Nolo review
Updated October 12, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
For people handling everyday legal tasks on their own, Nolo is a legal self help publisher with books, documents, software and articles. It suits readers who want plain English guidance plus an attorney directory for one on one help when needed.
Key facts
- Best for
- People solving everyday legal issues through self help
- Markets
- US
- Official website
- nolo.com
Pros and cons
Pros
- Extensive article library covering injury, family, employment, housing and more topics
- Plain English guidance created by experienced attorneys for non lawyers
- Catalog of do it yourself books, legal documents and software tools
- Attorney search for consultations and direct help in your area
Cons
- Do it yourself model centered on self prepared books, documents and software
- Coverage centered on United States law and everyday domestic legal matters
Who it suits
- People handling divorce, tenancy, employment or injury questions themselves
- Small business owners forming companies or handling claims
- Readers wanting plain language background before hiring counsel
Who should look elsewhere
- People wanting full representation handled entirely by counsel
- Readers seeking guidance outside United States law
The company behind it
Nolo began as Nolo Press in 1971, founded by Charles Sherman and Ralph Warner. Both had worked as legal aid lawyers in the San Francisco Bay area and wanted to help working people who could not afford lawyers. After established publishers rejected their manuscripts on divorce and tenants rights, they published the books themselves. By the early 1980s the company published across many areas of law, later adding software, a consumer legal website in 1994, and online document preparation.
Core features
The core of Nolo is a legal encyclopedia of articles written in plain English by legal experts. Around it sits a catalog of do it yourself books, legal documents and software covering wills, trusts, home buying and other routine needs. Coverage includes injury, criminal and traffic matters, debt, real estate, family, employment, immigration, landlords, tenants and small claims. A directory lets readers search for attorneys for consultations and one on one help.
Our full take
Nolo offers a legal encyclopedia, legal forms, law books and software.
How Nolo compares
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Frequently asked questions
What does Nolo offer?+
Nolo provides plain English legal articles plus do it yourself books, legal documents and software for everyday matters. Its catalog spans injury, criminal and traffic, money and property, family, employment and housing topics. Readers can also search for attorneys for consultations and direct help.
Which legal topics does Nolo cover?+
Nolo grew from books about divorce and tenants rights into coverage of many areas of law. Topics include accidents and injury, employment, divorce and family, immigration, landlords and tenants, small claims and business formation. The range focuses on problems that everyday people and small businesses often face.
Where and when did Nolo begin?+
Nolo was started by legal aid lawyers working with low income families in the San Francisco Bay area. Charles Sherman and Ralph Warner wrote books on divorce and tenants rights after established publishers rejected them. They published the books themselves, which created Nolo Press in 1971.
How do readers use Nolo?+
Readers can read the legal encyclopedia, browse do it yourself products and use online document preparation tools. Downloadable versions of books and software are also part of the catalog. A separate directory helps readers search for and connect with attorneys in their area.
Who is Nolo intended to help?+
Nolo suits people who want to understand a legal issue and handle routine steps themselves. It also suits readers who want background information before speaking with counsel. People who prefer full representation by counsel for every step may prefer another approach.
Sources
- nolo.com checked October 9, 2026
Backs: Description
Compiled from 1 source page, checked October 17, 2026. We did not open an account.
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