Independent editorial cost research
Independent estimates of what business legal work really costs.
No law firm sponsorships, no lead resale, no referral fees. Just published numbers, honest ranges and the assumptions behind them.
No referrals, ever
We do not match you with attorneys and we do not take a cut of anything you buy.
Wide, honest ranges
Real quotes vary. We publish a low and a high instead of one flattering number.
Assumptions in the open
Every calculator shows its inputs, its fee sources and what it deliberately leaves out.
Calculators
Three estimators covering the legal spend most small businesses actually face.
Trademark registration cost calculator
Government fees, clearance search, filing help and the office action risk that most quotes leave out.
Run the numbersLLC formation cost calculator by state
State filing fees, annual reports, franchise taxes, registered agent pricing and publication rules.
Run the numbersContract review and drafting cost calculator
What an NDA, service agreement, employment contract or lease costs hourly versus flat fee.
Run the numbersGuides
Longer reads on where legal budgets go and why quotes differ so much.
8 min read
Delaware LLC vs your home state: the real cost comparison
The extra tax, agent and registration layer that a low formation price can hide.
8 min read
What an S corporation election costs to set up and run
Separate the free IRS election from payroll, accounting and recurring return costs.
8 min read
Registered agent costs: DIY vs paid service
Address requirements, renewal prices and the practical cost of handling legal notices.
9 min read
LLC annual report fees and franchise taxes by state
Verified recurring charges in 10 states, with report fees and taxes kept separate.
8 min read
New York LLC publication requirement: what it costs by county
Official filing charges, designated newspapers and a process for comparing county quotes.
8 min read
How much does a patent cost: provisional vs nonprovisional
Entity specific USPTO fees, drafting budgets, examination and maintenance.
8 min read
Copyright registration costs and when it is worth it
Online application eligibility, ownership checks and the difference between fees and advice.
9 min read
What an LLC operating agreement costs: template vs attorney
Compare templates, focused review and custom drafting around the actual founders' agreement.
9 min read
How much does a trademark really cost in 2026
Filing fees are the small part. Here is where the rest of a trademark budget actually goes.
10 min read
LLC formation costs by state: the real numbers
Filing fees, annual fees, franchise taxes and the publication requirements nobody warns you about.
8 min read
California LLC cost in 2026: the real annual numbers
Seventy dollars to file, eight hundred a year to keep. Full first year and ongoing line items.
8 min read
What contract review actually costs
Hourly rates, flat fees, redline rounds and how document complexity moves the number.
8 min read
DIY vs attorney: when paying more saves money
A plain reading of where self service works fine and where it quietly gets expensive.
How we stay independent
Cost of Legal is funded by display advertising only. We do not accept payment from law firms or filing services for coverage or placement, we do not run affiliate links to legal products, and we do not collect reader contact details for resale. If a figure on this site is wrong, the fix is a correction, not a sponsorship.
Read the full methodologyEducational estimates only. The figures on this page are general market research, not legal advice, and no attorney client relationship is created by using this site. Cost of Legal does not provide, broker or arrange legal services, and does not sell or pass on your details to anyone. Confirm current fees with the relevant government office or a licensed professional before you spend money.