SEATTLE – If you've watched cable TV, you've likely seen celebrity attorney Robert Shapiro tout his company, LegalZoom, as a way to start businesses, patent inventions and create wills. "We put the law on your side,” he says.

But the Washington Attorney General's Office wants to be sure consumers aren't misled by LegalZoom's cost-saving claims.

"LegalZoom offers do-it-yourself legal documents online but can't provide you with legal advice or tell you which forms to fill out," Attorney General Rob McKenna said.

Under a settlement with the Attorney General's Office, LegalZoom can't compare its costs to attorneys' fees unless the company clearly discloses that its service isn't a substitute for a law firm.

Simply selling legal forms doesn't constitute the practice of law. LegalZoom can only provide an online form service that allows consumers to choose and complete their own legal documents, explained Consumer Protection Division Chief Doug Walsh.

The agreement filed today in Thurston County Superior Court also prohibits LegalZoom from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, selling personal information obtained from Washington customers or misrepresenting the benefits of any estate distribution document.

Additionally, the agreement requires LegalZoom to ensure any forms sold to Washington consumers comply with local laws. Walsh said the Attorney General's Office was concerned LegalZoom's estate planning documents weren't sufficient for all Washington state residents. For example, the company doesn't offer a Community Property agreement form, a document commonly combined with a simple will in order to avoid probate when there is a surviving spouse. If consumers need individualized advice about estate planning legal documents, they are well advised to consult an attorney.

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