Limitations with Legal Software Products

As I previously blogged, Google recently contributed $18.5 million into Rocket Lawyer, but consumers should be wary of using legal software products. Consumer Reports Money Adviser recently analyzed the three top-selling legal software products (LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker Plus), and found limitations and problems with all three products.

Some of the problems cited in the analysis include incompleteness, outdated information, and too much or too little flexibility. According to Consumer Reports’ expert, though legal software is beneficial in getting consumers to think about their estate planning wishes, it is best for consumers to consult an attorney when it comes to actually creating the estate plan.

See Tobie Stanger, Google likes legal software, but consumers need beware, Consumer Reports, Aug. 31, 2011.