LegalShield

LegalShield's Consumer Stress Legal Index (CSLI) is unlike other economic indicators — it's built on approximately 150,000 consumer calls for legal assistance received each month, capturing what Americans are actually doing, not what they say in a survey. Our Q2 2026 CSLI report, released today, shows foreclosure inquiries reaching their highest level since March 2020 — up 12.2% year-over-year — with bankruptcy inquiries posting the largest annual increase of any category we track at 28.7%. Our Q2 2026 CSLI findings: 📉 Foreclosure Index: +12.2% year-over-year 📉 Overall consumer legal stress: +9.4% YoY 📉 Regional divergence: Midwest seeing the sharpest foreclosure surge (+44.1%); Northeast declining When people stop Googling and start calling a lawyer, we know. And right now, they're calling about foreclosure and bankruptcy at rates we haven't seen in years. Read the full Q2 2026 CSLI report → https://bit.ly/4pmQE1I

Thank you to HRD America for covering this — it's a conversation that's long overdue. Our proprietary data flagged something most workplaces still aren't talking about. Elder care-related legal calls to our provider law firms have increased 108% since 2022. Wills. Trusts. Powers of attorney. Conservatorships. All of it, nearly doubling in three years. The Sandwich Generation — adults between 40 and 60 who are raising children while caring for aging parents — is quietly managing one of the most complex legal and emotional burdens in modern family life. We partnered with Care.com to bring their Senior Care Advisor program to LegalShield members — giving members help navigating the emotional, mental, and physical demands of caregiving, plus a LegalShield provider law firm for the legal work that inevitably follows. No surprise fees. No figuring it out alone. This is the kind of benefit that matters when it matters most. If you're an employee who doesn't know whether your company offers it, that's a question worth asking HR.

World Cup Ticket Fraud Is Already Underway — Here's What the Data Shows With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off across 11 U.S. cities, LegalShield data reveals a striking consumer risk: 35% of people have experienced grievances tied to event tickets. Of those, 68% paid for tickets the seller never had, and 36% had a verified ticket rejected at the gate as fraudulent. Key protections for fans and their families: → Purchase only through FIFA's official platform or venue-authorized resellers → Always pay by credit card — it's your primary dispute tool → Screenshot every listing before you purchase Watch InvestigateTV's interview with Ben Farrow, partner at Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC, a LegalShield provider firm 👉 https://bit.ly/4vKAnWh And read more from our recent blog here 👉 https://bit.ly/3S0Of01 #WorldCup2026 #GhostTickets #ConsumerAlert #WatchingYourWallet #FIFAWorldCup

"What our data is showing is essentially two housing markets inside one country." That's how Matt Layton, LegalShield's SVP of Consumer Analytics, describes what our CSLI data shows about the U.S. housing landscape heading into summer 2026 — drawn from 36 million consumer legal intakes. The West stands alone — the only region outperforming pre-pandemic norms across foreclosure, construction, and sales simultaneously. Meanwhile, the South has reached its highest foreclosure pressure since 2019, up 46% year over year, driven not by adjustable rates but by escrow shock: rising insurance premiums and property taxes quietly resetting payments on loans homeowners thought were stable. For professionals advising clients on real estate, financial planning, or legal risk — regional context has never mattered more. 📊 Full Consumer Stress Legal Index (CSLI) report: https://lnkd.in/eF_ian4f

Caring for an aging parent is one of the hardest things a family can face — and most people are doing it without real guidance. That's why we partnered with Care.com to bring their Senior Care Advisor program to LegalShield members. Members who signed up for LegalShield through their employer benefits will now have access to experts who specialize in senior care — offering 1:1 consultations, prescreened provider referrals, and ongoing guidance. And when legal questions come up (Powers of Attorney, healthcare directives, estate planning), a LegalShield provider lawyer is already part of the plan. Because legal and life aren't separate things. 🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4o2gY0o

The excitement around the 2026 FIFA World Cup is at an all-time high — and unfortunately, so is the number of ticket scams targeting fans. Fraudulent listings have flooded resale platforms, leaving buyers out of pocket and out of luck. But victims aren't entirely without recourse. Provider lawyer Ben Farrow notes that consumers can file reports with the FTC, state agencies, or their state's attorney general. While that may not result in recovering lost funds, it can drive meaningful change and help protect others going forward. Read more of what Ben Farrow tells Kiplinger below. 👇 #WorldCup2026 #ConsumerProtection #PersonalFinance #FraudAwareness #FinancialWellness

Most small business owners handle legal situations themselves. Most of them lose money doing it. New data from our LegalShield survey reveals: 👉 52% of small business owners handle legal situations without professional help — and nearly 3 in 4 of them lose money as a result. 👉 76% of small business owners say affordable, on-demand legal support would be extremely or very valuable. 👉 44% say business sale or acquisition advising is the legal service they need most “By the time most owners reach out, they’re already managing a problem that could have been prevented,” said Mike Fiffik, a LegalShield provider lawyer at Fiffik Law Group, PC “The cost of not having legal guidance almost always dwarfs the cost of getting it.” The demand for accessible legal help is overwhelming — 76% say affordable, on-demand legal support would be extremely or very valuable. Don't navigate this alone. Read more on our recent survey data here. 👉 https://bit.ly/4ex6aEU #SmallBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessExit #LegalShield #Entrepreneurship #WealthTransfer #BusinessOwner

We're proud to share that LegalShield's own Vin Mitty, PhD was named one of the Top 100 Data & Analytics Professionals at the 2026 OnCon Icon Awards — an honor voted on entirely by peers across industries. No panels. No politics. Just recognition from the people who know the work best. We're proud to have you on our team. Congratulations! 👏

Foreclosure-related legal requests rose 20% year-over-year in March, according to the LegalShield Consumer Stress Legal Index (CSLI) — based on more than 150,000 attorney calls a month. Homeowners were comfortable with their monthly costs when they bought their homes, but “all of a sudden, a year later or three years later, that mortgage payment jumps beyond that percentage that they had accounted for, when you add in insurance and taxes,” said Rebecca Carter, a LegalShield provider lawyer. If that sounds familiar, you don't have to navigate it alone. Read the full story in The Wall Street Journal. ⬇️ #LegalShield #Foreclosure #HousingCrisis #ConsumerProtection #KnowYourRights

3 in 4 Americans have felt swindled in everyday consumer situations — yet most never say a word about it. A new LegalShield study of 2,000 adults found that hidden fees, undelivered services, and outright scams are far more common than many realize. As LegalShield provider lawyer Rebecca Carter says: "There is this kind of a cloud that follows people when they've been a victim, but it's not their fault. Anyone can fall for it." The takeaway for consumers: document everything, pay by check or credit card, and don't stay silent — fighting back is almost always worth it. 📖 Full story below. #ConsumerProtection #PersonalFinance #Scams #LegalRights