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.
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Probate & Estate Administration 101
What is probate? A confusing part of the law that most people nod along to without really understanding. Probate is the court-supervised process of proving a will, paying a person’s debts, and passing what’s left to the people who inherit it. What does an executor do, and what happens with a will and without one? And why trust property and accounts with named beneficiaries to skip probate entirely?
What to Do in the First 72 Hours After Someone Dies
When somebody dies, you do not have to handle everything by next Tuesday. But a few things really do need attention in those first days, and they're more basic than most people think. I walk through what to do right away, what can wait, and how to let someone help you carry it.
Bankruptcy Explained
Most people hear the word bankruptcy and picture luxury handbags and jet skis. In real life, it's a lot more often illness, job loss, divorce, or a business that didn't make it. In this episode, I walk through what bankruptcy actually is, what it can and can't wipe out, and why the shame around it doesn't belong.
What Happens When You Need a Lawyer and Can't Afford One?
Attorney Brooke Hardie and legal aid director Robert Doggett explain why there's no right to a lawyer in civil court—and what to do instead.