Frequently asked questions
General
For over 50 years, LegalShield has made it affordable and easy for its members to connect with its network of vetted, dedicated law firms across the United States and parts of Canada. Lawyers average 22 years of experience. Please note that LegalShield provides access to legal services offered by a network of provider law firms to its members.
Instead of paying a lawyer by the hour, you pay a small membership fee with LegalShield and have access to a dedicated provider law firm in your state for the legal services membership you select but without a huge bill. Prices and coverage vary depending on the membership services you select.
Yes. Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. began doing business as LegalShield on September 10, 2011. While the name we do business as has changed, we’re the same organization with over 50 years in business and offer an even more robust suite of services.
LegalShield is a pre-paid monthly subscription service that operates in a highly regulated industry monitored by the FTC. Our mission for more than 50 years has been to protect and empower people with the tools and services needed to affordably live a just and secure life.
While we have a variety of sales channels, we believe in helping our independent associates find empowerment as business owners. While there can be negative stigmas around MLM sales channels, we assure you that our products and services are real. Today, we continue to harness the power of technology to empower over 4.5 million individuals and 140,000 businesses across the United States and parts of Canada to take their future into their own hands through our tools, services, and partnerships.
Personal Plans from LegalShield cover most personal legal issues. Most day-to-day legal issues are covered by the standard member benefits with no additional fees. If your specific personal legal need is more unique and requires additional legal assistance beyond the standard benefits, your provider law firm can help you at a discount off their standard hourly rates. If you still have questions on coverage, call us at (833)-951-2754. LegalShield provider law firms do not assist with International Law, Military Law and Tribal Law.
Most pre-existing situations can receive consultation and a discount from the provider law firm’s standard hourly rate. There are exclusions and exceptions, but your provider law firm can provide advice and possibly more on most pre-existing situations. Current exclusions and exceptions include:
- Any civil action, motor vehicle tickets or charges relating to an event that happened before starting your membership.
- Any IRS inquiry, investigation, or notice received before the start of your membership.
With a LegalShield membership, you don’t have to. There’s no countless hours of researching. No stressing, no guessing. LegalShield takes the vetting and selection of law firms very seriously. You can be assured that all the dedicated provider law firms are experienced. They actually have an average of 22 years of experience!
Each state and some parts of Canada each have their own dedicated law firm. Members are to contact their dedicated provider law firm for membership services.
As a member you can contact your provider law firm right from the LegalShield mobile app or call them directly. A customer service representative will ask you what type of legal matter you have, verify your address and phone numbers, gather information about your legal matter, and forward your information to the assigned provider lawyer.
It depends on your legal matter/situation. When you contact your dedicated provider law firm and explain your legal situation, they will have a provider lawyer call you. Once you speak directly with the assigned lawyer, they will be able to determine what legal assistance is needed for your specific situation.
You may not work with the same lawyers if you have legal issues in totally different areas of law. However, you will work with the same provider law firm for your covered legal needs.
Memberships
We offer a variety of personal and business membership options. To find the membership that is right for you, please visit www.legalshield.com to sign up on your own. If you would like further assistance or want to ask specific questions, please contact us at (833)-951-2754 between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday and one of our team members would be happy to assist you.
We accept the following payment methods:
- Monthly bank draft
- Annual bank draft
- Monthly credit card
- Annual credit card
Due to the subscription nature of our business, we do not accept prepaid credit cards.
You can use your plan as soon as your membership application is reviewed and your account is set up — typically within 1-3 business days of purchase. Once your account is active, you can connect with your provider law firm typically within 8 business hours of submitting your request.
When you need legal help that does not fall under the standard benefits, you may be able to work with your provider law firm for a discount off their standard hourly rates. The total cost depends on factors such as the area of law, your geographic location and your lawyer’s hourly rate. What we can say for sure is that if you are a member and work with your provider law firm under the discounted rates, you could save as a LegalShield member over hiring a lawyer directly. Costs are subject to change depending on the legal matter and its circumstances.
Our Personal Plans are really family plans and cover:
- The member
- The member’s spouse
- Never-married dependent children of the member or member’s spouse who are under 26 and living at home (on select plans)
- Children under age 18 for whom the member or member’s spouse is the legal guardian
- Full-time never-married students under 26 years old if the student is a dependent of the member or member’s spouse (on select plans)
- Any dependent child, regardless of age, who is incapable of sustaining employment because of mental or physical disability and who is chiefly dependent on the member or member’s spouse for support.
