Best Online Resource Library
LawDepot was voted the best online resource library because of the ease of use and low cost of the documents. Users can sign up for a 1-week free trial by entering their name, address and credit card information. Once the trial period is over, subscribers can purchase customizable legal documents on a pay-per-document, monthly or annual subscription plan.
Unlike some other digital elder law services, with LawDepot there’s no software to download — all the documents are edited and stored on secure cloud-based servers. Seniors can access their account from virtually any device that connects to the internet, including a tablet, smartphone or laptop computer.
Pros and Cons of LawDepot
LawDepot gives tech-savvy seniors a low-cost option for drafting their estate planning documents, such as wills, powers of attorney (POA), health care directives and letters to their survivors. As with all elder law services, there are some pros and cons that come with using LawDepot:
Pros:
- Users may be able to complete all their legal documents for free during the 7-day trial period.
- All documents and services are cloud-based, so there’s no need to download software.
- Lawyers develop and regularly update all of LawDepot’s products.
- LawDepot offers over 150 legal documents accepted nationwide, including wills, health care directives and small business agreements.
Cons:
- LawDepot may be inaccessible to seniors who struggle with online content and digital devices.
- LawDepot is largely a self-serve option, so it might not be the right choice for users who need assistance with their will or other personal legal matters.
- Users must input their credit card information when setting up an account.
- Users are automatically subscribed to a monthly plan if they fail to cancel their account before the end of the 7-day trial period.
Overview of LawDepot
Launched in 2001 by a practicing attorney, LawDepot is an online legal document provider that offers more than 150 customizable legal documents for individuals and small businesses. All LawDepot templates are carefully reviewed by practicing lawyers, and the company is fully accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintains an A+ rating.
| |
Estate Planning Documents |
Access to an Attorney |
Software or Online Service |
Pricing Options |
| Law Depot |
Last will, power of attorney, estate planning, medical records release, revocation of a trust, end of life plans, pour-over wills, and gift deeds |
Not available |
Online service |
-1 week free trial -$33 monthly subscription -$95.88 annual subscription -Individual documents start at $7.50 |
How Much Does LawDepot Charge for Elder Law Services?
All new users qualify for a free 7-day trial period. Once that trial period ends, users are automatically charged for a subscription plan that costs $35 per month. This plan includes unlimited access to all the documents on the LawDepot website.
Alternatively, users can access LawDepot documents on a pay-per-use basis, ranging from $7.50 to $119. The company also offers a One Year Pro plan that costs $107.88 and includes unlimited access to all documents on the website.
Eligibility, Plan Details and Other Information
As a web-based legal services company, LawDepot is available to adults in the United States, as well as several other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. The company is based in Los Angeles, and all LawDepot services are designed to be self-serve. LawDepot is not a law firm, and its employees don’t provide any legal advice.
LawDepot Legal Documents
LawDepot offers over 150 legal document templates approved for use nationwide. These documents cover common legal issues, such as estate planning, real estate transactions, loans and sales agreements and family law.
To sign up for an account, seniors need to provide their email address and a valid credit card number. Each new account comes with a 7-day free trial period, during which time users can create, print and download all documents on the platform.
LawDepot Monthly Subscription Plan
Once the trial period ends, users are automatically enrolled in a monthly plan that costs $35, unless they cancel their account before the end of the free trial. This $35 fee is charged to the credit card associated with the account, and the subscription can be canceled at any time.
With this plan, seniors can create, revise and print as many documents as they’d like. All the documents they draft are saved on LawDepot’s secure cloud servers.
LawDepot One Year Pro Plan
LawDepot’s One Year Pro plan includes the same services as the monthly subscription at a much lower monthly cost. The Pro plan is priced at $107.88, which works out to $8.99 per month.
LawDepot Per-Document Plan
Seniors who want to create a single legal document, such as a will or health care directive, can purchase individual LawDepot documents. Rates range from $7.50 to $119, and the length of time each document is accessible varies, depending on the product.
Who Should Consider LawDepot?
Seniors Who Want to Complete Their Own Legal Documents
LawDepot gives subscribers access to over 150 pre-formatted legal documents that can be customized through its website. This makes LawDepot a good option for seniors who want to fill out their own will, health care directive and other essential documents without needing to hire an attorney.
Tech-Savvy Seniors
All LawDepot’s documents are cloud-based, which means users can access the company’s services from virtually any internet-connected device. Tech-savvy seniors who enjoy the freedom and independence that comes with managing their affairs without assistance may appreciate how easy and affordable it is to use LawDepot documents.
Seniors Who Need a Basic, Low-Cost Way to Create a Will
Some seniors put off drafting a will simply because they can’t afford to hire a lawyer. LawDepot offers a 7-day free trial period, and during that time users can draft and print off their will for notarization, a service that’s available at no cost through many senior service agencies.
What Are People Saying About LawDepot?
In general, LawDepot is well-rated by real-world users. On one review website, LawDepot has an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 based on input from over 5,000 verified LawDepot clients. On another popular online review site, LawDepot has an average rating of 3.69 stars out of 5, based on 513 reviews.
Of those who gave LawDepot a favorable review, many mentioned they could complete the legal forms they needed at a fraction of what they’d pay at a local law office. One reviewer said that LawDepot’s questions and options were well thought out, and it was easy to customize the documents. A senior who created a revocable living trust also said the process was quick and easy, and each step included an in-depth explanation.
Most complaints about LawDepot stemmed from issues with the subscription. Some reviewers disliked that they were automatically enrolled in a monthly plan once the 7-day free trial period ended. Others said it was nearly impossible to cancel their subscription and that the customer service department was rude and unhelpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Elder Law?
Elder law is a branch of law that covers legal issues that largely impact seniors. These issues include access to Medicaid, Social Security and long-term care insurance; conservatorships and guardianships; estate planning; wills and medical directives.
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What Is the Difference Between an Elder Law Attorney and an Estate Attorney?
Elder law attorneys work with seniors to make legal arrangements in accordance with their wishes should they require long-term care, become incapacitated or require support through public benefit programs, such as Medicaid. Lawyers who specialize in elder care also help to prevent abuse and exploitation of seniors. Estate attorneys ensure the final wishes of an individual are honored after they pass away by overseeing disbursements of their assets.
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Can An Elder Law Attorney Help With Wills?
Yes. Elder law attorneys are experienced in the drafting and notarization of wills, regardless of how large or small an individual’s estate is.
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What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Living Trust?
A will indicates how the grantor would like their assets, including their home, investments and any cash they owned, dispersed upon their death. In general, a will must be filed with a probate court, and this legal document can be viewed by anyone, regardless of their relationship to the individual who passed on. By comparison, a living trust is a legally binding document that outlines how a person wants some, or all, of their assets dispersed before they die. Unlike a will, a living trust remains confidential because it doesn’t need to be filed with a court.
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What Is Power of Attorney?
Power of attorney (POA) grants one or more people the power to act on behalf of the grantor. This legal document can cover a range of issues, including health and property, and the grantor can indicate what conditions must exist for their POA to be activated.
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