The Forthlaw Difference
Transparent pricing that saves bootstrapped founders 60-85% compared to traditional law firms
Price Comparison
Our Prices vs. Traditional Law Firms
Compare our transparent, fixed-fee pricing with the hourly billing model of traditional law firms. See exactly how much you save with Forthlaw.
| Service | Our Price | Traditional Law Firm | Your Savings |
|---|
* Traditional law firm costs are based on typical hourly rates of $300-$800 for business attorneys
Why the Dramatic Difference?
Two Different Models
Traditional Law Firm Model
- High overhead costs (premium office space, support staff)
- Billable hour requirements (incentivizes time-consuming approaches)
- Partner profit expectations (typically targeting $500K-$1M+ per partner)
- Inefficient processes (each document created nearly from scratch)
- Risk premium (charging more for perceived complexity)
- Unpredictable costs (no price transparency until the bill arrives)
- One-size-fits-all approach (same service level regardless of need)
Our Streamlined Approach
- Standardized processes for common startup needs
- Technology-enabled document automation
- Focus exclusively on bootstrapped founders' needs
- No expensive office overhead
- Transparent, predictable fixed-fee pricing
- Elimination of the partner profit margin
- Services designed specifically for bootstrapped startup needs
The Details
Breaking Down the Costs
Here's what goes into traditional law firm pricing versus our streamlined approach
vs
Traditional Law Firm Breakdown:
- Entity formation documents: 3-5 hours ($900-$4,000)
- Operating agreement/bylaws: 2-4 hours ($600-$3,200)
- EIN application guidance: 0.5-1 hour ($150-$800)
- State selection consulting: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
- Filing coordination: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
Savings:
SAFE Agreement Package
$1,200 vs $3,500-$7,000
Traditional Law Firm Breakdown:
- SAFE agreement drafting: 3-5 hours ($900-$4,000)
- Investor communication: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
- Cap table setup: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
- Due diligence coordination: 2-3 hours ($600-$2,400)
- Closing coordination: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
Savings: 66%-83%
LLC to Corporation Conversion
$1,275 vs $4,500-$7,000
Traditional Law Firm Breakdown:
- Conversion analysis & planning: 2-3 hours ($600-$2,400)
- Corporate formation documents: 3-4 hours ($900-$3,200)
- Asset transfer agreements: 2-3 hours ($600-$2,400)
- Tax election filings: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
- State compliance coordination: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
Savings: 64%-82%
Equity Financing Package
$2,400 vs $8,000-$15,000
Traditional Law Firm Breakdown:
- Series A documentation: 8-12 hours ($2,400-$9,600)
- Investor rights agreements: 4-6 hours ($1,200-$4,800)
- Board resolutions & voting: 2-3 hours ($600-$2,400)
- Due diligence coordination: 3-5 hours ($900-$4,000)
- Closing & post-closing items: 2-4 hours ($600-$3,200)
Savings: 70%-84%
Team Equity Package
$650 vs $2,500-$5,000
Traditional Law Firm Breakdown:
- Equity plan design: 2-3 hours ($600-$2,400)
- Stock option agreements: 3-4 hours ($900-$3,200)
- Vesting schedules: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
- 83(b) election guidance: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
- Tax implications consultation: 1-2 hours ($300-$1,600)
Savings: 74%-87%
Small Business Acquisition
$2,950 vs $8,000-$25,000
Traditional Law Firm Breakdown:
- Purchase agreement drafting: 6-10 hours ($1,800-$8,000)
- Due diligence review: 8-15 hours ($2,400-$12,000)
- Asset vs stock analysis: 2-4 hours ($600-$3,200)
- Escrow arrangements: 2-3 hours ($600-$2,400)
- Closing coordination: 3-5 hours ($900-$4,000)
Savings: 65%-88%
Why These Savings Are Possible
Traditional Law Firm Model:
- • $300-$800/hour billing rates
- • High overhead costs
- • Partner profit requirements
- • Custom work for every client
- • Risk premiums for complex work
Our Streamlined Approach:
- • Standardized processes for common needs
- • Technology-enabled automation
- • Focus on bootstrapped founders
- • Fixed-fee pricing transparency
- • Elimination of markup inefficiencies
"11 years ago when starting my first business, I got a quote from a medium-sized law firm for over $10,000 just to handle the basic incorporation and startup legal work. My total funding at the time was only $10,000! I eventually found an attorney who agreed to do it for $1,500 — but the work was riddled with errors. I created Forthlaw so no other founder ever has to go through what I went through, just to take a chance on their dream."
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