Note: Certain benefits may be available for the member and/or the member’s spouse only. Be sure to check the specific contract in your state.
As a LegalShield Member, you get access to a variety of legal services, in general, including: advice on an unlimited number of personal issues, letters or calls made on your behalf, contract and document review (starting at up to 15 pages each) and more. Review a plan contract for complete terms, coverage, amounts, conditions, eligibility, and exclusions.
Yes, generally your membership covers Wills for you, your spouse and eligible family dependents (on select plans). Please check your specific membership for exact terms and conditions.
A Trust can be established under the preferred member discount if offered by your provider law firm.
Representation for an uncontested divorce, separation or annulment is included in your standard plan benefits if you meet the requirements (see a plan). Your provider law firm will manage the process for you.
For a contested divorce, you can call your provider law firm for legal advice, if you want your provider law firm to handle the negotiation of a settlement agreement or represent you at trial, you may hire the provider law firm and take advantage of your plan’s discount from the provider law firm’s standard hourly rate benefit.
Yes, your membership covers tax audits.
A LegalShield membership provides consultation and a discount on other legal services related to immigration issues. Please contact your provider law firm to discuss your benefits and options.
Yes, a LegalShield membership provides assistance with speeding tickets.
Yes. Like most legal issues, you can always call the provider law firm for advice about child custody. You can also have child custody-related documents reviewed and could have a phone call made and a letter written on your behalf.
If you need more robust representation, you can retain a provider lawyer to handle child custody negotiations or court cases for a discount off their standard hourly fees. No matter the circumstances, a LegalShield membership can save you money on legal services to help you with child custody issues.
All LegalShield memberships include benefits that allow your lawyer to represent you in court at substantial savings over hiring a lawyer directly. If you have a more complex situation, you can retain a provider lawyer to represent you in court at a discount off their standard hourly fees. To utilize this benefit the provider lawyer must be retained.
For specific information on which plan benefits apply to your circumstances, we encourage you to review our coverage detail pages or contact customer support at (833)-951-2754 for an answer.
One way or the other, LegalShield plans cover most legal situations. You can call your provider law firm for advice on any legal issue, including criminal cases. Also, your lawyer can review documents and provide feedback related to criminal cases for no additional fee.
Should you need a lawyer to represent you in criminal court, you can retain a provider lawyer for a discount off their standard hourly rates.
If you’ve been arrested or otherwise have concerns about a criminal case, we strongly suggest becoming a member today. You can be on the phone with a provider lawyer to get the advice you need to reduce stress and figure out the next best steps to protect your rights and freedom. Please note that memberships cannot be activated if the member is incarcerated.
Account
Our dedicated LegalShield Member Services Team is ready to help. Please get in touch with them at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app, where assistance from our Member Services Team and your Provider Law Firm is just a tap of the app away. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.
You can find your membership number in your welcome email after signing up for the services or by speaking with one of our agents on the phone. You can also find it after logging into your account via accounts.legalshield.com or the LegalShield mobile app.
If you need assistance locating it, contact our LegalShield Member Services at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday or via our LegalShield app.
Yes. LegalShield and IDShield are two separate memberships. You will have a unique membership number for both.
After you have signed up for a LegalShield legal plan, you will receive a welcome email. It will contain the instructions to log in to accounts.legalshield.com and download the LegalShield mobile app. Or you can call your provider law firm’s 800 number to open an intake for your legal matter.
You can update your billing info by contacting Member Services at 1 (800) 654-7757 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, or online at accounts.legalshield.com. Just log in, go to Account Settings, and select the plan you’d like to update. Then scroll down to Member Payment Information and select Edit.
Access after-hours legal consultation for covered legal emergencies such as an arrest or detainment, if you’re seriously injured in an automobile accident, or if you’re served with a warrant. Just call 1 (877) 825-3797 to speak to a representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also log in to the LegalShield mobile app and select Emergency Legal Access to make your call.
No. While we’ve spent a lot of time making the app a seamless user experience, you don’t have to use it to access your benefits. After you purchase a plan, you’ll get an email that will include a toll-free number you can call to take advantage of your member benefits, you can call the customer care number at the top of our website or log into your online portal.
The membership fee is significantly less than paying the standard hourly rate at a traditional law firm. Also, instead of ignoring a situation where you’ve been wronged, you can affordably and easily consult a lawyer.
LegalShield is a pre-paid monthly subscription service, and our members have the right to cancel at any time. Per our company policy, all cancellation requests must be provided in writing. The easiest way to cancel is by emailing us at [email protected] with your name, membership number, phone number, and your request to cancel the membership.
