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Print Research Materials

Understanding the law is essential to competently representing oneself in court. Typically, attorneys would turn to treatises, works written by legal experts that provide an in-depth analysis of a particular area of law. These sources, though well-researched and comprehensive, may be too complex and advanced for a member of the public. For this reason, it is important to make certain that the library contains a good collection of research materials that are written with the non-attorney in mind. These books explain an area of law in simple and easy-to-understand terms. Many of the books, though, are not state-specific, but they do provide a good overview of the law.

Nolo

  • Everybody’s Guide to Small Claims Court

    How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim

    Law Forms for Personal Use

    Nolo’s Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting and Keeping Your Benefits

    Patent, Copyright & Trademark: An Intellectual Property Desk Reference

    Patent It Yourself: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Filing at the U.S. Patent Office

    Represent Yourself in Court: Prepare & Try Winning a Civil Case

    Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions

    U.S. Immigration Made Easy

  • Bankruptcy/Consumer Issues

    Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property and Repay Debts Over Time

    Credit Repair: Make a Plan, Improve Your Credit, Avoid Scams

    How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

    The New Bankruptcy: Will It Work for You?

    Stand Up to the IRS

  • Contracts: The Essential Business Desk Reference

    Incorporate Your Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Forming a Corporation in Any State

    Legal Forms for Starting and Running a Small Business

    The Small Business Start-Up Kit

    Starting & Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide

    Working For Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Gig Workers of All Types

  • Beat You Ticket: Go to Court & Win

    Criminal Law: A Desk Reference

    Criminal Law Handbook: Know Your Rights, Survive the System

  • Dealing with Problem Employees

    Employer’s Legal Handbook

    Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Gig Workers of All Types

    Your Rights in the Workplace: An Employee’s Guide to Fair Treatment

  • A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples

    Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships & Civil Unions

    Nolo’s Essential Guide to Divorce

  • Every Landlord’s Legal Guide

    Every Tenant’s Legal Guide

    The Foreclosure Survival Guide: Learn How to Navigate Foreclosure & Potentially Stay in Your Home

    Lease and Rental Agreements

    Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries & Noise

  • Estate Planning Basics

    Long-Term Care: How to Plan and Pay for It

    Make Your Own Living Trust

    Plan Your Estate

    The Quick & Legal Will Book

    Special Needs Trusts: Protect Your Child’s Financial Future

 

Nutshell Series (West Academic):

  • Legal Citation in a Nutshell

  • Legal Drafting in a Nutshell

  • Legal Malpractice Law in a Nutshell

  • Legal Research in a Nutshell

  • Mental Health Law in a Nutshell

  • Payments Law in a Nutshell

  • Public Health Law in a Nutshell

  • Section 1983 Litigation in a Nutshell

  • Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and the Law in a Nutshell

  • Children and the Law in a Nutshell

  • Construction Law in a Nutshell

  • Consumer Protection Law in a Nutshell

  • Elder Law in a Nutshell

  • Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence in a Nutshell

  • Family Law in a Nutshell

  • Federal Courts in a Nutshell

National Consumer Law Center:

  • Credit Discrimination

  • Fair Credit Reporting

  • Fair Debt Collection

  • Federal Deception Law

  • Home Foreclosures

  • Mortgage Lending

  • Mortgage Servicing and Loan Modifications

  • Repossessions

  • Student Loan Law

  • Truth in Lending

  • Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices

  • Access to Utility Service

  • Automobile Fraud

  • Collection Actions

  • Consumer Arbitration Agreements

  • Consumer Banking and Payments Law

  • Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice

  • Consumer Class Actions

  • Consumer Credit Regulation

  • Consumer Warranty Law

  • The Cost of Credit

Other independent publishers:

  • Know Your Rights! Answers to Texans’ Everyday Legal Questions (Lone Star Books)

  • Landlords’ and Tenants’ Guide (Real Estate Center, Texas A&M)