50-State Surveys
One legal question, answered for every US state and DC in plain English. Each answer is checked against the current statute, quotes the exact law it comes from, and shows the date we last verified it.
Small Claims Court Dollar Limits by State
What is the maximum amount I can sue for in this state's small claims court, and what are the key procedural rules?
Rent Increase Notice Requirements by State
How much advance notice must your landlord give before raising your rent, and does your state cap how much the rent can go up?
Tenant Abandoned Property Notice, Storage, and Disposal Requirements by State
When a residential tenant leaves personal property behind after vacating or eviction, what notice and storage must the landlord provide, when may the property be sold or discarded, and who receives any sale proceeds?
LLC Membership-Interest Transfer and Member-Admission Requirements by State
When may an LLC member transfer an economic interest, and what else is required before the transferee becomes a member?
Irrevocable Trust Modification and Termination Requirements by State
When and how may an ordinary noncharitable irrevocable trust be modified or terminated early by consent, court order, nonjudicial agreement, changed circumstances, mistake, tax-objective order, or an uneconomic-trust procedure?
Foreign LLC Registration and Qualification Requirements by State
When must an out-of-state LLC register to transact business in this state, which statutory safe harbors apply, what application and home-state evidence are required, and what happens if it operates without registration?
Power of Attorney Requirements by State
What does it take to execute a valid durable (financial) power of attorney in each state?
Transfer-on-Death Deed Requirements by State
Does this state let you leave your home to someone with a transfer-on-death (beneficiary) deed, and what does it take to sign and record one validly?
Employee Personnel File Access Requirements by State
Can a current or former employee inspect or copy their personnel file, how quickly must the employer respond, and can the employee challenge inaccurate information?
LLC Amendment and Legal-Name-Change Filing Requirements by State
When must or may an ordinary domestic LLC amend or restate its public formation record, what approval, contents, signer, fee, and effective-time rules apply to a legal-name change or other amendment, and when is a correction, change statement, periodic report, or assumed-name filing the proper route instead?
Mechanic's Lien Deadlines & Notice Requirements by State
How long does a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier have to file a mechanic's lien, and what notices does the law require along the way?
Direct Deposit and Payroll Card Requirements by State
May an employer require direct deposit or a payroll card, what consent or notice is required, and what fee-free access or alternative payment must the employee receive?
Annual Trust Accounting Requirements by State
When must a trustee provide an annual, final, or change-of-trustee accounting, which trusts and beneficiaries are covered, what information and values must the report contain, how is it delivered or filed, and how may the duty be waived, enforced, settled, or used to limit later claims?
Self-Proving Affidavit for Wills Requirements by State
Can a will be made self-proving in this state — who must sign or swear, before which officer, when may it be done, how must the affidavit be attached, and what does it actually prove in probate?
Bereavement Leave Requirements by State
Must an employer provide bereavement leave, how much time is available, is it paid, and what notice or documentation may be required?
Assumed-Name (DBA) Registration Requirements by State
If you do business under a name other than your legal name, must you register that name in this state, where do you file, and what publication, fee, term, and renewal rules apply?
Small Estate Affidavit Thresholds & Procedure by State
How small does an estate have to be to skip formal probate, and how do you claim the assets?
Meal and Rest Break Requirements by State
Does this state require your employer to give you a meal break or a paid rest break during the workday, and how long must the break be?
Homestead Exemption Amounts by State
How much of my home's equity is protected from a money judgment in this state, and what do I have to do to protect it?
Certification of Trust Requirements by State
When a trustee gives a third party a certification of trust instead of the full trust instrument, what information must the certification contain, who must sign or authenticate it, what acknowledgment or recording rules apply, and what may the recipient demand and rely on?
Personal Property Memorandum Requirements by State
May a will use a separate writing or list to distribute tangible personal property, what property may it cover, what reference, signature, handwriting, dating, and identification rules apply, and how may the writing be changed or used in probate?
