Lauren Peretich • February 24, 2022

Don't fall into the trap of the "DIY" websites...

By now, most people have heard of the online self-help legal services companies that pride themselves on their low pricing. While the low costs may seem enticing at first, the hidden fees, recurring payments, and inaccuracies in their documents are not so appealing. The minimal upfront costs may seem like using one of these services is a smart business and financial decision, but it will more than likely end up costing you a lot more time and money in the long run. 


In a lot of these companies’ terms of use, they make it a point to repeatedly state that they are not a law firm nor are they a replacement for an attorney. They have various disclaimers stating that the information provided is “not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.” Essentially, their customers are paying hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dollars for legal services, which may or may not be complete or correct. Could you imagine going to a business attorney and her telling you that she will draft documents for your business, but those documents may not be correct, complete, or up to date? Of course not! Nobody would hire that attorney, but since most people do not know about these companies’ disclaimers and terms, people continue to use their services.


When you hire an attorney, you are not just paying her for your documents. You are paying for that lawyer’s value and warranty that the work she does for you is complete and correct.  If you purchase a boilerplate form document from a self-help legal services company or find one off the internet, however, there is no one to accept the responsibility for the errors, except yourself. If the document is at all incorrect in any way, you have absolutely no recourse for those mistakes. In more extreme cases, your local government can shut your business down for not adhering to the correct requirements.  


Moreover, these disclaimers remove any right you may otherwise have to sue these companies for poorly drafted or incomplete documents.

Some people attempt to alleviate their concerns regarding these companies by planning to hire an attorney if they run into any trouble with the documents in the future. In theory, that might work out, but unfortunately changing your business’s documentation once you have already started can be harder than it sounds. Anyone who is well positioned with your original documents can push back on you making changes that would be unfavorable to them.  For example, if an investor invested in your original company and the company’s documents gave her voting rights and the ability to seize your personal assets to repay her investment then it is unlikely that the investor would allow you to change your entity’s documents without at least some opposition. In this example, the original documents may allow the investor to, at any time, for any reason, seize your house, car, or other personal assets and sell them at a public auction to recoup her original investment. Additionally, any changes that you make to your original documents can severely change the incentive arrangements involved, the powers of partners or shareholders, dividend disbursement processes, and more.  These details are important to consider because people may simply hold out and refuse to sign the new documents when it is not in their best interest, even if it would help the company.


Your company is unique, and this means that your company, from a legal perspective, will have its own unique legal needs. Self-help legal services companies give you the same documents as all of their other customers, no matter what industry the companies are in, the number of employees they have, or recent changes in state laws. One of the reasons that documents from these companies have so many inaccuracies is because their documents are not tailored to meet the customer’s specific needs; the documents are as broad and as general as possible so that they can try to obtain more customers. They are focused on quantity, not quality.


The law is constantly changing.   Every year, hundreds of new statutes passed by state governments and Congress and there are also changes in case law from judge’s decisions.  All of these laws and changes can affect your business. Congress even passes new laws that subsidize startup businesses in an effort to boost the economy, but in order to take advantage of these opportunities, your documents must meet certain requirements and specifications. Downloading a boilerplate document, even from paid legal services websites, leaves those opportunities on the table. Attorneys who specialize in that particular type of law are more equipped to advise you and draft your unique documents that reflect recent changes. 


Ultimately, self-help legal services companies’ low upfront costs are not worth it. All that their customers receive for paying that low price are documents that are often poorly drafted, generic, and potentially inaccurate. Hiring an attorney who specializes in business law from the start is more beneficial, less costly, and less time consuming, and not to mention will provide you with the peace of mind for the warranty of your documents.

Cozza Law Group Business Law Blog

The 5 D's of Business That You Must Know

By Matthew Bolewitz • April 20, 2026
the 5 d's of business - a must read for business owners

