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LegalZoom Terms of Service

  1. I understand and agree that LegalZoom is not a law firm or an attorney and may not perform services performed by an attorney. Rather, I am representing myself in this legal matter. No attorney-client relationship or privilege is created with LegalZoom.

  2. If, prior to my purchase, I believe that LegalZoom gave me any legal advice, opinion or recommendation about my legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies, I will not proceed with this purchase, and any purchase that I do make will be null and void.

  3. LegalZoom exists solely within the County of Los Angeles in the State of California. I agree that regardless of where I reside or where my browser is physically located, my viewing and use of LegalZoom occurs solely within the County of Los Angeles in the State of California, and that all content and services shall be deemed to be served from, and performed wholly within, Los Angeles, California, as if I had physically traveled there to obtain such service. I agree that California law shall govern any disputes arising from my use of this website, and that the courts of the County of Los Angeles, State of California, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes.

  4. I UNDERSTAND THAT LEGALZOOM'S REVIEW OF MY ANSWERS IS LIMITED TO COMPLETENESS, SPELLING, AND GRAMMAR, AND FOR INTERNAL CONSISTENCY OF NAMES, ADDRESSES, AND THE LIKE. I WILL READ THE FINAL DOCUMENT(S) BEFORE SIGNING IT AND AGREE TO BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINAL DOCUMENT(S). I WILL HOLD LEGALZOOM AND ITS AGENTS HARMLESS. IF THERE IS LIABILITY FOUND ON THE PART OF LEGALZOOM, IT WILL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE PRODUCTS AND/OR SERVICES, EXCEPT FOR THE VAULT SERVICE WHICH IS LIMITED AS DESCRIBED BELOW, AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THERE BE CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

  5. I understand that the Site's general terms of use (the "Terms of Use") also apply to these Terms of Service and in agreeing to these Terms of Service, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to those Terms of Use, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  6. Corporate Center/Subscription Services. I understand that LegalZoom's subscription services and Corporate Center, including, but not limited to, the Registered Agent Services, Minutes Manager, and Compliance Calendar, are subject to supplemental terms of service. If applicable, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the supplemental terms, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  7. Vault Document Storage Service. For purchasers of LegalZoom's Vault Document Storage Service ("Vault Service"), LegalZoom provides secure storage for copies of certain qualifying executed LegalZoom documents (each a "Vault Document"), including Last Will and Testaments, Living Trusts, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Pet Protection Agreements. The Vault Service is available to customers only in conjunction with the purchase of certain additional LegalZoom products, services, and/or plans. Do not send your original documents (each an "Original Document"). Customers using the Vault Service are encouraged to retain their Original Documents and provide LegalZoom with copies of Original Documents as Vault Documents. Customers should preserve Original Documents in a secure and safe location. The Vault Service is intended to provide a record of, and not to serve as a repository for, Original Documents. LegalZoom will not accept Original Documents as Vault Documents and, if apparent, will make reasonable efforts to return Original Documents received to you; provided, however, that if an Original Document is submitted and retained as part of the Vault Service, it will be deemed a copy and preserved as a Vault Document.

    1. Reservation of Rights. LegalZoom reserves the right to store Vault Documents in any format, including hard and/or electronic copies. If you provide LegalZoom with a hard copy Vault Document, you acknowledge that LegalZoom may create an electronic copy of such Vault Document and destroy the hard copy. References to "photocopy" and "copy" in these Terms of Service and other LegalZoom materials, including without limitation the Site, emails, letters, guides, and brochures, do not imply that LegalZoom retains hard copies of Vault Documents. The terms "photocopy," "copy," and "electronic copy" are used interchangeably throughout these Terms of Service.

    2. Limitation of Damages. LEGALZOOM'S MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE VAULT SERVICES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL BE GREATER THAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00). BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, IN SUCH STATES, OUR LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

  8. Installment Plan.

    1. Qualification. The LegalZoom Installment Plan (the "Installment Plan") is available as a purchase option for certain LegalZoom products priced at $200 or more.

