Plain-English law, sorted by what you’re dealing with.
Probate, divorce, bankruptcy, and the other big ones — written by humans, reviewed against current statutes, and paired with a calculator for anything that has a number.
9 practice areas, every state.
Start with the category that matches your situation. Each topic has a pillar guide, detailed articles, and a calculator if there’s a number to run.
Probate & Estate Administration
Family Law
Personal Injury
Bankruptcy & Debt
Criminal Law
Employment & Labor
Real Estate & Property
Benefits & Healthcare
Intestacy & Wills
Getting Started
First-week checklists, death certificates, and finding legal help.
Landlord & Tenant
For Attorneys & Firms
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From the editorial desk · June 2026
We update these guides whenever state statutes change or filing thresholds shift. Spot something out of date or wrong for your state? Tell us and we’ll revise it.
Three guides most people read first.
How Probate Costs Are Calculated: A State-by-State Breakdown
A $1M gross estate in California generates $23,000 in statutory attorney fees — and the same again for the executor. Here’s the math, state by state, with a calculator for every bracket.
How Child Support Is Calculated: A State-by-State Guide
Roughly 41 states use the income shares model. Texas uses flat percentages; New York layers rates on combined income. The model your state picked dictates the final number.
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Which Is Right for You?
Chapter 7 wipes debt in 4–6 months for about $2,000. Chapter 13 spreads repayment over 3–5 years and costs about $5,000 — but it’s the only way to stop a foreclosure.
Setup guides for firm websites.
Installation, lead capture, PDF branding, and workflow guides for firms using Made For Law calculators on their own sites.
Embed a calculator
Install the Made For Law script tag, authorize domains, and confirm the widget loads on a firm site.
WordPress setup
Add a calculator to a WordPress page with a Custom HTML block and verify the live embed.
Lead capture
Route calculator submissions into the portal so firms can review, export, and follow up.
PDF branding
Set firm identity, colors, disclaimers, and report presentation for downloadable estimates.
Zapier integration
Send new calculator leads into CRM, email, spreadsheet, and intake workflows.
If this is what just happened…
Curated sequences that walk you through the first steps, in order.
A parent just passed away.
You’re the executor, or about to be. Start here and work down the list in order.
- Getting death certificates
- How probate costs are calculated
- What executors can charge
- Small-estate affidavit eligibility
You’re filing for divorce.
Costs first, then child support, then the mechanics of how it gets split.
- How child support is calculated
- Alimony & spousal support basics
- Child support & custody time
- Modifying an existing support order
You can’t keep up with debt payments.
Know the options before filing, so you pick the right chapter the first time.
Editor’s picks.
Are Churches Tax-Exempt? 501(c)(3) Status for Religious Organizations
Churches don't have to apply for 501(c)(3) — they're auto-exempt under IRC §508(c)(1)(A). But the same rules on lobbying, political activity, and private inurement apply. Here's what qualifies, what revokes, and how to give to a religious 501(c)(3) in your will.
12 min read
Estate Planning for Japanese Cultural Property: Art, Antiques, Real Estate, and Heritage Under U.S. Law
Japanese-American families holding Edo-period antiques, post-war film copyrights, Hawaii or California real estate, and family koseki documents face four overlapping legal regimes. Here's how each one taxes — or restricts — what you can transfer.
13 min read
Do You Inherit Your Parents' Debts? A Plain-English Guide
The general rule — estates pay debts, not heirs. But community property, joint accounts, co-signed loans, and 29 filial responsibility statutes are the exceptions. Here's the map by state and debt type.
13 min read
Non-Resident Alien Estate Tax Exemption: The $60,000 Cliff Visa Holders and Foreign Investors Need to Know
Non-resident non-citizens get a $60,000 federal estate-tax exemption — not the $13.99M citizens get. Here's how IRC § 2102(b), the unified credit, and the gift/estate-tax interaction work when a foreign national dies holding U.S. assets.
10 min read
Legal Aid for Domestic Violence Survivors in Texas — Protective Orders, Free Hotlines, and Filing Pro Se
Texas survivors of domestic violence can get a free emergency protective order under CCP Article 17.292, a 2-year protective order under Family Code §85.022, and free legal help through TexasLawHelp.org and the Texas Advocacy Project hotline (1-800-374-HOPE).
11 min read
Faith-Based Estate Planning: A Family Guide Across Traditions
Mass intentions in a Catholic will. The Islamic wasiyya 1/3 rule. Jewish halakhic burial timing. Here's how religion changes the estate planning paperwork — and what civil courts will and won't enforce.
11 min readFree legal calculators
Every guide that has a number has a calculator.
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Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer