Legal Guides
In-depth, practical guides covering state statutes, court procedures, and practice-area primers. Each guide is reviewed for legal accuracy before publication.
State-specific guides
Procedural guides covering state-specific statutes, deadlines, and case law for American residents. Grouped by state and practice area.
Illinois · Family Law
See all →Colorado · Family Law
See all →Colorado · Immigration
See all →Georgia · Immigration
See all →North Carolina · Family Law
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North Carolina's One-Year Separation Requirement for Divorce (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6)
North Carolina requires couples to live separate and apart for a full year before divorce. What "separation" actually means, what counts as living apart, and the limited exceptions.
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North Carolina Alienation of Affection: Suing the "Homewrecker" Who Broke Up Your Marriage
North Carolina is one of the last U.S. states allowing alienation of affection lawsuits. What you have to prove, what damages you can recover, and the pending SB 626 reform that would abolish the tort.
Arizona · Family Law
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Arizona Resolution Management Conference: What to Expect at Your First Family Court Hearing
Your Arizona Resolution Management Conference (RMC) is the gateway hearing of every contested divorce. What happens, how to prepare, and the orders the judge can enter.
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How to Serve Divorce Papers in Arizona: Methods, Costs, and What Happens If Your Spouse Won't Accept Service
Step-by-step guide to legally serving Arizona divorce papers. Process server vs. sheriff vs. service by publication, costs, time limits, and what to do if your spouse is dodging service.
Arizona · Personal Injury
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Arizona Medical Liens: What Hospitals and AHCCCS Can Take From Your Settlement
Five kinds of liens can hit your Arizona personal injury settlement. Which are legal, which aren't (balance billing on AHCCCS recipients), and how to negotiate them down.
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Arizona Dram Shop Law: Suing Bars and Restaurants for Drunk-Driving Injuries (A.R.S. § 4-311)
Arizona law lets you sue licensed alcohol sellers when over-serving a visibly intoxicated person causes injury or death. When the statute applies, what you have to prove, and the 2-year deadline.
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Arizona Slip and Fall Law: Premises Liability, the Open & Obvious Doctrine, and What You Have to Prove
When you can sue a property owner in Arizona for slip and fall injuries, the open-and-obvious defense, the special-aspects exception, and the 2-year deadline.
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Arizona's Expert Affidavit Requirement for Medical Malpractice (A.R.S. § 12-2603)
Before suing a doctor in Arizona, you need a preliminary expert affidavit. What it must say, who qualifies as an expert, when it's due, and why most cases get dismissed when this is missed.
Lawyer-authored guides
- Family Law
No-Fault Divorce in the United States: How It Works and Where It Doesn't
Every US state offers no-fault divorce in 2026, but the residency requirements, waiting periods, and how fault still shapes alimony and custody vary widely. A plain-language overview of how the process works and where it gets complicated.
- Immigration
The Marriage-Based Green Card Process: What to Expect From Filing to Approval
A US immigration attorney walks through the marriage-based green card process step by step — from filing the I-130 petition to the green card interview, including realistic timelines and the most common pitfalls that delay approval.
By Aldru Todd Aaron
- Family Law
Understanding the California Divorce Process: A Lawyer's Walk-Through
A California family law attorney walks through the divorce process: residency, the six-month wait, property division, and what to expect if your case is contested.
By Jennifer Park
- Personal Injury
How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer (and What to Ask Before Hiring)
A practical guide to finding the right personal injury lawyer for your case — what credentials matter, what fees to expect, and the ten questions to ask in your free consultation.
- Personal Injury
What Is a Contingency Fee, and Should I Pay One?
How contingency fees work in personal injury and other plaintiff-side cases — typical percentages, what's negotiable, and when a contingency fee is and isn't a good deal.