Form and Practice Materials

Basic legal transactions and court filings occur regularly and continuously.  Rather than originally drafting or creating documents, one can consult practice guides and sample/model form materials.  In addition, such guides and form materials often include helpful annotations to primary and secondary sources.  However, it is important to remember that some jurisdictions have prescribed official forms, and one should consult a jurisdiction's practice guides and forms before using general guides and forms.  As with all legal publications, be sure to check the date and recent supplements or pocket parts, as the law or court rules may have changed since publication.

This selective guide highlights form materials and resources in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Library, in the Library's subscription databases, and those available on the Internet.  Both freely accessible and commercial resources are included here.  Some of the links below lead to LexisNexis and Westlaw files, which require a password for access.  [If you connect to any of these files, be sure to log out of the system at the end of your research.]  Other links lead to records in SCHOLAR, the Cleveland State University electronic catalog. Use your browser's "Back" button to return to this form guide.  To locate additional forms in the Law Library's collection, conduct a keyword search in SCHOLAR using the word "forms" and the word(s) of a legal subject (eg, probate) or jurisdiction (eg, Ohio).  Please contact the Research Services librarians during their regularly scheduled hours hours, or via email to research.services@law.csuohio.edu for help in locating these or other resources to meet your needs. 

I. Practice Forms
    A. General Sets
    B. Ohio Practice Sets
    C. Federal Practice Sets
    D.  Specialty Sets

II. Transactional Forms
    A. General Sets
    B. Ohio Sets

III.  Specialty Sets by Area of Law

IV. Legal Forms on the World Wide Web

I.  PRACTICE FORMS

Designed for litigation procedures or other business before the courts and administrative agencies.  Often contain explanations and references to cases, statutory law,  law reviews and other practice aids.  Some sets deal with particular subjects or jurisdictions.  Sometimes the Ohio Revised Code contains form language as specified by a statute; check the index to the set. 

A.  GENERAL SETS 

American Jurisprudence Trials (West Group, 1964 - ) Reference KF 8915 .A74
Multi-volume set that includes model pleading, discovery and motion forms, sample opening and closing arguments, and sample litigation aids. Trial articles include techniques and strategies. Indexed and annually updated.
Westlaw > AMJUR-TRIALS

American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts, 3^rd  Series ( West Group, 1988 - ) Reference KF 8933.A43
Advises on how to prepare a case through discussions of the elements of proof, evidentiary and practice considerations. This multi-volume set has a 3 volume general index. Updated annually.
Westlaw > AMJUR-POF

American Jurisprudence Pleading and Practice Forms Annotated (West Group,  1967 - ) Reference KF 8836 .A45
Comprehensive collection of state and federal forms, checklists, and timetables for court cases. Includes statutory and procedural rules references, "how to" guidance, and commentary. This multi-volume set is updated annually and has indexes organized by topic and fact word.
Westlaw > AMJUR-PP

B.  OHIO PRACTICE SETS

Darling, Stanton G. II, Klein, James M., & Terez, Dennis G., Baldwin's Civil Practice (West  Group, 1997 - ) Reserve & Reference KFO 529 .A2
Three volume set provides rule by rule discussion of Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure. One volume contains forms covering civil litigation with cross references to related text. Has index, table of cases, and table of statutes and rules. Updated annually.
Westlaw > OHPRAC-CIV

Anderson's Ohio Civil Practice with Forms (Anderson's Ohio Civil Practice: Pleading, Procedure, Forms) (LexisNexis, 2005- ) Reference & OhioRoom KFO 530 .A82
Looseleaf set with forms, outlines, practice checklists, and index. Text includes applicability of rules, jurisdiction, venue, service, pleading, discovery, pretrial arbitration, post-judgment remedies, and appellate process. [This publication is gradually replacing Anderson's Ohio Civil Practice: Pleading, Procedure, Forms.]

