LegalZoom Divorce Review – How This Online Divorce Service Really Works

What Is It? | Who Is Eligible? | How Does It Work? | Which States? | How Long Does It Take? | How Much Does It Cost? | Is It Legitimate? | Online Reviews | Pros & Cons | Competitors | Alternatives | FAQs

The Final Answer
Review Summary: While LegalZoom is one of the most recognized online legal document services out there, it seems that their online divorce division falls short of their other divisions. Overall, the service is legitimate, however, the lack of positive online reviews (or any reviews) means most consumers should look at alternative online divorce services. Our Rating: (2.4/5.0 Below Average) Our Rankings: LegalZoom Divorce comes in #8 out of 10 in our “Best Online Divorce” rankings, you can see for yourself what is offered on LegalZoom's site here. Our #1 recommendation is 3StepDivorce, you can read our detailed review here, or check out 3StepDivorce now >>.

When going through a divorce, a person can expect no short amount of challenges and difficulties, which is a primary reason why people acquire legal representation.

Although it may not be required by law to hire a lawyer (depending on the state in which you live, of course), it’s still a good idea to get some sort of professional consultation before any proceedings occur.

The Institute of Family Studies (IFS) asserts that out of every 1,000 marriages, around 14% end in divorce.

Even though this represents a lower divorce rate than the United States has seen in decades, there are still plenty of people who would like to pursue a divorce on the cheap and without difficulty.

An online divorce is a popular option that is gaining traction with people from all walks of life.

Below, we go over our LegalZoom Divorce review, which will help readers understand one commonly used avenue that people explore when experiencing a divorce.

What is LegalZoom Divorce?

LegalZoom has been around for more than 14 years and their LegalZoom Divorce service has been added recently to capitalize on their brand name.

Both businesses and individuals have utilized LegalZoom for legal aid of a variety of types. LegalZoom.com focuses on providing access to independent attorneys and any self-help services needed, depending on the nature and direction of a person’s legal matters.

“Whatever your legal need, we have the answer,” LegalZoom’s site states. The site highlights a variety of services regarding copyrights, divorce, estate planning, business, name changes, patents, power of attorney, real estate, trademark registration, and even prenuptial agreements as well.

Who Is Eligible To Use LegalZoom Divorce?

LegalZoom Divorce services are available in all 50 states to individuals who need to finalize an uncontested divorce. There is an initial questionnaire that users will have to fill out to determine eligibility.

LegalZoom is transparent about its practices and terms and communicates any issues promptly if they arise.

Requirements

LegalZoom Divorce is a good fit if:

  • The location of both spouses is known
  • You and your spouse don't have a lot of assets or you 100% agree on the division of the assests
  • You and your spouse agree on co-parenting terms (or you don't have children)
  • You and your spouse are not arguing and both want an amicable divorce, or a mediator is involved and you need to complete your own divorce papers.

Keep in mind, it costs an average of $15,000 in attorney fees if you file for divorce with an attorney. So it is financially a good option to use an online divorce service such as LegalZoom Divorce or or our #1 choice 3StepDivorce if you are eligible.

Check out 3StepDivorce now >>

How Does LegalZoom Divorce Work?

Common reasons for divorce include financial hardship, infidelity, lack of communication, or simply two people growing apart from each other over time.

Depending on the circumstances of your divorce proceedings, it might make sense to look into whether or not you are eligible to use LegalZoom for an uncontested divorce.

LegalZoom Divorce walks you through a relatively simple process and handles forms and filing for customers.

You are required to fill out an initial questionnaire before starting proceedings. LegalZoom charges a flat rate instead of sending clients an unexpected bill.

LegalZoom can be contacted via phone, email, or even chat whenever support is needed — at any stage of the divorce process.

Here is how the LegalZoom Divorce process works.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility.

picture of legalzoom divorce step 1

Step 2: Complete the online interview.

Step 3: Print your completed forms & instructions.

What’s Included – Features and Functionality

As with any online legal service, you might be wondering about features and functionality. When you hire professional legal representation, you can count on your lawyer being well educated on legal matters relevant to your situation.

Divorce lawyers will help you at every stage of the process, but they will charge you an hourly rate.

LegalZoom Divorce provides legal documentation services that help users execute uncontested divorces without needing to hire an attorney. Once you have completed an initial questionnaire, they’ll complete the divorce documents as well as a marital settlement agreement.

LegalZoom also provides resources through its Education Center, including a glossary of complicated terms in addition to alternative resources to help users make well-informed decisions during the divorce process.

Easy to Use?

LegalZoom Divorce ends up being more cost-effective than undergoing an arduous divorce settlement. They are easy to work with, their site is user-friendly, and their support team is there to answer any questions or concerns for customers during any stage of the process.

Editing Capabilities

Users who are eligible for LegalZoom’s online divorce services fill out a questionnaire and can print completed forms. Users receive precise instructions for filing after completion. If any edits or revisions are required, if it is within LegalZoom’s power, they will help with any issues that arise during the divorce process.