Corporation Reinstatement and Revival Requirements by State
After a domestic business corporation is administratively dissolved, forfeited, or made void, when and how may it be reinstated or revived, what arrears and corrections are required, who must authorize or sign, and what legal effect does reinstatement have?
Employee Wage Deduction Requirements by State
When may an employer deduct money from an employee's wages, what authorization or notice is required, and what deductions are prohibited?
Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant Title-Clearance Requirements by State
After a joint tenant or tenancy-by-the-entirety owner dies, what instrument and death evidence may or must be recorded to update the public real-property record, who may sign it, what must it contain, and what legal effect does recording have?
LLC Annual and Biennial Report Requirements by State
Must a limited liability company file a periodic state report, when is it due, what does it cost, and what happens if the report is late?
Employee Expense Reimbursement Requirements by State
Must an employer reimburse an employee for necessary work-related expenses, what request or documentation may be required, and what remedies apply?
Anti-SLAPP Laws by State
Does this state have an anti-SLAPP law, and how does its special motion to strike or dismiss a meritless lawsuit against protected speech work?
Letters of Administration Appointment Requirements by State
When a person dies without an effective executor, who has priority to obtain letters of administration, what petition, qualification, consent, bond, notice, and hearing rules apply, and when may the court appoint someone else?
Mechanic's Lien Waiver Form and Advance-Waiver Rules by State
Does state law prohibit waiving mechanic's-lien rights before work or payment, and must conditional or unconditional progress or final waivers use a statutory form?
Private-Party Vehicle Title Transfer Requirements by State
What paperwork and signatures do a private seller and buyer need to transfer title to an ordinary used passenger vehicle, and what filing deadlines, seller notices, taxes, inspections, and late-transfer consequences apply?
Corporation Voluntary Dissolution and Closure Requirements by State
How may an ordinary domestic business corporation voluntarily dissolve, what board, shareholder, notice, filing, winding-up, claim, revocation, tax-clearance, and termination rules apply, and what simpler route exists before shares or business activity begin?
LLC Operating Agreement Requirements by State
Does a domestic LLC need an operating agreement, what form and timing rules apply, and which default or mandatory rules control its internal governance?
Pay Stub Requirements by State
Must an employer give an employee a pay stub, what must it show, may it be electronic, and what remedies apply if it is missing or wrong?
Probate Family Allowance Requirements by State
What temporary family or maintenance allowance may a surviving spouse, minor child, or dependent claim during estate administration, who qualifies, how much and for how long, how is it requested and paid, and can it be waived or terminated?
Corporation Registered-Agent Change and Resignation Requirements by State
How may an ordinary domestic private business corporation change its registered agent or registered office, how may the agent change its information or resign, and what eligibility, consent, authorization, statement, filing, notice, effective-date, service, and default consequences apply?
LLC Registered-Agent and Registered-Office Requirements by State
Who may serve as a domestic LLC's registered or statutory agent, what office, address, consent, and availability rules apply, and how are appointment, change, resignation, service, and loss of coverage handled?
Living Will and Advance Health-Care Instruction Requirements by State
How may an adult state binding future treatment instructions in this state, what execution formalities apply, when do the instructions control, what treatment and pregnancy limits apply, and how may they be revoked?
Security Deposit Return Deadlines & Deductions by State
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit, and what can they deduct?
Corporate Shareholder Meeting, Proxy, and Written-Consent Requirements by State
How may an ordinary domestic private business corporation call and conduct an annual or special shareholder meeting, use proxies or written consent, and satisfy notice, record-date, remote-participation, list, quorum, voting, adjournment, and post-consent notice rules?
Prejudgment Interest Rules by State
Does this state award prejudgment interest on a civil judgment, at what rate, and from what date does it start running?
Final Paycheck Deadlines by State
How soon must an employer pay a departing employee's final wages, and what happens if the paycheck is late?
