In the past, you will require a lawyer to prepare a legal document for you. Things have changed a great deal these days, however. It is now possible to simply download those legal documents from the internet. This saves the cost of hiring a professional to prepare these documents for you. It will also save a lot of time since the document can be printed directly for your computer at home. No matter you are a law student or people ready to sue.
Many of the free legal documents available online today are free to download and you will not have issues using them even from the comfort of your home. They can also be used for free and many of the sites offering this service provide easy-to-use tools to assist the end user. Are you a law student looking for where to get textbooks or materials that can aid you in your studies? These websites can serve you just well for that.
Importance of Websites for Downloading Legal Documents
- Accessibility: They give easy access to large volumes of legal documents, ranging from contracts and agreements down to templates, which make it easier for individuals and businesses to find what they need rather than having a lawyer for every document.
- Cost-effective: Most of the sites allow free downloads or at a low cost, reducing legal expenses, especially for a startup or small businesses that are not in a position to afford full legal services.
- Time-saving: Instead of preparing any free legal documents, which can be downloaded from somewhere already prepared, users save precious time for their important work or personal affairs.
- Standardization: A lot of the aforementioned websites are designed to provide standardized documents that retain all the norms and legal regulations, thereby reducing the percentage of error or omission to a minimum.
Comparison Chart: 10 Best Websites to Find and Download Legal Documents Online
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Top 10 Websites to Find and Download Legal Documents Online
1. LegalZoom
LegalZoom is a trendy source of legal documents and services. The tool is applicable in business law, helping entrepreneurs to form their businesses from LLC or INC. The American online technology company started out in 2001 and has assisted customers in creating legal documents since its inception to date, removing the need for a lawyer it helps in creating documents like trademark applications, copyright registration, living trusts, and wills. The website obtained an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it is rated by over 6000 customers, who gave it 4.57 out of 5 stars.
Key features
- Access to a wide variety of customizable legal forms.
- Business formation services .
- Easy access to attorneys for consultative services.
Pros
- Well-established and trusted brand.
- A broad array of legal services is available, other than document downloading.
- Step-by-step business formation guide.
- Online customer support.
- Attorney consultations.
Cons
- Costlier if customized services are required.
- Attorney consultations entail added fees.
- Not all documents can be customized.
Pricing
- It starts at $39 for the documents.
- Subscription plans are also available.
2. Rocket Lawyer
This tool is an online legal service for documents and advice. The site is designed to simplify the law and also make it more affordable to all. It permits easy signing of legal documents directly online, while also providing legal advice from lawyers. The tool is perfect for those in business law and estate planning. Some of the popular document types supported by the platform include:
- Business and contract documents, like a business contract.
- Real estate documents, like lease agreements and eviction notice.
- Family and personal documents like Living Will, Last Will and Testament, etc.
Key features
- Access to a subscription-based library of legal documents.
- Advice from attorneys.
- The ability to ask questions from legal experts.
Trust pilot reviews from end-users gave the site an excellent mark.
Pros
- Very easy to use.
- Access to legal advice from licensed attorneys.
- Access to numerous customizable templates.
- The trial version is free.
- E-signature feature included.
Cons
- The monthly subscription is expensive.
- Additional cost for some templates.
- Not available for some types of documents.
Pricing
$39.99/month or $49.99 for a single document.
3. LawDepot
The platform enables end users to create custom legal documents online with ease. The document created can also be downloaded within minutes. The site can help in preparing residential tenancy agreements for free, making it the right choice for estate planning for any type of property, including single rooms, terrace houses or townhouses, semi-detached houses or duplexes, and flat or apartment buildings.
You can trust the site for documents like:
- Room rental agreement.
- Property lease agreement.
- Residential lease agreement.
Key features:
- Easily create documents online
- Step by step
- Based on templates for almost any legal scenario
- Receive a free trial as a first-time user
Pros
- Massive question library of different legal documents.
- Documents are easy to customize.
- Instructions and tips concerning each document are clearly provided.
- First-time users get a chance to try it for free.
- A variety of documents was provided.
Cons
- Limited legal advice or support.
- Some of the templates need to be carefully reviewed.
- Sometimes there is a problem with updating documents in the system.
