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Federal law first · then your state · official sources only

Know what you can say, sign and ask for, before the moment comes.

Plain-English guides to your rights in the US. Each one is checked against official sources and gives you the exact words to use, a clear next step and a place to get real help.

Start from what is happening

Someone is living on or using my landI want to plan my estate and I am deciding whether I need an estate planning attorneyI have an immigration case and I am deciding who can help me with itPolice want to talk to meA parent needs someone to handle their moneySomeone owes me money and won't payI was arrested or charged with a crime and I need a defense lawyerCan I get food stamps?Can I get Medicaid?A parent died and the family must settle the estateCan I get Section 8 housing?I'm not sure if it's too late to sue
More situations (119)
I want to sue someonePolice pulled me overI am buying or selling a homeMy boss didn't pay overtimeA parent died and the bank wants papersI have an arraignment coming upHow does bail work?I was in a car accidentA debt collector keeps callingA debt collector is after meI want to file for divorceI am getting divorced and deciding whether I need a lawyerI was arrested for DUI or DWII have a problem at work and I am deciding whether I need an employment lawyerI got an eviction noticeMy HOA is fining meI'm paid less than minimum wageWhen can I apply for citizenship?I can't afford a criminal lawyerMy landlord kept my depositCan I get Social Security disability?Can I get SSI?A parent wants to write a willI was hurt at workI was fired and I think it was illegalI was hurt and may need a lawyerA doctor or hospital made a mistakeI want my medical wishes in writingI need to move out before my lease endsThere's a charge on my card I didn't make or agree toI have a citizenship interviewI'm losing my job's health insuranceI got a Notice to AppearWe disagree about custody of our childI was arrested for DUI and I am deciding whether to hire a lawyerI want to clear my criminal recordI need a lawyer I can affordI need time off for a new baby or a serious illnessMy green card is expiringI lost my jobI got a jury summonsA parent is thinking about a living trustI don't get a lunch breakWe are dividing the house, savings and debtsI am buying, selling or having a problem with a home, and I am deciding whether I need a real estate lawyerI need a change at workMy landlord is raising the rentI need a restraining order, or I was served with oneI was handed a severance agreementI got a speeding ticketMy student loan is in default, or close to itI have a problem with my landlordMy wages are being garnishedI want to apply for asylumI'm thinking about filing for bankruptcyI need to get, pay or change child supportI need to make a police reportI have a child custody case and I am deciding whether I need a lawyerSomeone owes me money and won't payMy driver's license may be suspendedI got a summons from a federal courtI have a green card interviewA family member may need a guardian or conservatorSomeone stole my identityMy new car keeps breaking downI need something notarizedI want to add or remove a name on a house deedMy car was repossessed, or it might beI keep getting robocallsI lost money to a scamI'm being sexually harassed at workI'm sick and my boss won't pay meI am thinking about bankruptcy and deciding whether I need a lawyerI got a letter from the IRS or I owe back taxes, and I am deciding whether I need a tax attorneyI need to ask for, pay or change alimonyA background check could cost me a jobI want to cancel something I just boughtI want someone to stop contacting or harassing meThere's a mistake on my credit reportI was sued in federal courtI didn't get my last paycheckSomeone left me an inheritanceI got a medical bill I can't afford or didn't expectI want to change my name, or my child'sI was hurt at work and I am deciding whether to hire a workers' comp lawyerMy disability claim was deniedI need to serve a federal lawsuitWe're getting married and talking about a prenupI was served with a subpoenaA collector wants me to pay an old debtMy car was towedMy unemployment claim was deniedI was discriminated against at workI want to sue in federal courtMy grandchild's parent won't let me visitI got hurt at workI got a parking ticketI slipped and fell on someone else's propertyI slipped and fell on someone else's property and want to know if I need a lawyerWe live together but never had a weddingA dog bit meI have to give a depositionI'm preparing for a mock trial or my own hearingI was hit by a truckA driver hit me or my car and drove awayI crashed on my motorcycleSomeone in my family died because of another person's actionsI or someone in my family has mesothelioma from asbestosI was hurt in a crash with an Uber or Lyft carA default judgment was entered against meMy federal case is going to mediationI am paid on a 1099, but I work like an employeeI want my house to go to my child without probateI think I might have a warrantWe are getting married and need a marriage licenseI want my marriage declared voidMy relative died without a willI signed a non-compete and want to change jobsI am a teenager and I want to live on my own

Find your route

149 guides on 13 routes, federal law first and then your state.

429 free tools

Deadlines, limits, letters, state lookups and checklists. Each one uses only the numbers and sections its own page states and cites, and runs in your browser.

01Work & wages47 tools
02Family & divorce51 tools
03Wills, probate & power of attorney37 tools
04Police & criminal39 tools
05Money & debt34 tools
06Lawsuits & small claims101 tools
07Government benefits40 tools
08Immigration14 tools
09Housing & renting19 tools
10Consumer rights20 tools
11Federal court cases10 tools
12Real estate & land12 tools
13Get legal help5 tools

Your state's rules

Pick your state to see every guide with a rule, a table row or a calculator for it.

ALAlabama42 guides
AKAlaska42 guides
AZArizona47 guides
ARArkansas42 guides
CACalifornia95 guides
COColorado44 guides
CTConnecticut45 guides
DEDelaware43 guides
FLFlorida89 guides
GAGeorgia50 guides
HIHawaii43 guides
IDIdaho42 guides
ILIllinois55 guides
INIndiana42 guides
IAIowa44 guides
KSKansas43 guides
KYKentucky42 guides
LALouisiana44 guides
MEMaine43 guides
MDMaryland49 guides
MAMassachusetts43 guides
MIMichigan51 guides
MNMinnesota45 guides
MSMississippi42 guides
MOMissouri44 guides
MTMontana43 guides
NENebraska42 guides
NVNevada43 guides
NHNew Hampshire43 guides
NJNew Jersey47 guides
NMNew Mexico43 guides
NYNew York93 guides
NCNorth Carolina50 guides
NDNorth Dakota42 guides
OHOhio52 guides
OKOklahoma42 guides
OROregon44 guides
PAPennsylvania55 guides
RIRhode Island42 guides
SCSouth Carolina44 guides
SDSouth Dakota42 guides
TNTennessee44 guides
TXTexas91 guides
UTUtah43 guides
VTVermont43 guides
VAVirginia46 guides
WAWashington48 guides
WVWest Virginia43 guides
WIWisconsin44 guides
WYWyoming42 guides
DCDistrict of Columbia42 guides

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