In its newest Citizens Legal Manual, Do-it-Yourself: HALT's Guide to Self-Help Books, Kits & Software, HALT evaluates the most popular do-it-yourself law books, kits and software programs on the market today. Legal Encyclopedias, which cover a variety of topics, and specialized products, which cover estate planning, tax preparation, bankruptcy, property law and business are included. Do-it-Yourself Law ends with an extensive annotated bibliography that includes additional self-help products such as creditor and debtor's rights, incorporating a business and filing a patent, trademark or copyright. There's also a contact list for self-help publishers.
Doing your own legal work can save you a lot of time and money. Or it can lead you into a heap of trouble. How it will turn out for you will depend greatly on the quality of the do-it-yourself legal product you're using. Learn which products offer the most up-to-date information, which are the most comprehensive, and which are the easiest to use and why. Also learn which products to avoid.
James C. Turner is Executive Director of HALT. Mr. Turner received his J.D. in 1979 from The Catholic University of America. Theresa Meehan Rudy is HALT's Program Director. She received her B.A. in Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Edward J. Tannouse received his J.D. in 1996 from Syracuse University College of Law and worked as Associate Counsel for HALT.