Customer Support

Customer support is available Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST and on weekends, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST. Users can also submit any questions as they arise, no matter the time of day, and representatives will be in contact as soon as they are available.

Guarantee

LegalZoom offers a premium package and provides its services in all 50 states, guaranteeing customer satisfaction, backed by lifetime customer support. If a customer is unsatisfied with them, LegalZoom offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.

What States Are LegalZoom Divorce Available in?

LegalZoom is available for people living in all 50 states and has served over 4 million customers for various legal services. Users can start their online divorce easily and at their convenience.

Pro Tip: Remember that these services are only available if the divorce is uncontested. If both spouses agree on the divorce terms, you can use LegalZoom Divorce or our top recommendation 3StepDivorce.

Check out 3StepDivorce now >>

How Long Does LegalZoom Divorce Take?

If you’re looking to complete an uncontested divorce quickly and efficiently, LegalZoom could be the right option for you. Those looking to avoid lengthy legal proceedings might utilize this avenue instead of a long legal battle. However, please be aware that an experienced divorce lawyer should handle certain situations.

The length of time needed to complete divorce documents will vary from person to person. In theory, it could be completed in an hour or two if you have all the required documents and information. However, completing the forms online will take some more time as you save your progress and round up the correct information.

The amount of time for a judge to approve and sign a judgment can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months.

How Much Does LegalZoom Divorce Cost?

One great benefit to LegalZoom Divorce is its cost-effectiveness. If both parties are in agreement, which constitutes an uncontested divorce, the total cost will be about $500 to use Legal Zoom Divorce.

When a person hires a lawyer, they can expect to be charged for items and actions like phone calls, drafting documents, court preparation, research, and more. Business Insider reports that the average divorce costs around $15,000. Circumstances of the divorce will also affect the total cost.

Pro Tip: You still have to pay the court filing fees for your local jurisdiction, These filing fees will cost you an additional $100 to $400 depending on where you are filing for divorce.

Is LegalZoom Divorce Legitimate?

Anyone who is on the fence about using an online divorce service might question whether or not LegalZoom is legitimate. Millions of customers have successfully used LegalZoom for their legal needs and have done so to satisfaction, which means that the average person’s chances of success are quite good.

Conducting independent research and completing LegalZoom’s questionnaire accurately will help increase your chances of success.

LegalZoom Divorce Reviews Online

LegalZoom in general has received many positive reviews over its 14 years in operation. Users and customers often talk about the convenience and the high level of communication and customer service that LegalZoom provides.

However, their divorce operations are not well represented online, probably because the service is not their primary focus and more of an additional service they started to offer recently to capitalize on their brand name.

Pros and Cons of LegalZoom Divorce

As with any legal matter, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons before making a final decision. Taking a look at comparable services and online divorce sites will help steer you in the right direction. Below, we go over a few pros and cons that users experience with LegalZoom divorce. 

Pros

LegalZoom Divorce is one of the longest-standing online legal services. They aim to provide affordable legal plans as well as regular access to qualified attorneys and legal representatives. If a person is dissatisfied with LegalZoom for any reason, LegalZoom backs themselves up with a 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Cons

Customers who use LegalZoom can expect to do some of the legwork on their own. Those who consider getting a divorce online can expect to do certain things like gathering required information and filling out an online questionnaire to determine eligibility. The money a person saves by using LegalZoom Divorce is generally going to equate to some initial paperwork. It’s important to note that the divorce must be uncontested to use LegalZoom Divorce.

LegalZoom Divorce Competitors

In this section, we’ll take a look at three popular competitors to Legal Zoom Divorce.

3StepDivorce.com

This competitor is another document preparation website that specializes in helping their users fill out the legal forms they need to finalize their divorces.

3StepDivorce.com is highly regarded as the best online divorce option you can choose. Overall, you will find their website to be very easy to use, affordable and your divorce documents can be completed quickly.

Additionally, their customer service is best in class and you will have access to additional value-added services such as their “divorce negotiation platform” which is extremely helpful for divorcing spouses.

This is why they are our top pick of all the online divorce websites we reviewed.

We did a full review of 3-Step Divorce here.

CompleteCase.com

CompleteCase.com is another one of the better online divorce options you can choose, it is not the cheapest or the best overall in our rankings but still a solid choice. They boast that they have over 700,000 customers in the last 20+ years of being in business.

While they do have some mixed reviews online, these should be read and evaluated by you before making a final decision. We did a review of CompleteCase's service here for your convenience.

ItsOverEasy.com

ItsOverEasy.com is positioning itself as a premium online divorce service for those that want more hands-off options.

Because of the premium “white-glove” service they offer, they also have a premium price tag. Keep in mind, the cost is still far below what using a divorce attorney would cost. We reviewed ItsOverEasy.com's service here for you to check out.

Pro Tip: We did a full ranking and review of all the best online divorce services that are available today. If you are considering using this type of service for your uncontested divorce, please check out these reviews to make an informed decision before you make a purchase.