Estate Inventory and Appraisement Requirements by State
When must a personal representative prepare, file, or deliver an estate inventory, what property and values must it include, when is an independent appraisal required, who receives it, and how are omissions or valuation errors corrected?
Eviction Notice Requirements by State
How much written notice must a landlord give before evicting you — for unpaid rent, a lease violation, or ending a month-to-month tenancy — and can you fix the problem to stop it?
Adult Legal Name Change Requirements by State
How does an adult legally change their name in this state: which court, what must the petition contain, and what publication, background-check, hearing, fee, and safety-confidentiality rules apply?
Spousal Elective Share Requirements by State
What elective share can a surviving spouse claim in this state, what property is counted, when and how must the election be made, and can the right be waived?
Month-to-Month Tenancy Termination Notice Requirements by State
How much notice must a landlord or tenant give to end a month-to-month residential tenancy, when does the termination take effect, and how must the notice be delivered?
Paid Sick Leave Requirements by State
How much paid sick or earned paid leave must a private employer provide, how does it accrue and carry over, and when may an employee use it?
Lactation Break and Space Requirements by State
Must an employer provide break time and a private space to express milk, must the time be paid, and what request, equipment, policy, or remedy rules apply?
Late Rent Fee Limits by State
Can your landlord charge a late fee when rent is overdue, how much can it be, and how many days' grace must pass before it applies?
Business Corporation Formation Filing Requirements by State
What must an ordinary domestic for-profit corporation file to form in this state, who may sign, what public information and share terms are required, when does the corporation legally exist, and what immediate organizational or follow-up filing is required?
Rental Application and Tenant-Screening Fee Requirements by State
What may a residential landlord charge an applicant for an application, credit check, background check, or tenant-screening report, and what disclosures, receipts, refunds, report copies, and reusable-report rules apply?
Corporate Bylaws Adoption and Amendment Requirements by State
Must an ordinary domestic private business corporation adopt bylaws, who may adopt, amend, repeal, or reserve them, what limits apply, and must the bylaws be signed, filed, retained, or supplied for inspection?
Prenuptial Agreement Requirements by State
What does this state require to make a prenuptial agreement valid and enforceable, and what can the agreement not waive?
Revocable Trust Amendment Requirements by State
Who may amend or completely restate a revocable trust, what method, writing, signature, delivery, capacity, co-settlor, agent, guardian, or court-approval rules apply, and when may the trust's stated method be bypassed?
Call and Conversation Recording Consent Requirements by State
When may a participant record a private telephone call or in-person conversation under state law, whose consent is required, and what criminal or civil consequences can apply?
Will Execution Requirements by State
What does it take to sign a valid will in this state — how many witnesses, notarization, and does the state accept a handwritten will?
Wage Garnishment Limits by State
How much of an employee's paycheck can an ordinary judgment creditor garnish in this state, and what income is protected?
Corporate Board Meeting and Written-Consent Requirements by State
How may the board of an ordinary domestic private business corporation call and conduct a meeting or act without one, and what notice, waiver, remote-participation, quorum, vote, dissent, consent, committee, and record rules apply?
Revocable Living Trust Creation Requirements by State
What must a competent adult do to create a valid revocable living trust in each state, what property and beneficiaries are required, may the settlor serve as trustee or beneficiary, what signing formalities apply, and is registration or recording required?
Pay Frequency and Wage-Payment Lag Requirements by State
How often must an employer pay employees, and how long after a pay period may earned wages be delayed?
Health Care Power of Attorney Requirements by State
What does it take to execute a valid health care power of attorney (health care agent designation) in each state?
Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Petition Requirements by State
What must a petition for adult guardianship or conservatorship allege, what proof and evaluations are required, and what rights and less restrictive alternatives must the court address before appointment?