For annual memberships, you may cancel any time after your first 12 months. If you would like to speak to someone about options to maintain your membership, please call as soon as possible to keep any pre-trial hours or other benefits you may have accumulated at (844)-714-8494 between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, and a member of our team would be happy to help.
You may request reinstatement anytime by contacting your LegalShield Associate or Member Services at 1 (800) 654-7757. Member Services is available from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CST Monday-Friday.
To submit a complaint, please submit our Attorney Service Concern Form at https://legalshield.typeform.com/to/pSnMnF, and a team member will reach out to you directly. We look forward to assisting you.
When a referral is needed for legal representation, we require the member’s provider law firm to initiate that process on the member’s behalf. Depending on the legal matter at hand, the referral process typically takes 3-5 business days but can occasionally take longer than expected. The referral lawyer will reach out to you directly.
Support
Our dedicated LegalShield Member Services Team is ready to help. Please get in touch with them at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.
Please ensure that the OS on your device and your LegalShield app is updated to the latest version. For further assistance, please contact Member Services at (800)-654-7757 or via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
If you have already requested to reset your password but didn’t receive an email, please ensure that you have not previously unsubscribed from our emails, as this prevents password reset emails from being received. If you need further assistance, please contact Member Services at (800)-654-7757 or via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
The user may have multiple profiles that need to be linked by our Member Service Team. Please get in touch with them for further assistance at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
The user may have multiple profiles that need to be linked by our Member Service Team. Please get in touch with them for further assistance at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
To resolve the issue, please go to the platform that you cannot log in and:
- Clear your cache/cookies/history
- Close all browser windows, etc.
- Mobile users—manually enter your credentials. Don’t use auto fillers if you are having issues logging in
If you need further assistance, please contact Member Services at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
To resolve the issue, please:
- Ensure that the OS on your device is updated to the latest version
- Ensure that your LegalShield app is updated to the latest version
- Ensure that you have a good data connection or Wi-Fi connection
- If this feature crashes on a specific step, such as uploading documents to your intake, please note: There is a size limitation of 20MB for uploading supporting documents. For larger documents, please work with your provider directly to submit those after you start your intake.
If you are still having issues after completing the following steps, please submit a Technical Support Request at https://legalshield.typeform.com/to/NrIR48, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
Yes, there is a size limitation of 20MB for uploading supporting documents. For larger documents, please work with your provider directly to submit those after you start your intake.
The invited users may have multiple profiles that need to be linked by our Member Service Team. Please get in touch with them for further assistance at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
You can start by trying your Membership Number. If that doesn’t work, the invited users may have multiple profiles that need to be linked by our Member Service Team. Please get in touch with them for further assistance at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
If you have moved out of state and need to update your address, please get in touch with Member Services for further assistance at (800)-654-7757, via chat at www.legalshield.com between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday, or via our LegalShield app, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Associates
Our mission for more than 50 years has been to protect and empower people with the tools and services needed to affordably live a just and secure life. Independent associates’ market and sell memberships. They understand and are passionate about our products and services. They share them with others, help them set up their memberships, and accompany them on their journey to legal representation and security—all while creating a business to earn extra income. This business model is not for everyone. Growing your business takes hard work. Success is never easy.
To locate a LegalShield Independent Associate near you, please visit wearelegalshield.com.
Thanks for considering LegalShield. Our dedicated team is available to answer all your questions about becoming a LegalShield Independent Associate. You can reach our Associate Services Team at (580)-436-7424 from 7-7 CST Monday – Friday, and a member of our team can provide all those details for you or visit legalshieldassociate.com.
Thank you for your interest in the LegalShield Opportunity. Our start-up cost is $99. To learn more about joining the team, please visit legalshieldassociate.com. Or if you have specific questions, you can contact our Associate Services Team at (580)-436-7424 between 7-7 CST Monday-Friday and a dedicated team member would be happy to provide further details.
To submit a complaint, please submit our Associate Concern Form at legalshield.typeform.com/to/TQ3Yos, and a member of our team will reach out to you. We look forward to assisting you.
IDShield®
IDShield helps protect you so identity thieves can’t catch you off guard. We alert you about signs that your personal information may be misused, and monitor your credit. We scan the dark web, credit bureaus, and public records for activity tied to your name, SSN, or financial accounts. If something looks off, you hear about it right away.
