Today, founders can teach themselves almost anything. You can do your own taxes, build a website, learn to code, and even form a company online. The same is true for startup formation documents: there are several online platforms that offer automated incorporation packages, and some of them are quite good.
But the real issue is not just filing the incorporation paperwork. Forming a company correctly also requires putting the right legal documents and governance structure in place from the outset. That includes decisions about founder vesting, stock allocations, board composition, option pools, intellectual property assignments, and other key matters that many founders do not fully appreciate at the beginning.
Yes, using an online service may save a few hundred dollars. But doing it properly still requires time, attention, and a willingness to learn the legal and practical issues involved. And many founders get important details wrong. Early mistakes—especially around capitalization, vesting, or governance—can create problems that are much more expensive to fix later.
For that reason, I generally think it is better to hire an attorney, particularly if the cost difference is relatively small. A lawyer can help tailor the setup to the company’s actual needs and catch issues before they become costly.