Amazon Prime now allows users to order household items like toilet paper and laundry soap online for free delivery within hours. More than one in every three new marriages in 2015 began online. You can now simultaneously order a pizza for delivery and a taxi using nothing but the power of the World Wide Web. It’s no surprise that among the many tasks that a person can now complete online at home, without ever changing out of their pajamas, the ability to access and utilize legal services is becoming common place.
More than half of lawyers who run independent law firms and four out of five partnership law firms have user-friendly websites that allow potential clients to scope them out before ever contacting them. In fact, 44 percent of people seeking legal services start online. To put that in perspective, only 40 percent of single adults actively use any online dating websites. In other words, more people are looking for a lawyer online than they are a lover. A few reasons shopping for a lawyer online is becoming so popular include:
- It’s Faster and Easier
Maybe you own a business and need easy access to a legal team for a variety of businesses purposes. Or maybe you’re a normal Joe Shmo who needs basic legal services, such as creating a will or establishing power of attorney for an aging parent. Either way, your time is valuable. Reviewing and hiring the appropriate lawyer for each of your legal needs can be time consuming and costly. On the other hand, having access to all of the legal services in your area at the click of a button makes the process easier than brushing your teeth.
- Availability of Information
Never before has it been so easy to get feedback from past and current clients on their satisfaction level with a lawyer before making a hiring decision. When it comes to researching lawyers online, you can find answers to any of your questions, such as the types of cases a law firm specializes in, their rates, payment policies, and any other information that can help you make a smart hiring choice.What’s more, many legal websites have an interactive interface. Users can post legal questions that are reviewed and answered by a legal expert. Surveys show that nearly half of online users find this a helpful tool when handling legal issues. Getting legal help through a law firm’s website is a great way to tell if they’re a good fit for you.
- A Centralized Location
We’ve grown accustomed to doing our banking entirely online. Many doctor’s offices offer an online portal that holds our medical records, billing information, and schedule of appointments. Loyal Starbucks customers can access their spending history and loyalty points through their personalized account. It is no wonder that this concept is becoming expected of legal providers as well.Many legal services who have a robust website offer their clients an online portal that centralizes all of their information. Through this, clients can access their case documents, talk to legal professionals, and pay their legal fees with the tap of a button. It has never been so easy to manage your legal issues.
- You Might Spend Less
Depending on the nature of your legal issue, you might expect to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars in legal fees. However the new online-based system of getting legal help often involves less billable time from a lawyer, and often lower total legal expenses in the end. In fact, some legal services let you pay a small monthly fee for access to online legal help as you need it, rather than charging you every time you step foot in a law office.
What do you think? Have you ever looked for a lawyer or sought legal help online instead of in person? We would love to hear about your experience in the comment section below.