Staff at public libraries may, on occasion, encounter patrons in need of legal information. Legal topics can range widely and the infrequency of these requests can make it difficult to keep up with resources.

The following list details topics frequently brought up at the reference desk of the Harris County Hainsworth Law Library, along with reliable resources for information. In all situations, patrons should consult or get the advice of a trusted attorney.

Name Change of an Adult

I Want to Change My Name – Legal name changes in Texas require parties to file a petition requesting the name change. Determining eligibility is an important first step before filling out forms. In addition, always stress to your patrons the importance of reading the instructions accompanying the forms.

Requirements for Changing Vital Records – A spelling mistake may be corrected without going to court. Contact the Texas Vital Statistics Unit for more information.

Powers of Attorney

Powers of Attorney: Information and answers - TexasLawHelp has a lot of useful information about the different types of powers of attorney to help patrons choose the one that would best fit their needs. Readers can learn about the legal requirements for executing a power of attorney, some advantages to a power of attorney, and how to revoke a power of attorney.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Users can access forms and information for a statutory durable power of attorney and advance medical directives, including Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates Form, Medical Power of Attorney Form, and Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Form. These forms are available in both English and Spanish.

Protective & Restraining Orders

Domestic Violence: Relevant even if nonphysical or unreported – Often used interchangeably, the terms “restraining order” and “protective order” have major legal differences. Take a look at the numerous articles on TexasLawHelp that highlight the purpose of these types of orders.

I Need a Protective Order – This webpage (or toolkit) answers common questions about protective orders and provides forms with instructions.

More on Legal Research

**Upcoming live webinars that will help you gain an understanding of the law, government, and more.**

Researching Texas Governors at TSLAC - Date & Time: Friday, January 27, 2023 @ 3 PM C.T. Description: Learn about the records of Texas governors at TSLAC and how to find information on the governorship and past holders of that office. Discover research tips and tricks the fourth Friday of every other month. Expert staff present free 20-minute virtual webinars on a variety of research topics. Presented by: Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Orientation to Legal Research Webinar Series: U.S. Federal Statutes - Date & Time: Thursday, February 2, 2023 @ 1 PM E.T. (12 PM C.T.) Description: The Orientation to Legal Research Series of webinars are designed to give a basic introduction to legal sources and research techniques. This entry in the series provides an overview of U.S. statutory and legislative research, including information about how to find and use the U.S. Code, the U.S. Statutes at Large, and U.S. federal bills and resolutions. Presented by: Law Library of Congress.

Census Tools for the Grant Writing Trade - Date & Time: Thursday, February 16, 2023 @ 2 PM E.T. (1 PM C.T.) Description: Census Bureau data provides key indicators and data points for including in a grant proposal. This hands-on, step-by-step workshop will help you successfully navigate key data tools to capture the information you need to support your grant writing. You will be guided through these tools: Census Resilience Estimates; My Community Explorer; and On the Map. Presented by: United States Census Bureau.