Home Blog Is Reddit legal advice trustworthy?

Is Reddit legal advice trustworthy?

Jump to Section

What Is Reddit Legal Advice?

Reddit Legal Advice is a forum on the popular discussion platform, Reddit. Reddit users can create subreddits, or specific forums centered on a certain topic, and then Reddit community members openly contribute to any discussion that may take place. The legal advice subreddit is displayed as r/legaladvice, and anyone who is seeking a space where they can talk about their legal issues and questions with the hope of getting some guidance or suggestions is welcome to share.

How Does the Legal Advice Subreddit Work?

To get started using r/legaladvice, you must first sign up for a Reddit account. All it takes is your email address, and then you'll be able to post specific details about your legal situation and share any questions you have for the forum's moderators. You'll want to share your city and state, as laws can vary depending on location, and make sure that there are no identifying parts to your post such as photos, license plate numbers, or the full names of involved parties.

Unless you choose an identifying user name, all posts by you are anonymous. The moderators providing some degree of legal advice are also anonymous. In this subreddit, nobody is paying for this service and nobody is practicing law without a license. In fact, the 21-person moderator team is made up of lawyers, but also subject matter experts in many fields, including law enforcement and child protective services.

Of course, there are a lot of rules surrounding who can offer real legal advice and in what circumstances they are allowed to, so the Reddit legal advice forum includes a disclaimer at the top to describe the form and function of the subreddit. It says, "A place to ask simple legal questions. Advice here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered final or official advice. See a local attorney for the best answers to your questions."

The description of the subreddit goes on to explain this space as a place to receive an answer to simple questions and to get an explanation of legal concepts about the law that's related to your situation. The idea behind the forum is for the moderators to point you in the right direction and help you determine what your next steps are for additional advice if needed.

Essentially, the r/legaladvice subreddit is a place for people who might need legal advice, but the people responding to comments are not technically giving legal advice.

Advantages of Reddit Legal Advice

As long as you know the exact purpose of the r/legaladvice subreddit, there are some advantages to using the platform if you come upon your own legal situation that you need help with. The advantages of the legal advice subreddit include:

  • Moderators: The 21-person team of moderators takes their role seriously, keeping a tight leash on what's allowed to come through as a post. They don't allow any posts that are offensive, off-topic, or abusive. They are also experts in their field and able to give guidance on topics they are very familiar with. There are more of a variety of subject matter experts here than you may find at a typical specialty law firm.
  • Anonymity : Legal matters can be personal, so if you want to get some advice without having to share who you are, this is a great forum to check out.
  • Free: This is a forum where you can get some level of advice without having to pay for it. It's a great alternative for those who can't afford an attorney's consultation fees.
  • Guidance: What the r/legaladvice subreddit was created for was to give some legal guidance to those who need it. Part of that is letting you know when you really should be speaking with an attorney about your case. Not everything can be addressed in this forum, but the moderators can tell you when your situation is beyond what they can personally assist with. Since a lot of people aren't aware of when they need to see an attorney, this can be very helpful.

Risks of Using the Reddit Legal Advice Forum

As with anything so sensitive as legal advice, there are some risks involved with using a platform like this to get advice about your situation. The biggest risk is in moderators, or anyone else who comments on your forum post, providing bad advice. Unfortunately, it can (and does) happen, which can lead to devastating results. It's important to always remember that the advice received on r/legaladvice cannot possibly be all the legal advice you could ever need. The disclaimer at the top of the forum is there for a reason — so users know exactly why the forum exists.

Most posts on this subreddit give an overview of one's situation and are not as detailed as you may be expected to get if you were to retain and work with a lawyer who needs to know everything about your case. Your brief explanation, in comparison, doesn't give the Reddit moderator enough to go on to be able to provide the most thorough advice.

An attorney will ask pertinent questions to get the information they need to start working on your case or give you official legal advice. Especially when you consider federal laws, and different state and local laws, there is even more of a chance that a moderator could give you incorrect or incomplete information.

In one example, a Reddit user posted that his wife was seeking a divorce. He was upset at this decision and wanted to know how he could make the process difficult for her, so he took to Reddit with his question. Someone on the forum suggested that he could contact all the family law attorneys within a certain mile radius of his home with the idea that they could not represent his wife if he had first approached them.

The wife ended up having to go through even more work to start divorce proceedings, but once the court found out that the Reddit poster went to such lengths to make things harder for his wife, they ordered him to pay some of her court fees.

Things to Remember

If you keep these things in mind, you should have greater success in seeking legal advice:

  • Your situation is unique: Unless you're prepared to give detailed information to someone, anyone else won't have the whole story. It's important to be clear about what you're going through and to look for advice from someone who has a lot of experience in the field.
  • You get what you pay for: Reddit is free, which can be beneficial for many, but it may still be best to visit an actual attorney. Many lawyers offer free consultations so you can see if they are the right fit for your situation.

