This research guide links you to resources where you may find commonly used legal forms for free. These are usually created by legal aid organizations, nonprofit groups, or may be offered by county or district clerks' offices. You will not always find a downloadable, fill-in-the-blank form for your situation. If you cannot find a form online, you may need to look at legal practice guides either at a law library in person or via our Digital Collection. If you still cannot find a form, one may not exist and you or your attorney may need to create a custom form.
The library cannot advise you on how to use a form or whether a form is appropriate for your situation. An attorney or a legal aid organization could advise you on how to use a form, what to include, or help you determine which form is appropriate.
The state publishes very few legal forms for use in legal proceedings. Because each lawsuit is different, it is difficult to create standard fill-in-the-blank forms. Instead, many private publishers create drafting guides or templates that are commonly referred to as "legal forms." Depending on the specifics of your situation, a drafting guide may need to be customized for your specific set of facts.
The library can help you determine if a form by a specific name is located online or in a library resource. We may also point you to library resources or other websites that discuss a specific legal topic and may contain drafting guides or templates. We cannot help you determine what form you need or assist you in filling out a form. We cannot tell you if a form is appropriate for your situation.
If you need information on Texas wills and estate laws and resources that help explain the law, please see our Wills and Directives research guide.
