The American Bar Association Family Legal Guide offers the most comprehensive, useful, and authoritative information available on how the law affects individuals at home, at work, and at play. This practical guide will help consumers steer clear of many legal pitfalls and will guide readers to a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities under the law.

The book has been prepared by many experts in a wide range of legal areas, under the careful direction of the American Bar Association, the nation's leading authority on legal matters. Using a straightforward question-and-answer format — along with numerous sidebars, charts and graphs — this volume is divided into specific subject areas for easy reference.

The first chapter, "When and How to Use a Lawyer," helps you determine when to contact a lawyer, how to find one — and which kind; it will explain the questions to ask and provides an understanding of fees and expenses. Also included are the alternatives to lawsuits and what you can do if a lawyer does not satisfy you. Next is a clear and thorough explanation of "How the Legal System Works." It clearly explains the different court systems and discusses juries, trials, verdicts, and post-trial procedures.

The rest of the book looks at how the law affects all of us in our everyday lives, focusing on our questions and concerns as we go about our daily affairs.