Although the Reddit legal advice subreddit can be helpful to some, it doesn't replace the advice of a qualified attorney who specializes in cases just like yours. Whether you need a contract looked over or a lawyer to represent you in court, it may be best to take advice from Reddit on what you should do next, or what kind of lawyer to seek out, but then do the extra leg work yourself to solve the legal situation you're in.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


Meet some of our Lawyers

Chris H. on ContractsCounsel
View Chris
5.0 (22)
Member Since:
June 1, 2023

Chris H.

Lawyer
Dayton, Ohio
3 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
Concord Law School at Purdue University Global

As an attorney licensed in California and currently practicing remotely from Ohio, my primary focus is on drafting and reviewing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. I offer help in drafting or navigating these agreements, ensuring they are tailored to each client's unique situation and needs. While my background includes experience in cybersecurity, my current legal services are centered around family law, particularly in the creation and revision of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Additionally, I provide services in wills and trusts, along with other legal areas, to offer comprehensive solutions to my clients.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Chris was incredibly thorough, clear, and thoughtful throughout the entire prenup review process. He explained the important legal implications in a way that was easy to understand and was especially careful about timing and execution details. Highly recommend!"

Brian W. on ContractsCounsel
View Brian
5.0 (7)
Member Since:
May 18, 2023

Brian W.

Business & Immigration Attorney
Free Consultation
Texas or Alabama
3 Yrs Experience
Licensed in AL
Texas Southern University

As a licensed AL lawyer with over 7 years of experience in the legal field, I have spent more than 15 years working in the business and finance sector. I am deeply passionate about immigration, contracts, & my expertise spans a wide range of projects. From handling ICOs & IPOs to navigating VCs, SaaS, OnlyFans, Wholesaler & Manufacturing Agreements, Prenups, Movie Finance, M & As, Visas, Green Cards and more. I have a comprehensive understanding of various contractual needs. Whatever your contract requirements may be, feel free to reach out to me—I can craft or work on any contract with precision and expertise.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Brian was great to work with and delivered the work requested well before the deadline. He went above and beyond to provide what I needed for my project. Thanks, Brian!"

Nancy S. on ContractsCounsel
View Nancy
5.0 (2)
Member Since:
May 21, 2023

Nancy S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Houston, Texas
44 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TX
University of Houston

Seasoned corporate, business and real estate attorney with 30 years experience managing private practice groups and in-house legal functions for publicly traded, privately held, and family companies.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"I had the pleasure of working with Nancy on a commercial lease for our Business, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience. From our initial consultation to the final signing, her professionalism, deep knowledge of real estate law, and attention to detail were outstanding. What impressed me most was the clear and consistent communication. She took the time to walk me through all clause of the lease on which we had concerns, answered all my questions promptly, and made sure I fully understood my rights and obligations and also suggested modification which would help me as a Tenant. Her expertise helped negotiate favorable terms and avoid potential pitfalls I wouldn’t have caught on my own. If you're looking for a real estate attorney who combines strong legal skills with excellent client service, I highly recommend Nancy. She made a potentially stressful process feel smooth and secure."

Fabian G. on ContractsCounsel
View Fabian
4.8 (5)
Member Since:
May 9, 2023

Fabian G.

Managing Attorney at GV LAW
Free Consultation
Miami, Florida
5 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL
University of Miami School of Law

Fabian Garcia Villanueva is the Managing Attorney and Founder of GV Law PLLC, a premier boutique law firm delivering Big Law level representation to clients across corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters. At GV Law, Mr. Garcia leads a multidisciplinary team that advises business owners, investors, and professionals on complex transactions, strategic growth initiatives, and compliance across multiple sectors including healthcare, finance, real estate, technology, and international business. The firm handles everything from business formations and cross-border transactions to mergers and acquisitions, private offerings, commercial agreements, and ongoing legal operations support. Known for precision, strategic thinking, and relentless attention to detail, Mr. Garcia brings the rigor of top-tier law firms into a modern, agile practice. GV Law’s clients include emerging ventures, established corporations, and high-net-worth individuals seeking first-class legal partnership built on trust, efficiency, and results.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Good work, on time, good communications - very smooth process."

Venus C. on ContractsCounsel
View Venus
Member Since:
May 9, 2023

Venus C.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
West Palm Beach, Florida
22 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL
Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude

Venus Caruso is a Florida-based attorney who has been helping companies and individuals with their contract needs for over two decades. She leverages her 10 years spent as a complex commercial litigator and 7 years spent as in-house legal counsel to help clients with their contract needs, whether it’s preparing a contract or providing feedback and redlining. Some types of contracts that Venus can help you with include NDAs, digital agency agreements, marketing agreements, employment agreements, Florida LLC operating agreements, software development agreements, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, non-circumvention agreements, sales rep agreements, software agreements, SaaS agreements, contract amendments, and termination of contract agreements.

