Washington, DC -- Do-it-Yourself Law: HALT's Guide to Self-Help Books, Kits and Software, HALT's newest Citizens Legal Manual, was released today. This unique guide reviews the most popular self-help law products including books, kits and software, and identifies the best and worst in nine legal areas.

"The most useful and authoritative consumer guide to self-help legal resources" stated Consumer Federation of America Executive Director Stephen Brobeck. "Everyone who wants to file their own divorce or bankruptcy, plan their estate, or set up a business should consult this unique reference book."

"With legal self-help products under unprecedented attacks by lawyers defending their economic turf, HALT is committed to helping consumers find the best products on the market, and to defending Americans' rights to do their own legal work without always hiring a lawyer," stated HALT Executive Director James C. Turner. "Do-it-Yourself Law is designed to help ordinary Americans exercise informed choice in their buying decisions."

HALT staff, including Program Director Theresa Meehan Rudy and Associate Counsel Edward J. Tannouse, graded products in six categories: accuracy, comprehensiveness, plain language, easy to use, red flags and quality of legal forms, before assigning a final overall grade, ranging from "HALT Do-it-Yourself Best Buy" to "Not Recommended."

Founded in 1978, HALT-- An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform is the largest national consumer legal reform group in the United States with over 50,000 members. HALT pursues an aggressive education and advocacy program that challenges the legal establishment to improve access and to reduce costs in the civil justice system.

Do-it-Yourself Law: HALT's Guide to Self-Help Books, Kits and Software is 242 pages and sells for $13.95, which includes postage and handling. Send a check or money order to HALT at 1612 K ST NW, STE 510, WASHINGTON, DC 20006. To order by credit card, call toll free at 1-888-367-4258.

HALT Do-it-Yourself Best Buys 1999

Legal Encyclopedias 101 Law Forms for Personal Use by Robin Leonard & Ralph Warner Kiplinger's Home Legal Advisor '98 Deluxe Multimedia Edition, Block Financial Quicken Family Lawyer, Parsons Technology

Family Law Child Custody: Building Parenting Agreements that Work by Mimi E. Lyster Divorce Yourself: The National No-Fault Divorce Kit by Daniel Sitarz

Property Rights Every Tenant's Legal Guide by Janet Portman & Marcia Stewart Every Landlord's Legal Guide by Marcia Stewart, Ralph Warner & Janet Portman Leases & Rental Agreements by Marcia Stewart & Ralph Warner

Bankruptcy How to File for Bankruptcy by Stephen Elias, Albin Renauer & Robin Leonard

Wills WillMaker 6 / 7 by Barbara Kate Repa, Stephen Elias & Ralph Warner Nolo's Will Book by Denis Clifford

Taxes Turbo Tax Deluxe/MacInTax, Intuit

Trusts Living Trust Maker 2.0, Nolo Press

Powers of Attorneys and Living Wills The Financial Power of Attorney Workbook by Shae Irving

Small Business Small Business Legal Pro 3, Nolo Press Kiplinger's Small Business Attorney Multimedia Edition, Block Financial