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Forms & Drafting Instructions > Anderson's Ohio Civil Rules Practice with Forms

Milligan, William W, Ohio Forms of Pleading and Practice (Lexis Publishing (Matthew Bender), 1970 - ) Reserve & Reference KFO 535 .M5
Looseleaf set covering civil and criminal practice. Contains forms and annotations.  Separate index for civil and criminal volumes.  Covers Civil Rules, Appellate Procedure, Probate Practice, selected Special Proceedings, and Criminal and Juvenile Rules. Updated with supplements and revisions.
LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Forms & Drafting Instructions > Ohio Forms of Pleading and Practice

Cioffi, Michael L., Ohio Pretrial Litigation 2^nd ed. (Anderson Publishing Co., 1998 - ) Reference & OhioRoom KFO 537 .C56
Guide to handling a civil case prior to trial with the corresponding forms.  This one volume treatise includes an index and is updated irregularly.

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal > U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All OH Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Pretrial Litigation Practice Manual

Ohio Judicial Conference, Ohio Jury Instructions (Anderson Publishing Co., 1968 - )  Reference & OhioRoom KFO 542 .A65 O36
Volume1 - General Instructions  -  applicable in any civil jury trial
Volume 2 and 3 - Instructions arranged by specific topic.
Volume  4 Criminal Instructions
Updated as Jury Commission Amends.  Each volume has a general index.

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal > U.S. > Ohio > Find Jury Instructions > Ohio Jury Instructions, Combined

Wolff, William H. Jr., Brogan, James A., McSherry Shauna K.,  Appellate Practice and Procedure in Ohio (Anderson Publishing Company, 2000) OhioRoom KFO 555 .W65 2000
Appellate forms section as well as some local appeals court forms.  Updated by supplements.

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal > U.S. > Ohio Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All OH Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Appellate Practice and Procedure in Ohio

Ohio Appellate Practice, Cleveland, Ohio : Banks-Baldwin Law Pub. Co., 1991- Reserve & Reference & OhioRoom KFO 555 .W5

Annual Softbound publication with mostly text and a few forms.

Westlaw > OHAPP

See also web sites of particular courts, such as domestic relations and probate, in the Web section of this guide.

C.  FEDERAL PRACTICE SETS

Frumer, Louis R., Bender's Federal Practice Forms (Lexis Publishing (Matthew Bender),  1978 -) Reference KF 8836 .F78
Contains forms for practice in Federal Courts "from initial filing of an action to appealing a case." Multi-volume set has cross references to  applicable statutes, treatises, and law review articles.  Looseleaf set as a one volume index and is updated with revisions.

LexisNexis > Legal > Secondary Legal > Matthew Bender(R) > By Area of Law > Federal Practice > Bender's Federal Practice Forms

West's Federal Forms (West Group, 1952 -) KF 8836 .W4
Contains forms arranged by "type of proceeding (civil and criminal) and the court to which they pertain." Includes index, table of statutes, and court rules.  Covers United States Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, Civil and Criminal District Courts, bankruptcy and admiralty proceedings. Updated annually.
 Westlaw > FEDFORMS

Federal Procedural Forms, Lawyers Edition (West Group, 1975 - ) KF 8836 .F4
Guidance in drafting forms and provides procedural checklists for proceedings before Federal Courts and Administrative Agencies.  Updated annually, 3 volume general index. 
Westlaw > FEDPROF

Sand, Leonard B., Modern Federal Jury Instructions (Lexis Publishing (Matthew Bender), 1984 - KF 8984 .A65 M6
LexisNexis >Legal > Secondary Legal > Matthew Bender(R) > By Area of Law > Federal Practice > Modern Federal Jury Instructions

D.  SPECIALTY SETS

Stern, Robert L., Supreme Court Practice: For Practice in the Supreme Court of the United States 8th ed. (Bureau of National Affairs, 2002)
 Reserve KF 9057 .S8 2002
Appendix IV has samples of forms used in connection with practice before the  U. S. Supreme Court.