Erik W. on ContractsCounsel
View Erik
Member Since:
May 22, 2023

Erik W.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Orlando, Florida
16 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL
Florida A&M University College of Law

Erik J. Washington completed his undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Mr. Washington went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law. Upon receiving his J.D., Mr. Washington was admitted to The Florida Bar and the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. Mr. Washington started his legal career by working with a boutique Orlando law firm where his practice concentrated on family law, bankruptcy, helping clients with estate planning and probate matters, and advising homeowner’s association boards on proper administration. After that experience Mr. Washington later joined another mid-size Orlando law firm where he would eventually become the Managing Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney where he oversaw the filing and administration of hundreds of chapter 7 and chapter 13 cases. Prior to starting the Washington Law Firm, Mr. Washington was an associate at a Central Florida Bankruptcy law firm working under the tutu ledge of a highly respected bankruptcy attorney with over 20 years of bankruptcy experience. Mr. Washington has learned that bankruptcy is a tool designed that not only benefits a person in debt but is also good for the economy as a whole. It is because this new beginning and fresh start that it becomes a means of not only helping a person in debt, but it gives that person once in debt the chance to reestablish good credit and yet again borrow money to spend. Mr. Washington focuses on consumer bankruptcy, real estate, probate, and auto accidents.

Christopher M. on ContractsCounsel
View Christopher
Member Since:
May 22, 2023

Christopher M.

Owner of The McKenna Law Group, LLC
Free Consultation
Frederick, Maryland
23 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD, VA
University of Richmond, TC Williams School of Law

Skilled and experienced business attorney with vast experience in a wide array of commercial contracts. Strong emphasis on the lodging and hospitality practice field, including real estate acquisition and disposition, management agreements, franchise agreements, design & construction contracting and finance.

Andy K. on ContractsCounsel
View Andy
Member Since:
May 20, 2023

Andy K.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Michigan
16 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MI
Michigan State University College of Law

Licensed in MI since 2010. Practiced SSDI appeals and auto negligence for over a decade until 12/2022 when I left largest personal injury firm In MI to open my own estate planning firm. Looking for part-time contract/remote work to supplement income as I build my own practice.

Bethany T. on ContractsCounsel
View Bethany
Member Since:
May 22, 2023

Bethany T.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Florida and California
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, FL
Chapman University School of Law

I am an experienced family law attorney licensed in California and Florida with over 13 years of experience.

Maria M. on ContractsCounsel
View Maria
Member Since:
May 21, 2023

Maria M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
North Carolina
30 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NC, NJ, PA
Temple University Beasley School of Law

I have worked for over 20 years in the areas of family law, business formation, contracts and real estate law. In the area of family law, I represent clients in all areas of family law including child custody, child support, spousal support and marital property division as well as preparing prenuptial and separation agreements. I am experienced in real estate law, including commercial and residential leases, preparing various types of real estate related contracts. I am also experienced in business formation among other business law matters. I currently work in the area of grant management with the Small Business Administration.

Don K. on ContractsCounsel
View Don
Member Since:
May 22, 2023

Don K.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Remote
4 Yrs Experience
Licensed in AL
Lincoln Memorial University

Oliver Keene is not your typical attorney. With a personal touch and a passion for helping others, he goes above and beyond to provide exceptional legal services. Born and raised in the heart of the Appalachian coalfields, Oliver understands the value of hard work and perseverance. His small-town upbringing instilled in him a deep sense of community and a commitment to making a difference in people's lives. Oliver's journey in the legal field began with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Bluefield University. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Memorial University - Duncan School of Law, where he excelled in his studies and developed a strong foundation in law. Throughout his career, Oliver has gained invaluable experience working as a public defender, an attorney advisor for the Small Business Administration, and in various legal roles. With a focus on estate planning and business law, Oliver is dedicated to helping individuals and families protect their assets, plan for the future, and navigate the complexities of the legal system. His approachable demeanor, attention to detail, and genuine care for his clients set him apart. Oliver's clients can trust that he will go the extra mile to ensure their legal needs are met with the utmost professionalism and personalized service. Outside of his legal practice, Oliver enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, exploring the great outdoors, and indulging in his passion for hunting and fishing. His commitment to serving military families is evident in his offering of discounted services as a token of gratitude for their sacrifices. When you choose Oliver Keene as your attorney, you're not just hiring a legal professional - you're gaining a trusted advisor and a compassionate advocate. With Oliver by your side, you can have confidence that your legal matters will be handled with the highest level of expertise and care.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with a legal contract?

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Business Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

How It Works

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city