Standard forms are helpful practice aids for
lawyers and effective training tools for law students. Some jurisdictions
require use of official forms in certain circumstances. Most forms, however,
are mere guidelines. Proper use requires legal expertise. Local laws vary.
The careful drafter must choose the right form, verify its accuracy and
completeness, update it for changes in the law, and tailor it to a particular
case or jurisdiction. Never use forms blindly. The importance of applying
independent legal judgement cannot be overemphasized.
Perhaps the best tool for finding form books in Cumberland’s
Law Library is the online catalog. To retrieve general form books, try
a call number search for form book or a subject search for forms
law. For focused resources, use more specific categories. For example,
a quick subject search for instructions to juries yields a list
of sources for pattern jury instructions. Experiment with keyword searches
combining terms like forms, drafting, structuring, pattern, checklists,
or clauses with appropriate subject indicators such as wills,
bankruptcy, contracts, or other descriptors. To find books with companion
computer disks, add the term disk or disks to your search
query. In turn, combining search queries with geographic names retrieves
state-specific form books, for example forms Georgia or forms
Alabama.
Publishers compile model forms in many formats. Some
form books focus on specific jurisdictions or subjects. Others are encyclopedic
collections covering a broad range of topics. Treatises may include forms
along with analysis of the law. In Cumberland’s Law Library, the following
selected resources may be good starting points for drafting legal documents
or pleadings. Books in the Practice Section, Reference, or Reserve are
all found on the library’s first floor. Treatises are on the second floor
shelved by call number. Tax materials are on the lower level in call number
order. Looseleafs are on the lower level, shelved alphabetically by publisher,
then by title. |
American Jurisprudence Pleading and Practice Forms Annotated
[Practice Section]
This multi-volume set compiles litigation
forms like complaints or motions for use in both federal and state judicial
and administrative proceedings. |
American Jurisprudence Legal Forms 2d. [Practice Section]
This set is helpful for preparing transactional
documents like contracts or deeds. Accompanying checklists, drafting guides,
annotations, and tax notes are particularly noteworthy. |
Federal Procedural Forms, Lawyers Edition [Practice
Section]
Keyed to federal practice, these forms
cover civil, criminal, and administrative matters. |
West’s Legal Forms [Practice
Section]
Arranged by substantive area, these forms
cover both transactional and litigation-oriented matters. |
West’s Federal Forms [Practice Section]
These forms are geared to practice before
federal courts including the U.S. Supreme Court, courts of appeals, district
courts, bankruptcy, and admiralty courts. |
Current Legal Forms: With Tax Analysis [KF170.R3 - Treatises]
A comprehensive transactional guide edited
by Rabkin and Johnson, this 33-volume set covers a broad range of business
topics. |
| Bender’s Forms of Discovery [KF8900.A3
B4 - Treatises] |
| Danner, Pattern Discovery:Employment Discrimination,
2d ed. [KF8900.D32 1993 - Treatises] |
| Danner, Pattern Discovery: Motor Vehicles, 3d ed.
[KF8900.D317 1994 - Treatises] |
| Danner, Medical Malpractice: Checklists and Discovery
[KF8900.D327 1994 - Treatises] |
| Danner, Pattern Discovery: Tort Actions, 3d ed.
[KF8900.D333 1994 - Treatises] |
| Danner, Pattern Discovery: Products Liability, 3d
ed. [KF8900.D328 1995 - Treatises] |
| Alces, Uniform Commercial Code Transactions Guide: Analysis
and Forms [KF890.U53 - Treatises] |
| Betsos, Modern UCC Litigation Forms
[KF886.B35 - Treatises] |
| Hart, Forms and Procedures Under the Uniform Commercial
Code [KF890.H35 - Treatises] |
| Nelson, Uniform Commercial Code Legal Forms, 3d
ed. [KF886.N45 1994 - Treatises] |
| Nelson, Uniform Commercial Code Pleading and Practice
Forms, 3d ed. [KF8836.N45 1994 - Treatises] |
Howell, Alabama Civil Practice Forms, 3d ed.
[KFA530.A65 H6 1997 - Reserve]
This two-volume set covers both litigation
and transactional matters. Coverage includes general pleadings, probate,
domestic relations, execution, levy, garnishment, business organizations,
real estate, wills, trusts, damages, law office administration, judgments,
orders, motions, and discovery. |
McCurley, Alabama Law Office Practice Deskbook,
9th ed. [KFA77.M3 2000 - Reserve]
Sample forms cover a wide range of topics
like attorney-client relationships, criminal law, UCC, collections, detinue,
garnishment, real estate, family law, business organizations, administration
of estates, probate of wills, and bankruptcy. |
Southeast Transaction Guide: Florida, Georgia, Alabama
[KF1410.S6 - Reference]
Analysis of the law is enhanced with forms
covering business organizations, estate planning, wills, trusts, business
transactions, real estate, sales, financing, conveyances, construction,
leasing, personal transactions, adoption, marital agreements, and other
topics. For a quick guide, see Index topic "Forms." |
| Hoffman, Alabama Civil Procedure , 2d ed. rev.
[KFA530.H65 2001 - Reference] |
| Hood, Alabama Pleading, Practice and Legal Forms: Rules of Civil Procedure,
3d ed. [KFA50.A65 H64 2003 - Reserve] |
| Lyons, Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure Annotated,
3d ed. at Volume 2, Appendix I [KFA529.A315 L9 1996 - Reserve and Reference] |
| Smith, Alabama and Federal Complaint Forms
[KFA533.A65 S64 - Reserve] |
| Smith, Alabama and Federal Motion Forms
[KFA535.A65 S4 - Reserve] |
| Smith, Alabama and Federal Order and Judgment Forms
[KFA544.A65 S4 - Reserve] |
| Smith, Alabama and Federal Plaintiff Discovery Forms
[KFA537.A65 S4 - Reserve] |
| Smith, Forms Under Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure
[KFA530.A65 S6 - Reference] |