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Court Basics

Learn how to use a TexasLawHelp guide.
Last Legal Review on January 19, 2023 | Last Edited on December 22, 2025
Overview

Guide Overview

A TexasLawHelp.org toolkit can help you analyze your legal issue and decide how to move forward.

The information and forms in the guides are not a substitute for the advice and help of a lawyer. It’s a good idea to talk with a lawyer about your particular situation.

Research Tips

The legal system can be very complex. This guide can’t answer every question. Researching the laws and regulations governing this type of case is important. For more information on how to conduct this research, read Legal Research Basics.

If you need to dive deeper into your legal matter, you can go to a law library to conduct legal research. There is a directory of public local law libraries at Law Libraries in Texas. Browse the legal research guides from the Texas State Law Library, which serves the legal research needs of the Texas state government and Texas residents.

Examples of books and materials to look for at a law library:

  • O’Connor's Texas Family Law Handbook
  • Texas Family Law Practice Manual
  • Texas Family Code Annotated
  • Texas Jurisprudence

A law library may also have a subscription to an electronic legal research service such as Westlaw or LexisNexis.

Instructions & Forms

Click on each step below for guidance on how to make the most of a TexasLawHelp.org guide (also called a toolkit).

Start by thinking about your legal issue. Then, use a guide's contents to help you handle your legal issue.

Checklist Steps

☐ If you haven't already done so, write out exactly what happened in your situation.

☐ Make sure to include dates and notes about any proof you have.

☐ As you review the contents of the guide, keep your facts in mind.

Think carefully about the problem you are facing. Answer these questions to help you:

  • Who is the other person or side involved?
  • What happened that caused the problem?
  • If everything worked out the way you wanted, what would the result look like?
  • What result would you accept, even if it is not perfect?

Write down your problem in one short paragraph. Keep it simple and clear.

Tip: As you go through this guide, keep your problem in mind. You may find it helpful to write it on an index card and keep it with you while you read.

A good place to start is to review the "Common Questions" in the "Overview" tab of the guide.

The questions are bite-sized answers to specific questions you may have.

Also, go to the "Articles" tab in any guide. Articles are more comprehensive explanations of a specific legal subject. Study the articles.

Then, go to the "Instructions and Forms" tab. Review any forms that may be available. Forms are documents you may be able to use to go to court. Not every guide contains forms.

If the "Common Questions" and related articles and guides are not enough, check the "Overview" tab in the guide for research tips. These tips can give you helpful information and point you in the right direction if you need to do more legal research later.

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Also, watch any available videos to get easy-to-understand information presented to you in a different format.

If you need more help, use the Legal Help Directory to look for a lawyer, free legal aid program, or self-help center in your area. You can also use TexasLawHelp's Ask a Question feature.

Note: The information and forms in this toolkit are not a substitute for the advice and help of a lawyer. It’s a good idea to talk with a lawyer about your particular situation.

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