Editorial policy

Primary sources first

Statutes, official schedules and court rules are the only acceptable sources for a guideline figure. Agency publications and appellate decisions may explain how a rule is applied. Law firm websites, news articles and other calculators are never used as the source of a number, though we may cite them for context.

Every number is dated and traceable

Each calculator page shows when its figures were last reviewed and links to the sections it relies on. Caps and percentages live in the calculator code alongside a citation, so a reader can verify any figure against the statute.

Human review

Every page is reviewed by an editor before publication and after each change to the underlying law. Where a page has also been reviewed by a licensed attorney in that state, the reviewer's name and credential appear under the title. We do not display review credits that did not happen.

Corrections

We correct errors as soon as they are confirmed and update the page's review date. Substantive corrections that change a result are noted on the page. Report problems through the contact page.

Advertising and independence

Fairsum is free to use and is supported by advertising. Advertisers have no influence over which states we cover, what a calculator returns, or what we write. No law firm or service pays to be recommended, and we do not accept payment for placement in any list on this site. Where a link earns a referral fee, the page says so.

Not legal advice

Nothing on this site is legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Our full disclaimer explains the limits of guideline estimates.