Nolo was born in 1971 as a publisher of self-help legal books. Guided by the motto “law for all,” our attorney authors and editors have been explaining the law to everyday people ever since. Learn more about our history and our editorial standards.
Each article that we publish has been written or reviewed by one of our editors, who together have over 100 years of experience practicing law. We strive to keep our information current as laws change. Learn more about our editorial standards.
An opinion by a court, administrative agency, or attorney general that doesn't resolve a live dispute between adverse parties. Instead, the opinion states the legal rules and analyses that likely would control the outcome should the facts develop into a justiciable controversy. Federal courts and most state courts aren't allowed to issue advisory opinions.