Legal Picks

Don’t Let These Legal Mistakes Come Back to Haunt You

LegalShield Editorial Team
,
November 20, 2018
•
3 min read
Flirting co-workers in an office
Get the legal advice you need without the hourly legal fees
Explore Plans

Here’s how your LegalShield membership can help

We all make mistakes. Unfortunately, avoidable legal mistakes can be costly and difficult to resolve, if they can be resolved at all. The key is understanding these common mistakes so they can be avoided.‍

‍Your LegalShield provider law firm is ready to help.

  • Forgetting to make a Will. Without a Will, you could leave your survivors with a costly legal mess to clean up. Surveys show three main reasons why people don’t yet have their Will: procrastination, the belief that they don't need one, and cost. Your LegalShield Family Plan solves all three of these problems. The process starts with completing the LegalShield Will questionnaire, which is available via the LegalShield app (download for Apple or Android devices). You may also obtain a will questionnaire by calling LegalShield or your provider law firm. Your provider law firm information can be located on your LegalShield mobile app or through the “Ask Erin” feature on legalshield.com.  The questionnaire asks for information about your situation and desires. Once your questionnaire is received your provider lawyer will draft your Will.
  • Signing a contract without a lawyer review. Lawyers cannot change the past; NEVER sign a contract, lease or other agreement before you call your LegalShield attorney for review and advice. Contracts and other agreements are sometimes written to intentionally obscure the true meaning. Your LegalShield attorney can help you make sense of a contract, lease or other agreement to ensure you fully understand your obligations.
  • Missing a statute of limitation deadline. Statutes of limitation are laws requiring an injured or aggrieved party to file a lawsuit within a certain time frame or forever lose the right to sue. The length of time to sue varies based upon the claim, type of injury, potential defendant and other factors. Nearly all claims are subject to statutes of limitation and some may be less than a year. The first step is to call your LegalShield provider law firm. You will need to speak with an attorney and provide necessary information to determine the statutes of limitation that apply to your case. After the appropriate statutes are determined, if you decide to proceed with a claim, an attorney may need several months to prepare the case for filing. It is essential to act quickly to protect your legal rights. If you have any questions about a legal matter, call your LegalShield provider law firm today.
  • Paying for a quick fix debt or credit relief plan. Many families feel overwhelmed by consumer debt. Companies that promise to help lower monthly payments and quickly pay off debt may sound like an appealing way out. Unfortunately, debt consolidation offers and credit repair plans are often too good to be true. There may be built-in fees. If you have a poor credit rating, your consolidated debt may end up with a higher interest rate than you are already paying. Also, debt consolidators have been known to miss or make late payments. When monthly payments are not in your hands, you run the risk of the third party missing the payment or paying it late, which will negatively affect your credit and could result in additional fees. Call your LegalShield provider law firm for a review of any debt relief or credit repair plan and to learn what other options may be available.

Get the Answers You Need,
When You Need Them

Shop Plans
Author
LegalShield Editorial Team

Written and maintained by the LegalShield content team, covering legal and identity protection topics for individuals, families, and small businesses.

Share this article
​
Label
​
Label
​
Label
​
Label

Related articles

​
Back to Learning Center
A man and a woman reviewing an agreement
Legal Picks
13 min read
What Is an Uncontested Divorce? Key Details for Couples

If you’re both focused on moving forward, and you don’t have disagreements about how your lives should be separated, an uncontested divorce could be the right choice. Learn more about how it works.

•
13 min read
Person avatar icon.
Author Name
,
Author Title
September 29, 2026
A man working with tools in a shop.
Legal Picks
10 min read
What Is a Patent, and When Do I Need One?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grants patents, which allow you to protect inventions by revealing their details. Patents are complex, so it’s a good idea to get legal advice about how to protect your business assets.

•
10 min read
Person avatar icon.
Author Name
,
Author Title
September 29, 2026
A man reviews documents.
Legal Picks
12 min read
Trademark vs. Copyright vs. Patent: Protecting Your Business Intellectual Property

Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are legal tools that can help businesses safeguard their intellectual property (IP). Read more about the different ways businesses protect IP, the similarities between them, and what can happen when violations occur.

•
12 min read
Person avatar icon.
Author Name
,
Author Title
September 29, 2026
Family reviewing estate planning paperwork together at home
Legal Picks
8 min read
Dying Without a Will: What Happens to Your Assets?

It’s usually much easier for families to settle an estate with a Will than without one. The term for dying without a Will is intestate. When this happens, state laws determine the distribution of an estate, not the person who has passed or the people they care about. If you’re trying to settle an intestate estate, consider seeking legal guidance.

‍

•
8 min read
Person avatar icon.
Author Name
,
Author Title
September 22, 2026
A woman putting up a reward poster for a missing dog
Legal Picks
3 min read
What Is a Unilateral Contract? When They’re Used and Why

Unilateral is a common descriptor for contracts that means “one-sided.” Rest assured that in most situations, a lawyer can worry about contract interpretations for you, but read on to find out more.

•
3 min read
Person avatar icon.
Author Name
,
Author Title
September 16, 2026
A couple sitting together and laughing.
Legal Picks
7 min read
What Is a Beneficiary Deed, and Should You Use One?

A Beneficiary Deed is a legal document where you name someone to get your real estate after you die. In many states, it’s also called a Transfer-on-Death Deed (TODD). This type of deed can help property pass to a named beneficiary without the hassle of probate.

‍

•
7 min read
Person avatar icon.
Author Name
,
Author Title
September 14, 2026
*See your plan contract for details. Additional fees, limitations, and waiting periods may apply.