Side Bar
Bite-sized stories and real-world breakdowns that turn curious humans into legally literate adults.
Welcome to side bar
This is a space for clear, thoughtful conversations about the legal side of everyday life. Here, you’ll find practical explainers, relatable stories, and timely insights on topics that quietly shape your world — from adulting and money to family, work, housing, justice, and what’s unfolding in the news.
You don’t need to be an expert to understand how the law affects your life. Side Bar is here to help you learn the rules in a way that feels approachable, useful, and human — so you can make informed decisions with more confidence and a lot less overwhelm.
Browse by topic
Find the legal stuff that matters to your life right now — no scrolling required.
Love Turned Into Paperwork: The Estate Planning Documents That Matter
Estate planning isn’t about wealth — it’s about clarity. Learn which documents every adult needs to protect family, avoid probate chaos, and plan with intention.
The 10 Things Every 18-Year-Old Needs to Know About Being a Legal Adult
A “Life Is Legal” Guide for New Grown-Ups (and the Parents Who Love Them)
Can Gift Cards Expire?
You want to send a thoughtful gift to your mom for her birthday. She has everything. She lives far away. And the thought of purchasing something, wrapping it in post-office-approved paper, figuring out postage, and standing in line makes you want to lie down for a bit.
How To Be a Secret Mega Multi-Millionaire
My dad is a dreamer. And one of his favorite things to dream about is winning the lottery. He’s told my siblings and me on more than one occasion, always in a fairly serious tone, what “code word” he’s going to relay to us via telephone if he wins the lottery.
Welcome to Life Is Legal…and Why I Started This Podcast
The law is everywhere—but the explanations aren’t. Brooke Hardie shares why she started Life Is Legal and what legally literate living really looks like.