Why LegalZoom Won’t Actually Save You Money in the Long Run

Here’s something everyone should know — especially if you’re thinking about handling legal matters yourself: you’re not going to save money using LegalZoom.

At least not in the long run.

And yes, I know — that might sound obvious coming from a lawyer. But there’s a reason attorneys have stuck around for so long. There’s a reason people walk into my office all the time after trying to go it alone online.

DIY legal forms can only take you so far.

It’s tempting, I get it. The idea of a simple, low-cost way to set up a will, a trust, a power of attorney, a business — click a few boxes, download a form, and done. But legal planning isn’t that simple. Not in Nebraska, and not anywhere. Even for what seems like a straightforward situation, there are often subtle details or future scenarios that a generic form simply can’t anticipate.

And if you make a simple mistake — which is VERY easy to do — it can cost you 10 times what you “saved.”

Let me give you an example. I had a client — let’s call her Janice. Janice used an online service to create what she thought was a basic will. A few years later, after a major life change, her family came to me because the will didn’t properly cover certain assets — and worse, it included language that conflicted with Nebraska law. It ended up costing her family thousands of dollars in legal fees and court time to clean it up — far more than if Janice had worked with an attorney in the first place.

You get what you pay for. And expert guidance is always worth the investment.

Here’s what working with an actual lawyer gives you — that LegalZoom or any other DIY service can’t:

• Real advice based on your unique life, your family, and your goals

• Legal documents that actually comply with the most current Nebraska law — which changes more often than most people realize

• Peace of mind that your documents will do what you intend them to do — when it matters

• A relationship with an attorney you can call when life changes (because it will) or when something unexpected happens

Think of it this way: would you self-diagnose a serious medical condition using a website and expect it to be as effective as seeing a doctor? Legal matters are no different.

And here’s the thing — Nebraska law is layered and specific. I practice in estate planning, guardianships, family law, and immigration — and I see firsthand how small legal mistakes can snowball when they aren’t caught. I’ve seen families land in probate over a form that wasn’t signed correctly. I’ve seen guardianship cases delayed because paperwork was missing critical information. I’ve seen immigration applications denied because of one box that was checked wrong.

You don’t want that for yourself or your family.

LegalZoom won’t save you money if your documents don’t hold up in court. It won’t save you money if your family ends up in probate or tax trouble because something was missed. It won’t save you money when your life changes — and your DIY form no longer fits.

If you want legal documents that will stand up when it matters — and peace of mind that your affairs are truly handled — that’s where working with an experienced Nebraska attorney makes all the difference.

If you’re thinking about putting your legal house in order — whether for estate planning, guardianships, family law, or immigration — let’s talk. You can reach me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com.

An online form won’t protect you when things get complicated. Good legal advice will.