Bender's Forms of Discovery (Lexis Publishing (Matthew Bender), 1963 -  ) Reference KF 8900 .A3 B4
"Compilation of forms, practice and procedure on modern discovery designed to enable lawyers to elicit from adverse parties such information as may be essential to adequate preparation for trial."   Indexed and updated but no schedule provided.
LexisNexis > Secondary Legal > Matthew Bender(R) > By Area of Law > Federal Practice This link (once you log in) will take you to a page where you can choose what portion of the title to search.

Pattern Discovery Series - Contains discovery techniques and strategies for interrogatories, depositions, and requests for production of documents.  Includes sample questions and checklist for the particular type of action.  Each set indexed and updated annually.

      Danner, Douglas, and Varn Larry L., Pattern Discovery Employment Discrimination 2nd ed.   (West Group, 1994 -  )  Reference KF 8900 .D32
      Westlaw > PDED

      Danner, Douglas, and Varn Larry L., Pattern Discovery Premises Liability 3rd ed. (West Group, 1995 -  )  Reference KF8900 .D366
      Westlaw > PDPREML

      Danner, Douglas, and Varn Larry L., Pattern Discovery Products Liability 3rd ed. (West Group, 1995 - ) Reference KF 8900 .A3 D35 1995
      Westlaw > PDPRODL

      Danner, Douglas, Pattern Discovery Tort Actions 3rd ed. (West Group, 1994 -  )  Reference KF 8900 .D332 1994
      Westlaw > PDTORT

II.  TRANSACTIONAL FORMS

Instruments designed for specific legal transactions such as contracts, leases, wills, and deeds.

A.  GENERAL SETS

American Jurisprudence Legal Forms 2d (West Group, 1971 ) Reference KF 170 .A542
Alphabetically arranged multi volume set of legal forms, with a detailed index, that is updated annually. Each volume contains form drafting guides, text discussion, notes on use, and sample forms. Provides references to West Key Number System and American Jurisprudence 2d.
Westlaw > AMJUR-LF

West's Legal Forms (West Group, 1990 - ) Reference KF 170 .W47
Provides forms, commentary, analysis, and checklists for drafting transactional documents.  Covers areas such as: Business Organizations, Debtor-Creditor Relations, Elder Law, and Service Agreements.  Includes index and table of statutes and rules.  References to West's Key Number System.  Updated Annually.
Westlaw > WEST-LF

B.  OHIO SETS

Swisher, Thomas R., Ohio Forms and Transactions: OFT (West Group, 1989 - )  Reserve & Reference KFO 68 .S94
Civil transaction forms in a three volume set; updated annually. Forms include alternative or optional language to aid in revising documents.

Couse, Harold Ambrose, Couse's Ohio Form Book 6th ed. rev. & updated (Anderson Publishing Co., 2003 - ) Reserve & Reference KFO 68 .C65
Looseleaf set with limited selection of forms. Topical arrangement covers business law, commercial transactions, domestic relations, estate planning and probate,  professional relationships, and real property.  References to Ohio Revised Code, federal statutes, and cases. Includes index, and updated annually.

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Forms & Drafting Instructions > Couse's Ohio Form Book

Ohio Transaction Guide: Legal Forms (Lexis Publishing (Matthew Bender), 1975 - ) Reference & OhioRoom KFO 213 .A65 O35
Provides research tools, analysis, practice tips, checklists, and forms pertaining to business entities, wills, trusts, real estate, commercial transactions, and personal transactions. Looseleaf; updated twice a year. Has an index volume.
LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. Ohio > Search Forms & Drafting Instructions > Ohio Transaction Guide

Ohio Forms: Practice-Oriented Forms for Ohio Legal and Business Transactions (West Group, 1970 - ) Reference & OhioRoom KFO 68 .035
This Ohio specific multi-volume set contains practice oriented standard legal and business forms. Includes index. Updated annually.
Westlaw > OH-LF

III.  SPECIALTY SETS BY AREA OF LAW

These sets deal with particular areas of practice. Often they combine procedural and transactional forms.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Grenig, Jay E., Alternative Dispute Resolution with Forms (West Group,  1997 - ) KF 9084 .G74
Westlaw > ADR