How Business Litigation Protects Companies From Costly Disputes

By Rocco Cozza • April 19, 2026
How Business Litigation Protects Companies From Costly Disputes Although there are many costs involved in doing business, disputes can take a particularly high toll on a company's finances. These disputes might involve contract breaches, copyright violations, premises liability lawsuits, allegations of fraud, and much more. The obvious strategy is to avoid these disputes at all costs. How does business litigation fit into this equation? Can a company use business litigation to strategically protect itself from disputes? These are questions you might want to explore with an experienced business litigation lawyer in Pittsburgh . Business Litigation Strategies Are Often Preventive in Nature Many business litigation strategies are preventative in nature. In other words, companies take effective, early legal steps to eliminate the chances of disputes and legal action at a later date. One example of this is an effective business contract. When drafted properly, a business contract leaves little room for litigation or any other disputes. Many contracts contain arbitration or mediation clauses. These clauses force parties toward private negotiations instead of the courtroom floor. This private “alternative dispute resolution” (ADR) process is inherently cheaper, faster, and more private than litigation. Once a dispute reaches the courtroom, companies must pay much higher legal fees. They also face longer timelines. One of the biggest downsides of litigation for companies is its public nature. Many companies desperately need to keep sensitive information out of the public eye, whether that includes baseless allegations, copyrighted material, trade secrets, or more. Private negotiations can be so quick that they can hardly be called “disputes,” and issues may be resolved in a matter of weeks. In an ideal world, these disputes never even happen in the first place. A strong contract lays out clear responsibilities and privileges for each party, leaving little room for misinterpretation. Another obvious way to avoid business litigation is by choosing appropriate business partners. Another preventative business litigation strategy involves liability waivers. Although these waivers are not as effective as some company leaders assume, they can nonetheless prevent many needless or frivolous lawsuits. Liability waivers are not appropriate or possible in all industries, but they could be worth considering for businesses that welcome large numbers of patrons onto their premises. Business Litigation Strategies May Involve Regulatory Compliance Sometimes, the biggest legal threat to a business is not a partner or a customer, but rather the government. Regulatory compliance is an incredibly important business litigation strategy, and company leaders should consider consulting with lawyers who understand the specific regulations and laws that pertain to their industries. For example, a company that deals with industrial waste or chemicals may need to become highly familiar with the environmental laws. Generally speaking, these laws become more restrictive each year. Company leaders may need to keep a close eye on regulatory changes to ensure compliance. A company in another industry might deal with a substantial number of employees. If this is the case, the company might need to pay close attention to labor laws, discrimination laws, religious rights, and many other factors that can lead to employment lawsuits. Poaching is another issue that could be concerning, as are non-compete clauses. An experienced business litigation law firm may be able to help companies draft policies and contracts that drastically limit the number of employment-based legal issues in the future. For example, a company might have to follow strict guidelines if it wants to create enforceable non-compete clauses in Pennsylvania. Organized Corporate Governance Can Reduce Litigation and Disputes Many business disputes stem from poor, disorganized corporate governance. When the working relationship between shareholders, partners, and the executive suite begins to fall apart, disputes are inevitable. Effective shareholder agreements and organized record-keeping can go a long way in making sure everyone is on the same page. Business Litigation Attorneys Can Help With Risk Assessment Sometimes, dispute prevention starts with risk assessment. If company leaders become aware of a potential legal risk, they might consider a different approach or business strategy. For example, a company might consider entering into a new contract with a supplier. A business litigation attorney may be able to conduct effective legal research into the new supplier to determine the legal risk associated with a new contract. Perhaps the new supplier tends to get into lawsuits with its partners. Maybe the company is already in the process of being sued. Whatever the case may be, an experienced lawyer can help company leaders assess the legal risks associated with certain actions before moving forward. Most Disputes Never Reach the Trial Stage Since parties usually understand the downsides of going to trial, they tend to settle their disputes outside of court. This means that disputes rarely escalate into trials. However, this does not necessarily mean that a privately settled dispute is not costly for a company. Instead, a settlement could be disastrous for a company. This is why it makes sense to negotiate effectively, even if you’re dealing with someone who agrees to mediation or arbitration. Business litigation attorneys are often effective negotiators, and they can guide both parties toward mutually beneficial outcomes. If the goal is to reduce the cost of a dispute, a lawyer can push back with effective counterpoints and counteroffers. If the goal is to gain as large a settlement as possible, your lawyer can advocate on your behalf and reject lowball offers. Can a Business Litigation Lawyer in Pittsburgh Help My Company? Whether you are facing a dispute or you simply want to avoid the possibility of legal action in the future, a business litigation lawyer in Pittsburgh may be able to help. These lawyers can help your company take preventative steps, such as creating effective contracts or liability waivers. A business litigation attorney can also help you if your company is already facing a serious dispute or lawsuit. Consider reaching out to Cozza Law Group, PLLC, at (412) 790-2789 to learn more about your next potential steps. You can also find us online .