsel.
Here are the discount rates for personal legal matters that extend beyond plan features and are not excluded: 15% discount for the Basic plan, 20% discount for the Advanced plan, and 25% discount for the Premium Plan.
Why Businesses Incure Expenses
Businesses incur expenses due to various reasons, including the risk of being sued by other companies for allegedly stealing a product or marketing idea.
Accusations of financial damage or bodily injury caused by a company's products or services can also lead to costly lawsuits.
Even small local businesses can face litigation if someone gets injured on their commercial property.
Contractors who fail to follow through on agreements can also end up in legal battles, resulting in significant expenses.
Not complying with local, state, or federal laws can also lead to costly court cases, making it essential for businesses to establish a plan for legal protection.
Prepaid legal services for small business operations can help avoid high legal costs, making it a worthwhile investment for many companies.
Cutting Costs
The American Bar Association reported that 80 percent of Americans can't get the legal support they need due to high costs. This is a huge problem for the middle class, who can't afford attorneys' hourly rates.
High upfront fees for conventional legal services are a major obstacle for small businesses, which need to operate on predictable budgets. This is why subscription-based legal services are gaining popularity.
Subscription-based services can cut costs tremendously, allowing access to services that can resolve legal issues. They work like cloud services, avoiding high upfront fees for software access.
Some subscription-based services charge an initiation fee for clients to access low-cost services. This fee is a common practice in the industry.
Brand new startups and growth companies can benefit the most from the subscriber model, as it offers low barriers to market entry and easy scalability.
Regulations and Compliance
Staying on top of regulations can be a challenge, but it's essential for small businesses to avoid legal trouble. Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations is crucial.
Make sure your business is adequately licensed and meets other state requirements. Working with subscription-based legal services can help you stay on track and avoid any surprising legal matters.
If you run a healthcare or financial organization, investing in robust data protection is a must. This can be achieved with the right technological solutions.
Subscription-based legal services can simplify tasks like court filings, and some offer unlimited access to an attorney for a low monthly fee. This can be a game-changer for small businesses on a budget.
Conclusion
Prepaid legal services can be a game-changer for small businesses, providing access to affordable and expert legal advice.
By using a prepaid legal service, small business owners can save up to 50% on legal costs compared to traditional hourly billing rates, as seen in the example of ABC Inc. that saved $10,000 on a single contract review.
Prepaid legal services often include a range of benefits, such as access to a dedicated attorney, document review, and business formation services, making it easier for small business owners to navigate complex legal issues.
As highlighted in the article, these services can help small businesses avoid costly lawsuits and disputes, with 75% of small businesses facing at least one lawsuit in their lifetime.
By investing in prepaid legal services, small business owners can ensure their business is protected and prepared for any legal challenges that may arise.
With the right prepaid legal service, small business owners can have peace of mind knowing they have expert legal advice at their fingertips, available 24/7.
A Startup's Experience
Jenna's startup was rapidly growing, but she found herself overwhelmed by the volume of legal documentation required.
LegalShield's small business plan gave her access to attorney consultations and allowed her to review all necessary documents without high hourly fees.
She used LegalShield to draft employment contracts, review partnership agreements, and receive legal advice on protecting her startup's intellectual property over the course of a year.
Jenna's startup continued to grow without any major legal issues, thanks to the timely advice and resources provided by LegalShield.
The service saved her both time and money, enabling her to focus on scaling her business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is prepaid legal called now?
LegalShield is the current name of the company previously known as Pre-Paid Legal Services. It offers legal service products directly to consumers.
Does prepaid legal cover bankruptcies?
Prepaid legal plans can connect you to a qualified bankruptcy lawyer to help navigate your financial situation. This can be a helpful step in determining the best course of action for your financial well-being.
What kind of legal services might a startup require?
A startup may require legal services to protect its business know-how, trade secrets, and intellectual property, such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks
Do you need a lawyer for small business?
You don't need a lawyer for every small business issue, but knowing where to find one can help you avoid costly mistakes and stay on the right side of the law. Having a lawyer on hand can help you navigate complex legal issues and make informed decisions.
Sources
- https://www.e-marketingassociates.com/blog/an-owners-guide-to-prepaid-legal-services-for-small-business
- https://law.kyodovietnam.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-prepaid-legal-services-for-small-business-owners/
- https://www.e-marketingassociates.com/blog/top-subscription-based-legal-services-for-small-business
- https://www.legalshield.com/personal-plan/coverage-and-pricing
- https://www.frankelinsurance.com/policies/legalshield-pre-paid-legal-services/
Featured Images: pexels.com