The official source states the claim
The recorded source directly supports the narrow statement displayed.
Every important rule should lead back to a source you can open.
The product prefers sources that control or administer the procedure. A citation supports a specific statement; it does not certify every possible exception or local practice.
Source record reviewed: 2026-11-03 · Page updated: 2026-11-03 · Not attorney-certified legal advice
SOURCE HIERARCHY
Preferred evidence, in order
- 01
Official forms and instructions
The current form and its official instructions are the primary source for the fields, declarations and document-specific procedure.
- 02
State statutes and court rules
Controlling text is used for residence, minimum periods, evidence and other legal requirements where it is accessible.
- 03
State judicial-branch self-help guidance
Official plain-language court pages connect the rule to practical steps and current forms.
- 04
Court and clerk local instructions
County or circuit materials are used for filing location, local forms, methods, fees and scheduling.
- 05
Professional or secondary explanation
Used only for context when primary sources are unavailable or incomplete, and never presented as controlling authority.
REVIEW LABELS
What our verification language means
The explanation combines source facts
A calculation or procedural summary is derived from cited materials and its assumptions must remain visible.
The user must verify locally
The state rule is not enough to determine courthouse, fee, local form, filing method or case-specific instruction.
Access or scope was incomplete
The page identifies where source access, local coverage or exception review was limited.
CONFLICTS & UPDATES
When sources disagree or change
The newer controlling source is preferred, but effective dates and transitional rules must be checked. A local instruction cannot silently replace a statewide legal requirement, and a statewide summary cannot answer every local filing question.
Material changes are reflected in the source record, interface copy, form mapping and tests as applicable. Dates are not changed merely to make a page appear fresh.