If the worst happens and your identity is stolen, IDShield provides licensed private investigators to help you clean it up and restore your identity.
Identity theft
It's a common crime where a thief steals your personal info like your name, Social Security number (SSN), address, or credit card details, and uses it without your permission. They often commit fraud, access your bank accounts, take out loans in your name, or get medical services without you knowing about it until the damage is already done.
Charges you don’t recognize, debt collectors calling about accounts you didn’t open, new credit lines you didn’t apply for, and a credit score drop are all signs of potential identity theft.
Thieves can steal your physical items like mail / wallet, and digitally through online data breaches and "phishing" (deceptive emails / texts / calls designed to steal passwords, credit card numbers etc.).
IDShield catches problems early before a small breach turns into a financial mess and administrative nightmare. If someone tries to open credit in your name, IDShield alerts you so you can take the necessary steps to help prevent further misuse of your personal info.
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that regular search engines can’t find. It’s often where stolen personal info gets sold. If you get an IDShield alert that your personal info has been found here, you should act before someone else does.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection so no one can see what you’re doing online, which is important when you’re on public Wi-Fi, like at a coffee shop or the airport, where your data could be exposed. All IDShield plans include a VPN.
Credit monitoring
It doesn't automatically prove identity theft as some credit reports have mistakes, but take it seriously and follow up right away. Call the creditor and ask if the account was opened using your SSN.
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each bureau keeps its own version of your credit report, so we recommend that you track all three. The IDShield 3 bureau plan monitors Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, while our 1 bureau plan monitors Experian.
A fraud alert (a statement on your credit report indicating that you're vulnerable to becoming a victim, or have been a victim, of identity theft) helps but isn’t a complete solution. It makes it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name, but thieves have other options. They can file a fake tax return, drain your bank account, or rack up medical bills. Those happen outside the credit system, which is why monitoring your full financial picture matters, not just your credit report.
Monitoring helps you protect your credit score and can improve it over time. When you see exactly what’s on your report, you can catch errors, spot fraud early, and understand what’s driving your score up or down.
PrivacyCheck / ScamCheck
A data broker is a company that collects and sells your personal info, usually without you knowing. They pull data from public records, loyalty programs, social media, and purchase histories, then sell your profile to marketers, insurers, employers, and others. When that data gets into the wrong hands, it’s a direct path to scams, spam, and identity theft.
The Privacy Check feature handles it for you. It scans hundreds of databases, submits removal requests on your behalf, and keeps watching them. If your data reappears, it gets removed again.
The ScamCheck feature helps to catch scams before you fall for them. It looks at suspicious messages, links, and screenshots and tells you whether they’re threats. It’s trained to spot the warning signs and fraud patterns that humans miss, and it automatically blocks suspicious phone numbers and text messages.
SSN
Finding your SSN on the dark web doesn’t necessarily mean your identity has been stolen, but you should act quickly and take it seriously. First, change your usernames and passwords for any accounts that could be affected. Then consider putting a credit freeze with all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to help prevent anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name. Keep an eye on your bank accounts and watch for anything that doesn’t look right. And call IDShield - we’ll connect you with an identity theft specialist to help you figure it out. If your identity has been stolen, we’ll assign you a licensed private investigator and open a restoration case.
Start with your credit report. Look for accounts you don’t recognize, hard inquiries you didn’t authorize (those show up when someone applies for credit in your name), or addresses you’ve never lived at. Those are the clearest signs someone is using your SSN. Also, watch your bank statements for suspicious charges. If anything looks off, freeze your credit on all three credit bureaus and reach out to IDShield. We’ll help you figure out next steps.
Your SSN is the piece of information that ties your financial identity together. With it, or with it plus a few other details, someone can open credit cards, take out loans, file a fake tax return to steal your refund, or claim unemployment benefits in your name. The damage can spread fast and take years to undo.
Social Media Monitoring / Reputation Management
It scans your social media looking for old posts and photos you've posted or been tagged in that may damage your reputation.
We also search for social media account posts with nudity, violence, drugs, alcohol or weapons, and text content that contains swearing, toxic comments, or negative sentiment.
People look you up. A hiring manager, a potential business partner, a first date. Whatever you posted years ago is still out there and still searchable. Most people have no idea what their social media history looks like to a stranger. The IDShield Reputation Management shows you exactly that, so you can clean up anything that doesn't represent who you are today before someone else finds it first.
Cancellation
You can cancel your membership in writing at any time. If you have questions, call or email Member Services at 800-654-7757 / [email protected].