Reader's Digest Legal Problem Solver: A Quick-and-Easy Action Guide to the Law

Nearly seven hundred alphabetized and cross-referenced entries, complemented by true-to-life case histories, address common legal issues, such as buying a home, insurance, wills, auto accidents, and more. 25,000 first printing. $35,000 ad/promo.

Reader's Digest publications are popular and useful; this one is no exception. Most people become involved in legal situations at various points in their lives and need help in identifying which problems require a lawyer's services, comprehending the terminology involved, and communicating with professionals. This volume is not intended to serve as a substitute for a lawyer, but to create a better-informed client who knows when to hire a lawyer and how to select, utilize, and evaluate legal counsel.

Nearly 700 alphabetically arranged entries cover the legal issues that an average American is likely to encounter, both at home and at work. Included are home buying, estate planning, accidents (at work, in the home, in public places, on government property, and on public transportation), consumer rights, divorce, child custody, and home schooling, to name a few. One can learn how to spot counterfeit money, remove one's name from unwanted mailing lists, and discover how each state defines the rights of adoptees to obtain information about their birth parents.

Definitions utilize lay terms and are bolstered by easily understood examples. In addition, there are checklists, sample legal forms, and sidebars that clearly indicate steps to take with or without a lawyer in order to dispose of a legal problem. Cross-references and a comprehensive index lead readers to relevant information. While the information appears reliable, the credentials of the listed consultants and contributors are not provided.

Individuals and public libraries will find Legal Problem Solver a good place to begin research on a legal issue but will certainly want to supplement it with other sources, such as one or more law dictionaries and the numerous topic-specific law books for laypersons that are available.