Check out our review of the top 10 now >>

LegalZoom Divorce Alternatives

If you’re looking for an alternative to LegalZoom divorce, hiring a lawyer might be the better option, especially if the divorce is contested. Hiring a paralegal is another alternative. Paralegals provide their services at a significantly lower hourly rate than an attorney.

Another alternative to LegalZoom Divorce is to go to your state’s court systems website and download and fill out the forms without the use of an online divorce service. However, this option can be cumbersome and you are on your own because they will not have customer service or provide any assistance.

We recommend you use 3StepDivorce instead, click here >>

LegalZoom Divorce FAQs

Of course, even after initial research, you might have a few lingering questions. Below, we go over some of the most frequently asked questions when utilizing LegalZoom Divorce.

  • How do I file my documents?
    LegalZoom helps its users prepare divorce papers that meet state-specific formatting and have various requirements as far as filing goes. Once you complete your questionnaire and all of the work that you need to do on your end, you will receive detailed instructions for you to file your documents on your own. To use the LegalZoom Divorce service, your divorce must be uncontested, which means that both pirates are ready and willing to sign.
  • How quickly will I get my forms?
    After you fill out your eligibility questionnaire, you will get your forms immediately afterward. With LegalZoom, users do not have to worry about any lengthy completion or delivery periods. Divorce documents can be personalized when it comes to the state resided in, children, income, assets, and many additional factors that might be involved with your case. All you have to do is follow the provided instructions, then print, sign, and file your documents with the court.
  • How long can I access my account?
    Once you set up your account, you will have access to LegalZoom’s site and the services. LegalZoom is one of the longest-standing online divorces services available, so access to their website and any associated account can be available in the long term. LegalZoom also offers prorated refunds if you need to cancel your membership. LegalZoom members can cancel memberships at any point through their MyAccount page. All you have to do is sign in, visit your My Account page, then simply click on the tab to select your plan (whether it’s business or personal). Lastly, click on the Manage My Account icon located in the upper left area of the page to finalize your cancellation.
  • Is LegalZoom Divorce websites secure?
    Considering that LegalZoom has been operating successfully for over a decade, one can assume that its website is secure. A Privacy Policy protects any communications that occur between LegalZoom and its customers. Please be aware that LegalZoom does not provide attorney-client privilege and is not considered a work product.
  • What if I don’t have answers to all the questions asked on the questionnaire?
    The questionnaire that LegalZoom provides aims to discover if you are a viable candidate for their services, so it’s best to honestly and in full answer all of the questions. At some point in the juncture, you will learn whether or not LegalZoom’s online divorce services fit your needs. You will also be able to save time by filling out all preliminary materials in full.
  • Do I have to answer all the questions?
    To navigate LegalZoom’s online questionnaire, you will have to fill out all required fields to the best of your knowledge. There may be some instances where you will have to give a more generalized answer to complete questions and forms. However, you will be allowed to provide more detailed information as the divorce process proceeds. Answering all of the questions to the best of your ability will help set you up for success. Remember, these are legal documents that will be filed in the divorce court system.
  • What if my spouse and I can’t agree on how to answer a question?
    To take advantage of LegalZoom, you and your spouse have to have an uncontested divorce, which means that both parties are in agreement, which represents just about the most amicable split a party can achieve. You and your spouse must be able to come to an agreement while you’re handling your divorce with LegalZoom, this way, you have the best possible chances of experiencing a quick and easy process.
  • How can I review my documents?
    Users can customize and download forms online to their needs with LegalZoom. You’ll have to answer a series of questions to create the correct legal document for your needs, which can be downloaded as a PDF and printed as needed. It is recommended that you save copies of your documentation and forms outside of the LegalZoom site, although your records are securely kept on your account page as well.
  • Can I get a refund?
    Anyone unsatisfied with LegalZoom for any reason can cancel their membership. If you have decided not to continue with LegalZoom within their 60-day guarantee period, you will receive a full refund. If you choose to cancel your membership in the middle of your agreement, you will receive a prorated refund.
  • How do I contact LegalZoom Divorce if I have questions?
    LegalZoom can also be contacted with any questions or concerns and are available during the business week and on weekends. You can call, message, or email, and they generally will get in touch with you within one to a few business days. Website: https://divorce.legalzoom.com/ Phone: 1-888-203-7652 Toll free Monday - Friday | 10am - 8pm EST

Final Thoughts

Even though you might be looking at an uncertain situation as you start your divorce proceedings, LegalZoom can undoubtedly help when it comes to getting rid of some of the anxiety and financial hardship that is so often associated with getting a divorce.

Suppose you and your spouse have an uncontested divorce on your hands. In that case, LegalZoom is a viable option that will help users save hundreds or even thousands of dollars that they’d typically spend on lawyers and reach an amicable conclusion.

Even though there is a little more work involved with self-filing, LegalZoom will provide users with plenty of the direction they need to get the job done successfully and in a timely fashion.

Of course, anything less than an uncontested divorce should generally be handled by an experienced divorce attorney. Make sure to assess your situation with a clear and well-informed mind.

However, there are much better options available for you to use that will provide a much better experience. As we stated previously, 3 Step Divorce is our #1 choice of all the online divorce platforms.