    2. Billing. By opting into the Installment Plan, I am agreeing to make an initial payment (the "Initial Installment Payment") immediately when I place my order. I hereby authorize LegalZoom to charge my credit card for two additional installments on approximately, but not before, the first and second month anniversaries (each an "Installment Billing Date") of the Initial Installment Payment. If my purchase date is on the 29th through 31st day of any month, an Installment Billing Date for months with fewer days will fall on the last day of the month. Each payment will be of the same amount, except that if the total purchase price does not divide evenly into three parts, my final installment payment will include all outstanding amounts. I understand that I may pay my outstanding balance at any time without incurring additional charges.

    3. Default. If my credit card is declined, I agree that LegalZoom may make up to five (5) attempts to bill that card over a thirty (30) day period. If I remain in default on the second payment when the third payment is due, I authorize LegalZoom to charge both the second and third payment amounts to my credit card. If three attempts to charge my card are unsuccessful and my account balance remains unpaid, I understand that LegalZoom may report information about my account to credit bureaus, and that late payments, missed payments, and other defaults may be reflected in my credit report. I understand that LegalZoom may restrict my ability to purchase other LegalZoom products if I am delinquent on any payment. I understand that LegalZoom may make efforts to collect a delinquent payment. I understand that if I believe LegalZoom has reported inaccurate information to a consumer reporting agency, I may call the LegalZoom Customer Care Center at (800) 773-0888 and LegalZoom will investigate the matter. I understand that LegalZoom may accept late or partial payments, as well as payments that reflect "paid in full" or other restrictive endorsements, without limiting any of its rights under these Terms of Service.

    4. Store Credit. I understand that if I have a LegalZoom store credit, the amount of that store credit will be deducted from my total purchase price before installment payment amounts are calculated. Store credit will not count against the $200 minimum purchase price per product. If I want to apply a store credit issued after my enrollment in the Installment Plan, I may do so by calling the LegalZoom Customer Care Center at (800) 773-0888.

    5. Notice of Automatic Billing. LegalZoom may send a reminder email to the email address of record for my account before my Installment Billing Dates. I acknowledge and agree that this notice is provided as a courtesy only, and LegalZoom is not obligated or required to provide such notice. I acknowledge and agree that my failure to read or inability to receive the email does not create any liability on the part of LegalZoom or any third-party service provider.

    6. Disputed Charges. I understand that if I dispute a charge to my credit card, I should call the LegalZoom Customer Care Center immediately at (800) 773-0888 and LegalZoom will investigate the matter.

    7. Account Information. I agree to notify LegalZoom immediately of any changes to my credit card number, its expiration date, and/or my billing address, or if my credit card expires or is cancelled for any reason. I understand that if my failure to provide LegalZoom with accurate, complete, and current information results in delinquent payments, LegalZoom may restrict my ability to purchase other LegalZoom products, report information about this delinquency to credit bureaus, and/or pursue further collection efforts.

  9. My purchase grants me a limited license to LegalZoom's LegalZip software to create my own legal documents. I understand that, other than as required by applicable law, I shall have no right to cancel, request a cash refund or obtain store credit for any undelivered order after 120 days have elapsed from the purchase date unless LegalZoom is at fault. All itemization of fees shall have no meaning and are only displayed for convenience. Delivered orders shall be governed by our Guarantee Policy. Both parties acknowledge that LegalZoom is out of pocket time and money for undertaking the work and both parties fully intend to complete the order. Abandoned orders will result in liquidated damages equal to the amount paid to LegalZoom for reimbursement of our commitment to service this order.

