Owning a business comes with a lot of red tape. You’ll need to review contracts and ensure documents are filed properly. Perhaps you might even have to deal with upset customers threatening to sue. Because of this, running a business is a lot easier when you have a lawyer by your side.
But choosing the right attorney for you can be tough. There are so many choices out there. How can you find the right one for you? Do you go with an traditional firm or should you pick an online business lawyer? This is a big decision. Before you make your choice, here are some of the things you should weigh up.
Advantages Of An Online Business Lawyer
Online law firms have exploded in popularity over the past few years. There are plenty of factors that explain why businesses are willing to embrace online attorneys, these include:
- Lower prices. Online firms are significantly cheaper than traditional options. Expect to save hundreds of dollars. Lower prices are particularly beneficial for small businesses, who might struggle to pay the high fees associated with a traditional attorney.
- Ease of use. Many online firms adopt a self-service system. You’ll be asked a series of questions. Simply plug in your answers and the firm will generate a document tailored to meet your needs. The best part is that the process will only take a few minutes.
- More flexibility. An online business attorney is available around the clock. This is perfect for small business owners, who need to balance a busy schedule.
Downsides Of Using An Online Business Lawyer
However, there is a major disadvantage to using an online business lawyer. To find the problem, you just need to read the fine print. Popular sites, like LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer, aren’t law firms. The terms of use make it clear that they aren’t providing legal advice. This makes it difficult to establish attorney-client privilege.
Instead, these online business attorneys are providing legal templates. You answer questions to help them customize the form to better suit your business. Sometimes, you need to file these documents yourself. This means that there is still a chance that the information is incorrect or that it could be improperly filed. Small mistakes like this can snowball into major legal issues.
Other downsides of an online business lawyer include:
- You might not get the same attention as a traditional law firm. A traditional lawyer will typically do a more thorough job of preparing their documents. This means that they might catch mistakes that an online business attorney would miss.
- Might not be best for complex legal jobs. Some people find that it’s easier to meet in person to discuss complex legal procedures. This is especially important when discussing sensitive details. Though online firms take strict precautions, they can still be hacked. If the worst occurs your privileged information could be leaked.
When To Use An Online Business Attorney
Whether an online business lawyer is a good fit will often depend on your needs. If you are looking to prepare some simple documents, online services could be ideal. If you have a basic knowledge of the law, you can even check and file the agreements yourself.
However, if you are dealing with more complex legal issues, a traditional firm might be best. You’ll be able to get more in-depth advice. However, you will need to be prepared to pay a higher fee.
Another popular option is to take a hybrid approach. Some small business owners opt to use online law firms to prepare templates and documents themselves. From there, they can get a traditional lawyer to review the documents. This lets them catch any mistakes that might have been made. They can also get the traditional lawyer to file the documents. Taking this approach can give you the best of both worlds. You’ll be able to cut your legal fees substantially while getting peace of mind that everything has been done properly.
What To Look For When Choosing A Good Business Lawyer
Not all online business attorneys are created equal. Some are excellent. Others are to be avoided at all costs. Here are some ways to find high-quality attorneys:
- Type of services offered. Before you commit, read through the services page. Make sure that they can offer the type of business advice that your business needs.
- Reputation. Read through user reviews. You need to make sure that you are engaging a legal provider that has built a reputation for providing quality services.
- Price. Online business attorneys tend to charge lower prices than traditional lawyers. Just make sure to look out for any add-on charges or hidden fees.
Conclusion
Business owners need the support of a good legal team. Most of the time, it makes sense to hire an online business attorney. They’ll be able to help you prepare documents and provide quality legal advice. All for a fraction of the cost of a traditional lawyer.
