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Best Lawyer Matching Service

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, LegalMatch is an innovative web-based lawyer matching service that lets clients search through an extensive database of member lawyers. LegalMatch was founded in 1999, and the company bases its business model on soliciting paid memberships from lawyers seeking new clients. 

LegalMatch is free for consumers to use, and the company has member lawyers located throughout the United States. It’s important for seniors to know that LegalMatch does not provide legal services directly to clients. 

Pros and Cons of LegalMatch

Like all online services, there are a number of pros and cons that come with using LegalMatch. 

Pros:

  • The service is free to use from anywhere in the United States
  • LegalMatch verifies all lawyers registered with the platform to be in good standing with their respective state bar association
  • LegalMatch is a Better Business Bureau-accredited business with an A- rating

Cons: 

  • The matches LegalMatch provides aren’t always a good fit
  • A number of LegalMatch clients and member attorneys have filed complaints against the company

Overview of Do Your Own Will

LegalMatch is a lawyer referral service that helps lawyers find new clients. Lawyers who want LegalMatch to list them pay an annual membership fee in exchange for leads from potential clients. 

Consumers can use LegalMatch to find a lawyer who specializes in a particular legal issue or type of law. To search for a lawyer on LegalMatch, consumers present their case by submitting a brief summary of their needs. The platform shares this information with paid LegalMatch lawyer members, and lawyers interested in taking on the client can contact them through the LegalMatch platform. 

  Estate Planning Documents Access to an Attorney Software or Online Service Pricing Options
LegalMatch No documents provided on-site; connects you with an attorney who can create any documents you need Matches users with compatible local attorneys Online service Free to use, attorney fees vary on a case-by-case basis

How Much Does LegalMatch Charge for Elder Law Services?

Attorney membership fees for site listings fund Legal Match. All LegalMatch services are free. Seniors and their family members can submit a LegalMatch request, which includes an outline of what they’re looking for in an elder law attorney, at no cost. 

Seniors should be aware that the attorneys listed on LegalMatch set their own hourly rates and fees, and these fees are not always clearly listed on the LegalMatch website. Before hiring any lawyer, seniors should know the costs involved.

Eligibility, Plan Details and Other Information

Unlike other online legal services, LegalMatch doesn’t offer plans. It is free for any U.S. adult to use the LegalMatch platform to search for a lawyer. 

Consumers can expect to take about 20 minutes to set up a profile on LegalMatch and submit their case details. In general, users will receive one or more matches within a few days, but the response time varies widely depending on location. 

LegalMatch does not release any contact information, including consumer identity, to member lawyers. It’s up to the client to decide if they’d like to connect with a lawyer who responded to their case. 

Clients who hire a lawyer through LegalMatch can also rate their experiences. Other consumers can use this information to decide which lawyer they’d like to use. 

Who Should Consider LegalMatch?

Seniors Who Have Specific Criteria Regarding Their Elder Law Attorney

Through LegalMatch, users can narrow their attorney search based on their location, area of expertise and ability to resolve specific legal issues. This can be a time-saver for seniors who don’t want to spend time phoning multiple law offices looking for an elder law attorney. 

Seniors Who Are Looking for a Local Elder Law Specialist

Elder law is a relatively new legal specialty, which can make finding a local elder law specialist a challenge, especially for seniors living in smaller cities, towns and rural areas. With LegalMatch, users may be able to find an elder law specialist who is willing to travel or who can offer services over video chat. 

What Are People Saying About LegalMatch?

Reviews of LegalMatch are mixed, with some users saying that the service helped them save time and money, while others were very disappointed in their experience with the company. 

One satisfied LegalMatch client wrote about a complex legal situation involving an estate with multiple beneficiaries. This reviewer said that although LegalMatch recommended an out-of-state attorney, that attorney answered the reviewer’s questions for free and provided accurate advice. 

Others reported that the attorneys LegalMatch referred to lacked skills and experience. Several reviewers mentioned that their attorneys charged exceptionally high consultation fees for their initial appointment, which they didn’t disclose in advance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Power of Attorney?

Power of attorney, often referred to as a POA, is a legal document that assigns certain legal powers to another individual under specific conditions. The POA may include the authority to make decisions about the grantor’s property, health care or finances should the grantor become incapacitated. POAs are rendered null and void upon the death of the grantor. 

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What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Living Trust?

A will is a document that outlines how an individual wants their assets distributed upon their death, while a living trust details the transfer of assets to beneficiaries while the grantor is alive. In general, a living trust reduces the tax burden associated with an inheritance.

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Can an Elder Law Attorney Help With Wills?

Yes. Elder law attorneys focus on legal issues impacting older adults, including long-term care and estate planning. One of the fundamental services all elder law attorneys offer is drafting and executing wills. 

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Can an Elder Law Attorney Help With Trusts?

Yes. Elder law attorneys can help seniors set up one or more trusts, including trusts that comply with Medicaid look-back and spend-down rules. Seniors can also use trusts to reduce estate taxes, prevent family conflicts and provide support to a dependent spouse or adult child. 

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What Is the Difference Between an Elder Law Attorney and an Estate Attorney? 

While some services offered by these two types of attorneys overlap, in general, an elder law attorney focuses on helping seniors prepare for their retirement. By comparison, estate attorneys work to ensure that the wishes outlined in an individual’s will and trusts are executed following the grantor’s death. 

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