BANKRUPTCY

Norton Jr., William L. , Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice: Annotated Forms (West Group,  1991 - ) KF 1520 .N678
Westlaw > NRTN-BLP

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS / CORPORATIONS

Anderson's Ohio Corporation Law Handbook (Anderson Publishing Co., 2000 - ) Reference & OhioRoom KFO 213 .A65 S43

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Corporation Law

Jacobs, William R., The Ohio Close Corporation: Planning and Organization (Anderson Publishing Co., 1996 - ) Reserve KFO 215 .C55 J33 1996

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Close Corporation

Blackford, Jason C., Blackford Business Organizations (West Group, 1996 - ) Reserve & Reference & OhioRoom KFO 205 .B53 2004
Westlaw > OHPRAC-BUS

CREDITOR/DEBTOR

Botti, James P., Ohio Creditors' Rights (Anderson Publishing Co., 1993 - ) Reserve & OhioRoom KFO 220 .B67

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Creditors' Rights

CRIMINAL LAW

Anderson's Ohio Criminal Practice and Procedure (Anderson Publishing Co., 1997 - ) Reserve & Reference KFO 561 .A95 2005
LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Criminal Practice and Procedure

Katz, Lewis R. & Gianelli, Paul C., Katz Gianelli Criminal Law ( West Group, 1996 - )  Reserve & Reference KFO 561 .K38 2003

Westlaw > OHPRAC-CRIM

Ohio Felony Sentencing Law (West Group, 1996 - ) Reference & OhioRoom KFO 583.2 .G7433

Westlaw > OHFSL

DOMESTIC RELATIONS

Sowald, Beatrice & Morganstern, Stanley eds., Sowald Morganstern Domestic Relations Law 4^th ed. (West Group, 2002 - ) Reserve & Reference & OhioRoom KFO 94 .A6 B34
Westlaw > OHPRAC-DOM

Anderson's Ohio Family Law 2nd ed. (Anderson Publishing Co., 1989 - ) Reserve & Reference  KFO 94 .A5 
LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Family Law

LAND USE LAW

Handling the Land Use Case : Land Use Law, Practice & Forms, 3rd Ed. / John J. Delaney, Stanley D. Abrams, Frank Schnidman (Thomson/West, 2005-) KF5698 .D45 2005

Westlaw > LANDUSELAW

MUNICIPAL

Local Government Law--Municipal / John E. Gotherman, Harold W. Babbit and James F. Lang (West Group, 2004 - ) Reserve & OhioRoom KFO431.A6 G67
Westlaw > OHMUNL

Matthews, Byron S., Municipal Ordinances: Texts and Forms, 2d ed. (West Group, 1972 - )  KF 5313 .M3
Westlaw > MUNIORD

Shimp. William B. & Pines, Dennis, Baldwin's Ohio Township Law: With Text and Forms 4^th ed.(West Group, 1975 - ) Reserve KFO 430 .A3
Westlaw > OHTWPL

PROBATE

Anderson's Ohio Probate Practice and Procedure (Anderson Publishing Co., 1997 - ) Reserve & Reference KFO 144 .A93

Three volume set with text, checklists, and outlines.

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Probate Practice and Procedure

Maag, Marilyn J., The Simple Will in Ohio (LexisNexis Matthew Bender, 1996 - ) Reserve & Reference & OhioRoom KFO 144 .A15 S57

Single volume with some forms. Annual supplements.

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's The Simple Will in Ohio

Carlin, Angela G., Merrick-Rippner Probate Law (West Group, 1997 - ) Reserve & Reference & OhioRoom KFO 144 .M4

Three volume set with text, forms, and mortality tables.
Westlaw > OHPRAC-PROB

REAL ESTATE

White, Frederic, Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law (West Group, 1997 - ). Reference & OhioRoom KFO 117 .Z9 W5

Westlaw > OHLDTL

Single volume with easy-to-read question-and-answer format. Covers lease applications, lease and rental agreements, tenant and landlord letters, rent deposits, and pleadings. Significant cases from other states also mentioned.