Domestic LLC Formation Filing Requirements by State
What must an ordinary domestic LLC file to be formed in this state, who may sign as organizer, what information must the formation record contain, when does the LLC legally exist, and what publication or immediate follow-up filing is required?
Corporation Charter Amendment and Legal-Name-Change Requirements by State
How may an ordinary domestic for-profit corporation amend its articles, charter, or certificate of formation, including a legal-name change, and what approval, notice, voting, filing, effective-time, restatement, correction, and follow-up rules apply?
Landlord Entry Notice Requirements by State
How much advance notice must a landlord give before entering your rental, and for what reasons?
New-Hire Wage Notice Requirements by State
Must a private employer give a new employee a written pay-rate or wage notice, what must it contain, and what notice, acknowledgment, language, and recordkeeping rules apply when the terms change?
Voluntary LLC Dissolution and Cancellation Requirements by State
How does a domestic LLC voluntarily end its existence in this state, and what approval, winding-up, creditor, tax-clearance, filing, fee, and effective-date rules apply?
Residential Lease Execution Formalities by State
When must an ordinary residential lease be written, whose signature is required, are witnesses or notarization required, may it be signed electronically, must the tenant receive a copy, and when does recording affect the lease?
Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State
How long does a creditor or debt collector have to sue over an unpaid debt in this state before the claim is time-barred, and what can restart or shorten that clock?
Living-Trust Trustee Deed Requirements by State
When may a trustee convey real property held in a living trust, what trust authority, cotrustee action, court approval, deed execution, capacity disclosure, certification, acknowledgment, recording, and purchaser-protection rules apply?
Petition to Probate a Will Requirements by State
Who may petition to admit a will to probate, what must the petition and filed will contain, what proof, notice, and hearing are required, and when may letters testamentary issue?
Adult Conviction Expungement and Record-Sealing Eligibility by State
Which adult convictions can be expunged, sealed, dismissed, or set aside, is relief automatic or petition-based, how long must a person wait, and what remains accessible afterward?
Deed Execution and Recording Formalities by State
What signatures, witnesses, acknowledgment, spousal joinder, and recording formalities apply to an ordinary deed conveying real property?
Will Revocation and Revival Requirements by State
How may a will or codicil be revoked in whole or in part, what intent and proof rules apply, what family-status events revoke provisions, and when can an earlier will or revoked provision be revived?
Probate Notice to Creditors and Claim Deadlines by State
After a decedent's estate is opened, who must publish or send creditor notice, what search is required, how and where must a creditor present a claim, what deadlines and outer bars apply, and what exceptions or late-claim routes remain?
Personal Representative Deed Requirements by State
When may an executor or administrator convey probate real property, when is a will power or court order required, what sale, confirmation, deed, and recording steps apply, and what protection does the purchaser receive?
Voting Leave Requirements by State
Must an employer give an employee time off to vote, how much of that time must be paid, and what notice may the employer require?
Inheritance Disclaimer and Renunciation Requirements by State
When an adult beneficiary wants to refuse all or part of an inheritance or other property interest passing at death, what must the state-law disclaimer contain, how must it be signed, delivered, filed, or recorded, what timing or acceptance events bar it, and how does the disclaimed interest pass?
Jury Duty Leave and Pay Requirements by State
Must an employer let an employee take time off for jury duty, must the time be paid, and may the employer require the employee to use PTO?
Judgment Lien Duration & Renewal Requirements by State
Once a creditor wins a money judgment in this state, how long does the judgment -- and any lien it creates on real property -- last, and how do you renew it before it expires?
Trustee Notice to Beneficiaries Requirements by State
After a trustee accepts office or learns that a trust has been created as irrevocable or has become irrevocable, who must receive notice, what starts the deadline, what must the notice say, how may it be delivered, and what exceptions or waiver rules apply?
These surveys are general legal information, not legal advice. Every state page cites the official statute text it was verified against and the verification date. Coverage grows continuously; a state missing from a survey simply hasn't been verified yet.