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Plain-English guides to injuries, accidents, work, family and money problems, and to working with a lawyer without the guesswork.

38 articles

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Finding a Lawyer

Twelve Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Lawyer

A first conversation with an attorney is an interview, for both of you. Here are the questions that tell you the most in the least time.

6 min read

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All 38Personal Injury 7Car Accidents 8Work & Employment 6Family Law 6Debt, Benefits & Estate 6Finding a Lawyer 5
Smiling businessman with a beard and turban talks on phone outside on sunny dayFamily Law

Thinking About Divorce? Ten Things to Do Before You File

The weeks before filing shape everything that follows. Here's a practical preparation list, financial, legal and personal.6 min read
Side view of adult bearded mechanic in black workwear standing near car and fixing metal details while working on street near garagePersonal Injury

Slip and Fall: What to Do in the First 48 Hours

The evidence in a fall case disappears fast, the spill gets mopped, the camera footage gets overwritten. Here's how to protect yourself.6 min read
A woman in a brown coat making a phone call while sitting in a carCar Accidents

After a Car Accident: The Checklist Nobody Gives You at the Scene

From the first minute to the first week, what to do, what to keep, and what to avoid saying.6 min read
A couple consulting with a doctor in a medical office for a health check-upFinding a Lawyer

Contingency Fees, Explained in Plain English

"No fee unless we win" is common in injury cases. Here's what the phrase actually means, what it leaves out, and what to check in the agreement.6 min read
Medical professional in scrubs consulting with a patient while taking notesWork & Employment

Your Workers' Comp Claim Was Denied. Here's What Happens Next.

A denial is a starting point, not the end. Common reasons claims are denied, and the appeal path in most states.6 min read
A young couple reviewing real estate documentsDebt, Benefits & Estate

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13: Which Bankruptcy Fits Which Situation

The two consumer bankruptcy chapters solve different problems. Here's the difference in plain terms, and who qualifies for each.6 min read
A doctor attentively listens to a patient during a medical consultationFinding a Lawyer

What Actually Happens at a Free Consultation

Many attorneys offer a no-cost first meeting. Knowing how it usually runs takes the anxiety out of it, and helps you get more from the time.6 min read
Young nurse in blue scrubs smiling and holding a stethoscopePersonal Injury

Dog Bite Injuries: What Victims and Owners Should Know

Dog bite law differs sharply from state to state. Here's the landscape, what to do after a bite, and how homeowners insurance fits in.6 min read
Adoptive family discussing with a social worker indoorsFamily Law

Child Custody: What Judges Actually Weigh When Parents Can't Agree

"Best interests of the child" is the standard everywhere. Here's what it means in practice, and how to present yourself well.6 min read
A smiling mechanic in a blue overall inspecting a car engine in a garageCar Accidents

The Other Driver's Adjuster Called. Here's What They Want.

Adjusters are polite, professional and working for the other side. Understanding their job makes the conversation much easier.6 min read
People having a meeting at the officeWork & Employment

"Wrongful Termination" Doesn't Mean What Most People Think

Being fired unfairly and being fired illegally are different things. Here's the line, and the situations that cross it.6 min read
Bearded man in gray suit talking on the phone while seated in a modern officeFinding a Lawyer

How to Check a Lawyer's License and Discipline History in Five Minutes

Every state keeps a public record of who is licensed to practice law and who has been disciplined. Here's where to look and what the entries mean.5 min read
Female doctor in blue scrubs, smiling while holding a stethoscopeDebt, Benefits & Estate

Social Security Disability Denied? The Appeal Process, Step by Step

Most initial SSDI applications are denied. Most approvals come on appeal. Here's the sequence, the deadlines, and what improves your odds.6 min read
Cheerful female doctor writing in her notebook in black and white portraitPersonal Injury

Hurt by a Product? How Product Liability Claims Work

From exploding batteries to faulty car seats, product injury cases follow their own rules. Here are the three kinds of defect and what to keep.6 min read
Business professionals collaborating in an office settingCar Accidents

Hit by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver? Your Options

About one in seven drivers has no insurance. Here's where recovery comes from when the at-fault driver can't pay.6 min read
Professional man with glasses reviews documents at a desk in an office settingFamily Law

How Child Support Is Calculated, and What Can Change It

Every state uses a formula, but the inputs (income, parenting time, expenses) are where disputes happen.6 min read
Portrait of a confident middle-aged businesswoman in a modern office settingFinding a Lawyer

Five Situations Where You May Not Need a Lawyer, and Three Where You Definitely Do

Not every dispute calls for an attorney. Knowing the difference saves money and stress.6 min read
Smiling construction worker takes a breakWork & Employment

Unpaid Overtime and Wage Theft: What You're Owed and How to Get It

Off-the-clock work, misclassification and skipped breaks cost workers billions a year. Here's how the rules work.6 min read
Experienced doctor consulting a patient in a medical office settingPersonal Injury

