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Briefs — Legal Plain English

Law explained like a friend who passed the bar.

Dense statutes, filing deadlines, and courtroom procedure — translated into plain English you can follow with a cup of coffee and a highlighter.

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§01

Contracts

Lease addendums, independent contractor agreements, NDAs — understand what you're signing before you sign it. These walkthroughs cover every clause that trips people up.

Starter· Leases6 min read

What "indemnification" actually means in your lease

That one clause at the end of every lease that landlords hope you skip. Here's what it obligates you to pay for — and when you can push back.

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Intermediate· Leases9 min read

Drafting a lease addendum without a lawyer

You've agreed to allow a pet, a subletter, or early termination. Now you need it in writing. A step-by-step guide to addendums that actually hold up.

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Starter· Freelance7 min read

Freelance contract clauses you need before starting any project

Kill fees, IP ownership, revision limits — the five clauses that protect your time and your work. Copy-paste language included.

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Filing-Ready· Enforcement11 min read

How to enforce a contract when the other party doesn't pay

Demand letters, small claims court, and collections — the escalation ladder from a polite email to a judgment in your favor.

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§02

LLCs

Single-member LLCs, operating agreements, registered agents — forming a business entity doesn't require a $400 attorney consultation. Start here.

Starter· Formation8 min read

Forming a single-member LLC at midnight: a state-by-state guide

Most states let you file online in under 20 minutes. Here's exactly what information you need, what it costs, and what happens next.

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Starter· Operating Agreements6 min read

Why you need an operating agreement even if it's just you

Banks ask for it. Courts rely on it. And without one, your state's default rules govern your business — usually not in your favor.

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Intermediate· Taxes10 min read

LLC vs. S-Corp election: what changes at tax time

Self-employment tax, salary requirements, and the $50k income threshold where an S-Corp election starts making sense.

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Filing-Ready· Liability9 min read

Piercing the corporate veil — and how to prevent it

Commingling funds, skipping formalities, personal guarantees — the four mistakes that let creditors come after you personally.

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§03

Family Law

Custody modifications, parenting plans, child support calculations — navigating family court without spending your savings on a retainer.

Intermediate· Custody8 min read

Modifying a custody agreement: what the court actually looks for

"Substantial change in circumstances" — the three-word standard that decides whether your modification petition gets heard. Here's what qualifies.

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Filing-Ready· Parenting Plans12 min read

Writing a parenting plan that survives disagreements

Holiday schedules, school decisions, healthcare consent — the specific provisions that prevent future disputes before they start.

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Starter· Child Support7 min read

How child support is calculated in your state

Income shares model vs. percentage of income — which formula your state uses, and how to run the numbers yourself before your hearing.

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Filing-Ready· Custody14 min read

Filing a custody modification without an attorney

The exact forms, filing sequence, and service requirements for a pro se custody modification in most U.S. states.

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§04

Tenant Rights

Security deposits, habitability standards, illegal eviction tactics — what your landlord hopes you don't know, explained plainly.

Starter· Deposits7 min read

Security deposit deductions: what's legal, what's not

Normal wear and tear vs. actual damage — the line landlords routinely cross, and the demand letter that gets your money back.

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Starter· Habitability8 min read

The implied warranty of habitability in plain English

Heat, hot water, structural safety — what your landlord is legally required to maintain, and what to do when they don't.

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Intermediate· Eviction9 min read

Illegal eviction tactics — and how to respond to each

Lockouts, utility shutoffs, harassment, removing your belongings — the retaliatory moves that expose landlords to significant liability.

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Filing-Ready· Repairs11 min read

Withholding rent legally: repair-and-deduct and rent escrow

Two remedies that let tenants force repairs without simply stopping payment and hoping for the best. Procedure matters here.

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§05

Small Claims

Small claims court is designed for people without lawyers. Here's how to use it to collect what you're owed — from filing day to judgment day.

Starter· Filing5 min read

Small claims court limits by state — and what to do when you exceed them

Limits range from $2,500 to $25,000. If your claim is over the cap, here are your options — including strategic splitting and general district court.

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Intermediate· Evidence9 min read

Building your small claims case: evidence that actually wins

Texts, invoices, photos, witnesses — what judges in small claims court find persuasive, and how to organize it into a two-minute presentation.

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Filing-Ready· Enforcement10 min read

What happens after you win: collecting on a small claims judgment

Winning is step one. Collecting is step two — and it's often harder. Wage garnishment, bank levies, and liens explained.

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"The law is reason, free from passion." — Aristotle

Not legal advice · For informational purposes only

Contracts Checklist

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