Pricing
- 7-day free trial
- Single document: $33
- Unlimited access: $240/year
4. Nolo
The platform is a longtime publisher of legal information for individuals and small businesses. It offers a highly extensive library for free so that the law can be accessible to all at no cost. You can also access legal articles, legal services, and several DIY products on the platform. Some of the legal issues the site focuses on are:
- Employment law
- Accidents & injuries
- Criminal law
- Car accidents
- Work compensation
- Divorce & family law
- Etc,
Key features
- Comprehensive collection of law books
- Series of law articles
- Downloadable forms on many legal subjects
Pros
- Extensive library of educational resources.
- Trusted source for legal information.
- Variety of legal forms and guides.
- Excellent for DIY legal needs.
- Legal books on various topics are also sold for deeper understanding.
Cons
- Some documents have to be purchased.
- Limited interactivity to build the documents.
- May not include all legal scenarios.
Pricing
Documents typically range from $10 to $50.
5. US Legal Forms
The site has a large collection of forms and other law documents. You can also locate a legal form on the site within minutes. The site offers over 70,000 legal forms, which are state and industry-specific. The forms are also easily downloadable and can be of help to American libraries, corporations, small businesses, and law firms. It is, therefore, useful for those involved in business law and estate planning.
Some forms of documents available on the site are:
- Employment form
- Landlord tenant form
- Real estate forms
- Power of attorney form
- Wills and Estate forms
Key features
- Access to a very large, state-specific collection of legal forms with either simple search access or via customer inquiry.
- It is the leading provider of state-specific legal forms online today.
- The site offers over 70,000 downloadable documents for personal and business uses.
Pros
- Comprehensive Database suited to various states.
- Excellent Instructions and Guidelines regarding the usage of the legal forms online.
- Great for personal and business needs.
- One-off purchases are possible.
- Response to customer support is great.
Cons
- In some instances, the per-form pricing is really high.
- Some may find their subscription model confusing.
- Some forms may be outdated.
Pricing
- Starting from $29.95 for individual forms.
- $89/year for unlimited access.
6. eForms
Get access to large volumes of attorney-prepared legal document templates. The site is reliable for all Services in NIC. The site enables registering for various services that are offered by NIC. The site simplifies the processing of applications and forms for organizations in need of forms to be filled and processed. Individuals who need to fill out forms and subject matter service providers can also benefit from the site. You can access professionals who assist in filling out forms correctly. It is, therefore, useful for those involved in business law.
Some other services offered are:
- Education application
- Immigration application
- Legal application
- Finance application
Key features
- Access to free templates
- Intuitively simple search
- The ability to edit documents online
- Automated form filling
- Reliable service providers
Pros
- A comprehensive database of forms for various purposes.
- Competitive pricing model.
- Good customer support options.
- Clear instructions on each form.
- All sorts of legal resources are provided.
Cons
- Some forms require a subscription
- Advanced Legal Features are rather limited.
- Navigation could be overwhelming at times.
Pricing
- $24.95/Document
- $199.95/Yearly unlimited access
7. DocuSign
The site provides templates for various types of legal documents and has revolutionized e-signatures. The platform equally leads in Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) and it is the perfect site for those stuck in the agreement trap, enabling you to capture the critical business value hiding in your agreements. Thanks to DocuSign, you can now make decisions based on data and detailed information so that all agreements can be perfectly prepared. DocuSign is useful in the following areas:
- Human Resources
- Legal documentation
- Procurement
- Etc.
Key features
- Ease of use of the online editor
- Huge amount of document templates
- Save-and-print capability
Its Trustpilot score is 2.4, which is poor. Only 23% of end users gave the site a 5-star rating, while 68% gave it a 1-star rating.
Pros
- Industry-leading e-signature platform.
- Signatures are secure and legally binding.
- Integrates easily into other software.
- Great for managing document workflows.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Primarily an e-signature platform with limited legal templates.
- More features come at a higher cost.
- Doesn't offer comprehensive legal documentation.
Pricing
The starting price is $10 per month.
8. TemplateLab
Search and download legal forms for any scenario, including finance, Human resources, Marketing, operations, Project management, Job interview, Analytics, and Time management. The categories of legal forms available on the platform are:
- Business
- Legal
- Personal
- Real estate
- Education
- Art & Media
The site’s specific areas of expertise include estate planning and business law, among others. Some types of documents offered on the site are:
- Price comparison templates
- Business budget templates
- General ledger templates
- Purchase order templates
- Rental ledger templates
- Etc.
Key features
- Enormous database of state-specific forms
- Easy-to-use interface
- Subscription plans to get unlimited access
Pros
- The templates are free.
- A huge number of legal documents are available.
- The layout and design are simple.
