Autor: Matthew Madden

Some people learn the law from law school, others from necessity. I never attended law school, don“t have a legal degree and never even had a particular interest in the law …until I had no choice but to cobble together my own legal education. After my father“s death, I was involved in a lengthy and complex legal battle regarding his estate. Multiple lawyers, a wide variety of legal strategies, significant capital and a considerable commitment of my own time were required to reach a resolution. A fair monetary settlement, a more complete understanding of my father“s true intentions and insight into any actions undertaken to obstruct those intentions were the defining goals of the various legal approaches I pursued. The goals were clearly understood but the ways and means of achieving the goals were a mystery. This was my introduction to the world of civil litigation. I founded the Legal Literary Project to share the lessons learned and the perspective gained in my own experience navigating the civil legal system. Anyone new to the field of law is inherently operating without perfect or complete information despite the attempts of even the best and most communicative attorneys and experts. The complexity of the legal system, the money required to participate in the process and the myriad of confusing and seemingly contradictory legal options available combine to place the legal novice at a significant disadvantage. The goal of this effort is to provide a foundation for individuals who suddenly have an urgent need to understand the law. Written from the perspective of a client – rather than a lawyer – for current and future legal clients as well as individuals who“ve chosen to represent themselves, this series of books is designed to be a reference for individuals propelled into the world of litigation. It“s the information I wish I had when I started my legal education soon after my father“s death. Legal Literacy Project: The mission of the Legal Literacy Project is to increase access to the civil justice system and support civil justice reform efforts. The Legal Literary Project partners with legal aid service providers, justice reform advocacy groups and commercial legal service providers to address the justice gap via a combination of educational, advocacy and fund-raising efforts. The books available from the Legal Literacy Project include the following:Civil Law and the Civil Justice Process: A Client“s Guide Civil Law and the Civil Justice Process: A Guide to Self-Representation The next title in the Legal Literacy Project series of books is the following: Financial Exploitation of the Elderly: A Family“s Guide to the Nation“s Most Shameful Crime (Coming Soon!)