Using Tags and Keywords

practicelaw relies extensively on the use of tags and keywords to help you find forms, resources and information. Here's how to use them effectively.

Tags

A tag is simply a category name. A resource can have more than one tag. If, for example, you put a document into a traditional folder or outline, it could only go in one place. Tags, however, allow a document to be found in multiple topics, or for a specific topic to be viewed on the general topic page.

View the tags on practicelaw to get an overview of the categories available in particular areas of the site, then use them to filter information into more precise and relevant results. For instance, you can start with a long list of probate forms and quickly filter down to probate closing forms that involve a will simply by clicking on the tags "Probate Closing" and "Testate."

Tags operate not only to filter your results but also to highlight the connections among resources that you may not have contemplated. For instance, family law and probate matters often involve real property issues. A tagging system allows practicelaw to simultaneously display all of the forms related to real property, family law and probate matters, while allowing the user to pick the specific categories they wish to view in more detail.

Keywords

Keyword searching — or filtering as we call it — allows you to provide any keyword you feel would best find a form, link, or other listed resource. So, for instance, if you are looking for a petition for dissolution of marriage, you could type in "Dissolution" or "Petition" and our keyword filtering system will search for all forms that have that particular keyword in the form title, in the form number or reference, or in a hidden field that practicelaw staff has used to list common or significant keywords. Using keywords is a quick and easy way to find something, but it may return results that you had not anticipated. For more refined filtering, we recommend that you use our "tag" system.