Editorial Guidelines

At CourtWired, we aim to provide clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand information about small claims court and everyday legal processes. Legal systems can be complex, and our goal is to break that complexity down so that anyone can understand their options and responsibilities.

These editorial guidelines explain how we research, verify, and publish content to maintain high standards of accuracy and trust.

Our Editorial Mission

CourtWired exists to help people navigate small claims court and basic legal procedures with confidence. Every guide we publish adheres to three principles:

  1. Clarity – Legal concepts explained in plain English
  2. Accuracy – Information sourced from official, authoritative resources
  3. Practicality – Step-by-step guidance people can actually use

Our goal is not to offer legal advice, but to make the legal process easier to understand.

Accuracy & Sourcing Standards

Because legal rules vary by state and change frequently, accuracy is our highest priority. We rely on:

  • State court websites and official court guides
  • Government-issued forms and procedural instructions
  • Statutes, civil procedure rules, and local court rules
  • Verified government resources
  • Publicly available legal information from reputable institutions

We avoid:

  • Outdated legal information
  • Unverified claims
  • Personal opinions presented as fact
  • Anything that could be misinterpreted as legal advice

When court rules differ by state, we clearly specify the difference.

Research & Fact-Checking

Each CourtWired article goes through an internal review process to ensure:

  • Correct interpretation of state rules and procedures
  • Alignment with the latest filing requirements and fee schedules
  • Accurate definitions of legal terms
  • Step-by-step instructions that reflect real court procedures

If a topic involves state-specific requirements, we research and cite the correct state-level authority.

We never publish content based on guesswork or assumptions.

Safety, Clarity & Practicality

Legal topics can be confusing, so CourtWired content is always written to be:

  • Easy to follow – clear explanations, simple steps
  • Objective – no emotional or persuasive language
  • Practical – real instructions for filing, serving, preparing evidence, etc.
  • Safe – we avoid providing anything that could be misinterpreted as legal advice

We remind readers that small claims court procedures vary, and they should verify details with their local courthouse when necessary.

No Legal Advice

CourtWired provides general legal information, not legal advice.
We do not:

  • Interpret laws for individual situations
  • Recommend specific legal actions
  • Replace an attorney, mediator, or legal aid professional

Whenever needed, we remind users to contact an attorney or local legal aid if they need legal advice.

Updates & Ongoing Review

Legal rules and filing requirements change. To keep our content current:

  • Articles are reviewed and updated on a rolling basis
  • Fee changes, form updates, and procedural adjustments trigger immediate edits
  • Outdated sections are corrected as new rules are published

We always include the most up-to-date version of a process available.

Independence & Objectivity

CourtWired is an independent resource. We do not accept:

  • Payment for favorable coverage
  • Sponsored legal advice
  • Endorsements from law firms or attorneys

If an article contains affiliate links (e.g., to document or mailing services), they are clearly disclosed and never influence the content.

User Feedback & Corrections

We encourage users to contact us if they find outdated information or want clarification. When feedback is received:

  • We review the issue
  • Verify facts with official sources
  • Update the article promptly if needed

Accuracy is an ongoing commitment, and user feedback helps us maintain it.

Our Commitment

CourtWired is committed to providing legal information that is:

  • Accurate
  • Neutral
  • Clear
  • Useful
  • Updated regularly

Our goal is to make navigating small claims court less intimidating by presenting the facts in a way that anyone can understand.