Kenton L. Kuehnle and Jack S. Levey, Ohio Real Estate Law and Practice (West Group, 1993 - ) Reserve KFO 112 .H362
Westlaw > OHRELP

Curry, Robert M. & Durham, James Jeffrey, Ohio Real Property Law and Practice 5^th ed.
(Lexis Publishing (Michie), 1996 - ) Reference & OhioRoom KFO 112 .M32 1996
LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Ohio Real Property Law and Practice

SCHOOL LAW

Kimball, Carey H., Anderson's Ohio School Law Guide (Anderson Publishing Co., 2002 -  )  Reserve & OhioRoom KFO390 .B342

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio School Law Guide

SECURITIES

Friedman, Howard M., Ohio Securities Law and Practice 2005 ed. (Anderson Publishing Co.,  1997 - ) Reserve & OhioRoom KFO 179 .F75 1996

LexisNexis > Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Ohio > Search Analysis & CLE Materials > All Treatises & Analytical Materials > Anderson's Ohio Securities Law and Practice

Jacobs, Arnold S., Manual of Corporate Forms for Securities Practice (West Group, 1981 - )  KF1437 .J33
Westlaw > SECMCORPF

TAX

See Web section of this guide for IRS website for federal forms and Ohio Department of Taxation for state forms. 

UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE

Hart, Frederick M. and Willier, William F., Forms and Procedures Under the Uniform Commercial Code (Lexis Publishing (Matthew Bender), 1977 - ) KF 890 .B4 v.5
LexisNexis > Legal > Secondary Legal > Matthew Bender(R) > By Area of Law > Commercial Law > Forms & Procedures Under the UCC

Betsos, Peter J., Modern UCC Litigation Forms (Lexis Publishing Matthew Bender), 1969 - ) KF 890 .B4 V4

IV.  LEGAL FORMS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

Findlaw Forms
Features include Findlaw resources (sample corporate deals), web guide for forms collections and indexes, and state tax forms. 

'Lectric Law Library Forms Room
Collection of forms divided into two categories:
    Business & General (Real Estate, Corporations, Employment, Contracts, & Trusts & Wills)
    Legal  Practice (Law Management Practice, & Litigation)

WashLaw Web
Links to form archives, fee based form archives, as well as forms arranged by categories such as state & federal court forms, UCC forms, workers' compensation forms, and partnership forms.  Selective list not available for all states.  This is a selective list; forms not available for all states. 

LexisONE
Free forms and fee based forms available.  To access free forms need to register with LexisONE.  Forms are divided into topical (eg, estate planning, real estate) and jurisdiction (eg, Ohio) areas.

Forms.gov
Contains many forms issued by federal agencies as well as a link to state resources. 


Internal Revenue Service Forms
Tax forms (dating to 1992), instructions, and publications.

Internet Legal Resource Guide Legal Forms Archive
Archive collection of forms organized by 10 "Bussiness" and 5 "Personal" categories.  The Business collection includes credit & collection, leases and real estate, and transfers and assignments forms. The Personal collection includes estate planning, marital and family, and health care forms.

State of Ohio - Agency Forms
Lists of the state's most requested forms. 

Ohio Department of Taxation Forms
Has income tax forms from 1995 onward, fill-in forms, and other tax forms (municipal income tax forms, sales & use tax forms)

Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Clerk of Courts Forms - Currently includes selected Court, Civil, and Auto/Boat Titles forms.

Domestic Relations - Choose from the following categories by selecting from a drop down menu: Domestic Relations Forms, Domestic Relations Violence Instruction Warnings & Forms, and Domestic Relations Guidelines and Rules

Probate Court -  Court Fiduciary Forms
Option to search by form topic in drop down menu or by form number.

Juvenile Court -  List of forms such as applications to determine custody, motion to change order, and parenting time & holiday schedules. 

United States District Court Northern District of Ohio
List of local forms available from the court. 

United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio
Position cursor over "Research and Forms" for links to "bankruptcy forms" and "local forms."