Since bridging the gap between full-service and self-service legal in 2001, LegalZoom has grown to the nation’s best-know legal services organization. Now LegalZoom is toying with their business model by moving from form filling to prepaid legal plans. LegalZoom is offering individuals and small businesses a basic legal plan for as low as $15/month.
These plans offer assistance from a local attorney on various legal issues such as contracts, collections, or intellectual property. You can see the plans at http://lztrk.com/?a=3454&c=177&p=r&s1=
While this prepaid business legal plan from a trusted name is a viable offer, is it too much of a shift from the self-service, no lawyer approach that made the business model so popular? This move is either a brilliant line extension to core clients who are inclined to do it themselves vs. hire a lawyer, or it is a boneheaded shift of focus away from a still-growing business model.
What do you think? Will these plans strengthen Legal Zoom’s business model or weaken it?