- No extra hidden charges or subscriptions are required for access.
- Good for quick, basic needs.
Cons
- Limited customization ability in documents.
- Not all documents will be specific to all jurisdictions.
- Quality varies among templates.
Pricing
Free access
9. FindLaw
It is an attorney advice website and also makes available various legal documents for easy and free download. In addition, the end user can access DIY forms, news, and legal documents on the site, all for free. Local lawyers are also accessible on the site. Its specific area of expertise includes Estate planning and Business formation. Some of the services offered on the site include e-signing and e-filling services, both of which are highly useful for small businesses.
Key features
- Attorney Q&A
- User reviews
- Downloadable legal forms related to specific issues
Pros
- A fantastic wealth of legal resources and information
- Mostly free legal documents and articles
- It lets users connect to local attorneys
- It is great for legal research
- Kinds of topics to choose from
Cons
- Primarily an informational site; fewer document-creation features
- Document availability is spotty
- Advanced templates are lacking
Pricing
Free legal documents and tools
10. Lawyer.com
The site is a comprehensive legal information site that targets law-related resources and it is available globally. Some of its practice areas are:
- Criminal Law
- Divorce & Family Law
- Estate
- Motor Vehicle
- Real Estate.
Consequently, those involved in estate planning can find help on the site. Many of its previous clients also appreciate the services offered here, earning it a good review on Trustpilot. They have assisted several individuals in finding the right attorney in different parts of the world.
Key features
- Free legal forms
- Articles about many subjects related to the law.
- Access to a lawyer directory to find legal help.
Pros
- Provides access to local attorney connections.
- Combination of template and advice resources.
- Finding a lawyer function is easy to navigate.
- Some content is available for free access.
- Community-based support.
Cons
- Fewer document options as compared to others.
- Attorney matching seems to dominate the document aspect.
- Attorney fees can be all over the map.
Pricing
- Free access to documents
- Attorney fees vary
The Tips for Choosing the Right Website to Find and Download Legal Documents
- Determine the type of document needed: Do you need a standard document like a contract, will, lease and power of attorney, or a specialty document for estate planning and document for the formation of businesses? You should also determine the jurisdiction requirements depending on the country. Make sure the documents reflect the laws in your location.
- What is your budget: Look for legitimate websites offering free templates, such as government websites or websites of legal aid organizations. Good examples are Template Lab, FindLaw and Lawyer.com. If your documents are more involved or require customization, then the for-payment services like Nolo can be good for you. Some sites offer subscription services, which could be more economical if you will be preparing multiple documents. Some of them are Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom.
- How proficient are you in legal matters: If you are a novice, you will want to choose sites offering easy-to-use templates and instructions like Template Lab. If you are more advanced, you may prefer sites offering the ability to customize templates or access to more involved legal documents. eForms have some advanced features for end users.
- Research sources you can trust: You can start with established legal websites like Nolo, LegalZoom, or Rocket Lawyer that provide you with dependable document templates. You should also check the reviews of other users to determine quality and dependability.
Tips for Using of Legal Documents Effectively
- Choose your sources: Go only for the services offered by renowned websites for legal documents through publicized portals, including LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer among others, that are reputed to be good and follow all legal requirements.
- Understand what type of document you require: You should know what you need, whether it's a contract, will, or tenancy. There are different documents for specific needs, each with its own set of legal characteristics.
- Review before filling out: Before filling in any information, it will be very important to go through the entire document for proper structure and the vital components it encompasses. Going through, this will let you know what changes or customization might be needed.
- Verify compliance: Ensure this document complies with the laws in your state or country. Many legal forms have a specific form when or content depending on the jurisdiction.
FAQs
Q: What kind of legal documents can I find online?
A: You can find all kinds of legal documents, anything from contracts and agreements to wills, incorporation, and real estate forms, among many more. It depends on the website, though.
Q: Are the documents legally binding?
A: Most of the documents downloaded from these renowned sites are legally valid if you fill them out and sign them correctly. However, it is always advisable to consult a legal professional that they will meet your needs.
Q: Will I pay to download a legal document?
A: Most of those websites would give out templates free, but some require either a subscription or a one-time fee to access better documents or advice from the council.
Q: Can the legal documents be edited?
A: Yes, most websites allow you to edit legal documents according to your specific needs. These platforms typically offer a variety of tools, including guides and templates that are fully editable, enabling you to customize the documents easily and ensure they meet your requirements for any legal purpose.
