How Much Is NOLO?
A basic LLC formation package from NOLO starts at $49.00 + state fees. Or, you can choose a Premier package and start an LLC online for $299 + state fees.
What You Get
With NOLO’s basic package, you get validation of your LLC name, preparation and filing of your certificate of formation, and a prepared and customized LLC operating agreement. You’ll also get automated error checking and customer service phone support. If you upgrade to the premium package, you’ll also receive a personalized LLC records binder and seal, prepared IRS application for an employer identification number (EIN), and priority rush filing, along with expedited shipping of your final package.
How Fast?
It will take 2-3 weeks to get your LLC back with the Basic and Standard packages. The Express package takes only 7-10 days. These time frames may vary depending on the state. If you order the Express package, your paperwork will be filed within one business day, and your completed LLC package and records kit will be sent within five business days, by expedited shipping, assuming there are no delays from the state.
Bonus Features
The features listed in NOLO’s LLC packages appear to be fairly standard — however, NOLO does have a number of resources available through their website, including a Find a Lawyer service, legal articles and calculators.
The Trust Factor
NOLO is an established brand that has published do-it-yourself legal guides since 1971. The company has been recommended by such reputable sources as The New York Times, USA Today, and Yahoo! When we searched “NOLO Reviews,” we found 13,292 likes on NOLO’s Facebook page, but no NOLO reviews for LLC formation. However, we found a “Great” rating on TrustPilot, a third-party site. Out of 40 TrustPilot NOLO reviews, the average ranking was 7.7 out of 10. Overall, the company seems trustworthy, but it should be noted that these NOLO reviews were for all services provided by the company — not just LLC formation.
Customer Service
When you click the “Customer Service” section of the NOLO website, you’re first taken to a webpage with lots of links. Click “General Customer Service” and you’ll see many FAQs and Order / Billing questions. After scrolling through these, if you don’t see your question answered, you may complete a contact form. We didn’t see a support phone number listed — and we looked pretty hard. In our opinion, this is a bit of a red flag. We understand wanting to reduce service calls for frequently asked questions. However, sometimes it’s nice to be able to pick up the phone and call someone.
Negative Factors
NOLO’s LLC order form used some javascript that didn’t work well with the multiple browsers we used to review their website. Perhaps it was a bad day for them, but it was frustrating for us. There order form was broken down into 5 steps. After Step 1 we could not proceed wit the remaining steps without registering an email and password. I’m sure they have a reason for this, but it was yet another frustration for us.
The Big Picture
NOLO is a well-known, large company with a long history in the do-it-yourself legal forms space, which could make them a good fit to start an LLC online. However, if you want personal service via phone, it might be a good idea to choose a company with a more service-oriented mindset. Their price of $99 is fair, but we found a better price at IncFile. Check out our IncFile review — they charge just $49 + state fees to start an LLC online.