The following titles were written with the layperson in mind, focus on Massachusetts law and legal issues, and are available at public libraries.  If I have information about where a particular book can be purchased, it is included.  Send me an email (TheEditor@malawforum.com) if you are aware of other books that might interest our readers.  Please note that by presenting these titles we neither endorse them nor vouch for the accuracy of their contents.
 
Estate/End Of Life Planning
 
How to Make a Massachusetts Will.  DiBlasi and Warda:  Sphinx Publishing.  Includes forms for wills and codicils.
 
How to Probate an Estate in Massachusetts.  Feigenbaum and Uddo: Sphinx Publishing.  The publishers describe this as a "self-help law kit."
 
Real Estate
 
Massachusetts Real Estate: Principles, Practices, and Law.  Robert M. Sawyer.  South-Western Educational Pub; 1 edition (May 16, 2008).
 
Landlord and Tenant
 
The Successful Landlord; A Comprehensive Guide to the Rights and Responsibilities of Owning and Managing Rental Property in Massachusetts.  Perry:  Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc.  2006.  The title says it all. This excellent reference book is available at the Alliance's site:  www.cmhaonline.org. 
 
The Massachusetts Landlord Survival Guide.  Lapatin: Greater Boston Real Estate Board.  A good resource for owners and managers of rental property in Massachusetts.  The book is available for $35.00 at the Board's website: www.gbreb.com. 
 
Legal Tactics: Tenant's Rights in Massachusetts, Private Housing.  Duke, et al.: Mass. Law Reform Institute and Mass. Continuing Legal Education.  Full of forms and advice on every aspect of the landlord/tenant relationship.  You can buy the book for $20.00 by calling MCLE at 1-800-966-6253 or going to: www.mcle.org. 
 
The Landlord's Legal Guide in Massachusetts.  DiBlasi and Warda: Sphinx Publishing.  Another good resource with helpful forms.
 
Divorce and Family Law
 
Massachusetts Divorce; A Consumer Guide.  Sibbison:  Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.  Available by calling MCLE at 1-800-966-6253 or going to: www.mcle.org.
 
Family Law Advocacy for Low and Moderate Income Litigants.  Bowman, et al.: Mass. Law Reform Institute and Mass. Continuing Legal Education.  762 pages of user friendly advice on alimony, child custody and support, divorce, domestic violence, and other related issues.  You can buy the book for $35.00 by calling MCLE at 1-800-966-6253 or going to: www.mcle.org.
 
How to File for Divorce in Massachusetts.  Sooho and Fuchs:  Sphinx Publishing.  The publishers describe this as a "self-help law kit with forms."
 
Adopting in Massachusetts.  This is a publication of the Center for Adoption Research at the University of Massachusetts.  It contains helpful information and a list of resources for those who are considering adoption.
 
Business and Corporation
 
How to Start a Business in Massachusetts.  O'Neill and Warda:  Sphinx Publishing.
 
How to Form a Corporation in Massachusetts.  DiBlasi and Warda:  Sphinx Publishing.
 
Health Law
 
The Essentials of Massachusetts Mental Health Law.  Behnke and Hilliard: W.W. Norton.  I know at the top of this page I said I do not endorse these books, but this is a great resource for clinicians and family members.  It's easy to read and well organized.
 
Employment Law
 
Your Rights on the Job:  A Practical Guide to Employment Laws in Massachusetts.  Schwartz.  Labor Guild of Boston, 2000.
 
Miscellaneous 
 
Freedom of Information in Massachusetts.  Abrashkin and Winsor: Mass. Law Reform Institute and Mass. Continuing Legal Education.  Detailed information on the rules regarding government held information, including criminal records and fair information practices.  You can buy the book for $20.00 by calling MCLE at 1-800-966-6253 or going to www.mcle.org.
 
Other Mass. Law Reform Institute Publications.  The Institute publishes several other books and advocacy guides on such topics as food stamps, MassHealth, and unemployment rights.  For a full list, check out the Institute's website: www.mlri.org.
 
Pursuing a Case in Small Claims Court.  Casher:  Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.  Although this book was not written for the layperson, it and a few other MCLE titles are relatively easy to follow and may be useful to non-lawyers.  (Product # 2000259B01.)  Available by calling MCLE at 1-800-966-6253 or going to: www.mcle.org.
 
Town Meeting Time; A Handbook of Parliamentary Law.  Massachusetts Moderators Association.
 
How to Leave a Paper Trail:  Record keeping to protect yourself financially and legally.  A. Joseph Ross, J.D.:  Polaris Press, 2005.  With frequent references to Massachusetts law, this book will help readers avoid legal and financial disputes (and obtain a good result when a dispute cannot be avoided).  Available at www.polarispress.org.