  10. I understand that I may request an exchange of one product for a different product and complete a replacement order within 60 days of my purchase. The purchase price of the original item, less any filing fees, taxes or other third-party costs, will be credited to my LegalZoom account. Any price difference between the original order and the replacement order or, if a replacement order is not completed within 60 days of purchase, the full original purchase price (in each case less any filing fees, taxes or other third-party costs) will be credited to my original form of payment. If I paid for my original order by check, I understand that LegalZoom will mail a check for the applicable amount to my billing address.

  11. Except as otherwise noted, filing and recording fees include all mandatory or applicable federal, state, county and local administrative fees and may also include publishing, name check, handling and LegalZoom or third party processing fees.

    12. Trademark Filing Fee: The $325 standard government filing fee for trademarks consists of the standard government TEAS electronic filing fee of $325. If the stricter "TEAS Plus" system can be used for your application, LegalZoom will use this system. The TEAS Plus system streamlines the USPTO review process and has a lower filing fee of $275, but requires additional LegalZoom labor to process. If we are able to use the TEAS Plus system for your application, LegalZoom will still charge $325, of which $275 will be allocated to the USPTO fee and $50 to a LegalZoom processing fee.

  12. LegalZoom Trademark Search

    13. Each LegalZoom trademark search includes information about "active" federal trademarks (i.e., those displaying a status of "LIVE" "PENDING," "PENDING – INITIALIZED," "PENDING - PASSED BY EXAMINER," "PUBLISHED FOR OPPOSITION," "ALLOWED - INTENT TO USE," "PENDING – SUSPENDED," or "REGISTERED") as available in the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website database at the time the search is conducted. A LegalZoom trademark search does not include information about "inactive" trademarks (i.e., those displaying a status of "DEAD," "ABANDONED," "ABANDONED - MISASSIGNED SERIAL NUMBER," "ABANDONED - NO STATEMENT OF USE," "ABANDONED – VOLUNTARY," "CANCELLED," "CANCELLED - SEC. 8," "CANCELLED - SEC. 18," or "EXPIRED"). Active trademarks are those either currently pending or registered and presumed up-to-date with the USPTO, and can be used as a bar to a new trademark registration. Generally, inactive marks will not be used to bar a new trademark registration, although an abandoned application can be revived under certain circumstances. Moreover, an individual may claim common law rights because of its commercial use of a trademark. Without limitation, LegalZoom accepts no responsibility or liability for any impact that any inactive application or registration, or common law use, may have on your registration or trademark.

    LegalZoom strives to provide customers with the most thorough and up-to-date search results through the best available technology and trained search specialists. Accordingly, we take all reasonable steps to ensure that the accuracy and completeness of our searches is the best possible using our resources, including existing databases and personnel. For due diligence purposes, trademark customers should thoroughly examine the search report and review to ensure that they are satisfactory and accurate before making any decisions regarding their trademark(s).

  13. LegalZoom uses a variety of carriers for each shipping option and will choose a delivery method for the shipping option and address I designate. If I select Overnight Delivery or Two-Day Delivery, I agree that LegalZoom may use air or ground shipping as necessary to get my items to me within the promised time frame. The shipping fee indicated does not necessarily represent the actual amount paid by LegalZoom to the carrier chosen for the delivery of my order. It may include, in addition to the fees paid to the carrier, LegalZoom or third party handling and processing fees.

  14. LegalZoom shall not be considered in breach of or default under these Terms of Service or any contract with you, and shall not be liable to you for any cessation, interruption, or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder by reason of earthquake, flood, fire, storm, lightning, drought, landslide, hurricane, cyclone, typhoon, tornado, natural disaster, act of God or the public enemy, epidemic, famine or plague, action of a court or public authority, change in law, explosion, war, terrorism, armed conflict, labor strike, lockout, boycott or similar event beyond our reasonable control, whether foreseen or unforeseen (each a "Force Majeure Event"). If a Force Majeure Event continues for more than sixty (60) days in the aggregate, LegalZoom may immediately terminate these Terms of Service and shall have no liability to you for or as a result of any such termination.

  15. By proceeding with my purchase, I agree to these Terms of Service.