Medical Malpractice: What Counts, What Doesn't, and Why the Bar Is High

A bad outcome is not the same as malpractice. Here's what has to be shown, why these cases are demanding, and the first steps if you suspect an error.6 min read
A couple discusses financial documents with their advisorDebt, Benefits & Estate

Will or Living Trust? What Each One Does and Who Needs Which

Most adults need at least a will. Whether you also need a trust depends on your assets, your state and your goals. Here's the difference.6 min read
Portrait of a confident businesswoman smilingFinding a Lawyer

How Long Does a Lawsuit Actually Take? A Realistic Timeline

Television resolves cases in an hour. Real ones take months or years. Here's the typical arc of a civil case and where the time goes.6 min read
Young businesswoman talking on phone in a luxury carCar Accidents

Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different From Car Accident Claims

Federal rules, multiple defendants, and evidence that vanishes quickly, commercial truck crashes have their own playbook.5 min read
Smiling male worker in construction helmet in studioWork & Employment

Harassment at Work: How to Document It So It Counts

Harassment claims live and die on records. Here's what to write down, how to report, and what protections apply once you do.6 min read
Chiropractor demonstrating spine anatomy to a patientCar Accidents

Whiplash and Soft-Tissue Injuries: Real, Common, and Routinely Disputed

Insurers treat soft-tissue claims with suspicion because they don't show on X-rays. Here's how to document one properly.6 min read
A female dentist examining a senior woman in a dental officePersonal Injury

How Injury Settlements Are Actually Calculated

There's no formula, but there is a method. Here's how attorneys and insurers think about the value of an injury claim.5 min read
Couple engaged in counseling session with therapistFamily Law

Prenuptial Agreements: Who Actually Needs One, and What Makes Them Enforceable

Prenups aren't just for the wealthy. Here's what they can and can't do, and the requirements courts look for.6 min read
A therapy session featuring a diverse group discussing issuesFamily Law

Mediation or Litigation? Choosing the Right Path for a Family Dispute

Most divorces and custody cases settle. The question is how much it costs (in money and goodwill) to get there.6 min read
Cheerful man applies plaster to a wall at a construction siteCar Accidents

Injured in a Rideshare? Which Insurance Applies Depends on the App

Rideshare coverage changes based on whether the driver was waiting, en route, or carrying a passenger. Here's how the layers work.6 min read
Two senior colleagues engaged in discussionDebt, Benefits & Estate

Debt Collectors Calling? What They Can't Do, and How to Make Them Stop

Federal law puts firm limits on collection practices. Knowing them changes the conversation.6 min read
Warehouse employee holding a clipboard, surrounded by packages and smilingWork & Employment

Called a Contractor, Treated Like an Employee? What Misclassification Costs You

The label on your paycheck doesn't decide your status, the working relationship does. Here's the test and what's at stake.6 min read
Two professionals engaged in a discussion in a bright modern officePersonal Injury

Nursing Home Neglect: Warning Signs and What Families Can Do

Neglect in long-term care is often quiet. Here's what to watch for during visits, how to document concerns, and where to report them.5 min read
Portrait of a confident businesswomanPersonal Injury

"Just a Quick Recorded Statement": Why Injury Attorneys Say Wait

A recorded statement feels like cooperation. It's evidence. Here's what insurers do with it and how to handle the request.5 min read
Smiling female construction worker in safety gear holding a shovel in CaragaCar Accidents

Motorcycle Crashes: Overcoming Bias, and What Your Helmet Choice Means for a Claim

Riders face skepticism from insurers and juries. Here's how to counter it and how helmet laws affect recovery.6 min read
Patient discussing dental issues at a modern clinic receptionDebt, Benefits & Estate

Wage Garnishment: How It Works and Four Ways to Stop It

A garnishment order can take a significant slice of every paycheck. Here's what the limits are and what you can do about it.6 min read
Two women in professional interview setting using a tabletWork & Employment

FMLA Leave: Your Rights, the Employer's Obligations, and the Mistakes That Cost People Their Jobs

Twelve weeks of job-protected leave sounds simple. The details (eligibility, notice, certification) are where things go wrong.6 min read
Distinguished mature businessmanDebt, Benefits & Estate

Power of Attorney: The Document Most Adults Don't Have Until It's Too Late

A power of attorney lets someone act for you if you can't. Without one, your family may need a court to step in.6 min read
Happy worker carrying bricks at a construction site with a smileFamily Law

Grandparents' Rights: When Can You Ask a Court for Time With a Grandchild?

Every state allows grandparents to petition for visitation in some circumstances. The circumstances (and the standard) vary a lot.6 min read
A woman in a pink top smiles confidentlyCar Accidents

Hit While Walking: Pedestrian Accident Claims and the Myths About Fault

Pedestrians don't always have the right of way, but drivers owe a high duty of care. Here's how fault is assessed and where compensation comes from.6 min read
Articles are general information written by our editorial team, not legal advice, and not a substitute for consulting an attorney about your situation. Laws vary by state and change over time.