Forms & Documents

Toolkit for Legal Interpreters

Resources: Forms & Documents

Within the legal system, forms and documents are a significant part of tracking a legal matter. As such, the interpretation of printed texts is a common occurrence for interpreters who specialize in legal interpreting. A range of forms and documents that an interpreter would likely encounter as a legal interpreter is presented.

The interpretation of printed text is called sight translation. Sight Translation offers a skill development activity guide to apply sight translation of legal forms and documents.

Sheneman provides an ASL overview of this resource section and how it can be used.

Forms
Courts
  • Adoption Agreement – This form is used in the adoption process (California). *Available upon request
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution – This form is used in the settlement process to resolve a dispute between parties (California). *Available upon request
  • Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem – Civil – This form is used to select an person who will make recommendations to the court about what is in the best interest of a minor, an incapacitated person, or a person with a conservator (California). *Available upon request
  • Authorization for Final Disposition – This form is used to authorized a designated individual to make funeral arrangements on behalf of someone else (Wisconsin). *Available upon request
  • Caregiver Information – This optional form is used by caregivers to provide the courts with additional information (California). *Available upon request
  • Child Support Information and Order – This attachment is used to determine child support (California). *Available upon request
  • Case Questionnaire – This form is used to settle limited civil cases under $25,000 (California). *Available upon request
  • Civil Harassment Restraining Order After Hearing – This form is a court order used in restraining order (California). *Available upon request
  • Complaint – Personal Injury, Property Damage, Wrongful Death – This form is used to present a complaint to the court (California). *Available upon request
  • Confidential Information – This form is used to keep a juvenile’s information confidential (California). *Available upon request
  • Consent of Proposed Guardian – This form is used in assuming the guardianship of a minor’s person or estate (California). *Available upon request
  • Consent Order for Voluntary Expedited Jury Trial – This form is used to voluntarily consent to an expedited jury trial (California). *Available upon request
  • Creditor’s Claim – This form is used in bankruptcy court by the person owed money (California). *Available upon request
  • Criminal Protective Order – Domestic Violence – This form is a court order used in domestic violence cases (California). *Available upon request
  • Defendant’s Statement of Assets – This form is used to identify the defendant’s assets and debits (California). *Available upon request
  • Eligibility for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status – Probate Guardianship – This form is used to apply for special immigration juvenile status which would entitle the ward to parament lawful U.S. residency (California). *Available upon request
  • Emergency Protective Order – This form is used to protect against domestic violence, abuse, or stalking temporarily (California). *Available upon request
  • Juror Questionnaire for Civil Cases – This questionnaire is used by the court to expedite jury selection for civil cases (California). *Available upon request
  • Juror Questionnaire for Criminal Cases – This questionnaire is used by the court to expedite jury selection for criminal cases (California). *Available upon request
  • Miranda Waiver – This form is used by university police to acknowledge the rights listed in the Miranda Warning and those rights are being waived (University of North Alabama). *Available upon request
  • Miranda Warning and Waiver – This form is used by a Sheriff’s office to acknowledge the rights listed in the Miranda Warning and those rights are being waived (Ohio). *Available upon request
  • Plea Form with Explanations and Waiver of Rights – Felony – This form is used to inform the court of what the defendant will plead to and the concessions promised (California). *Available upon request
  • Request for Remote Video Arraignment and Trial – Traffic Infraction Cases – This form is used to request a Remote Video Proceeding where the defendant will appear at an off-site location for court (California). *Available upon request
  • Request to Reduce Juvenile Marijuana Offense – This form is used to request a reduced marijuana offense for a juvenile (California). *Available upon request
  • Request to Waive Court Fees – This form is used to ask the court to waive court fees (California). *Available upon request
  • Temporary Restraining Order – This form is used to place a limited duration order on tangible property in claims and delivery cases (California). *Available upon request
  • Waiver of Rights – Establishment of Parental Relationships – This form is used to show understanding of the rights being waived in cases establishing parental relationships (California). *Available upon request
  • Waiver of Rights – Felony – This form is used to show understanding of the rights being waived in felony cases (New Hampshire). *Available upon request
  • Waiver of Rights – Juvenile Delinquency – This form is used to show understanding of the rights being waived by a juvenile (California). *Available upon request
  • Waiver of Rights – Stipulation – This form is used to show understanding of the rights being waived by a parent in a child support case (California). *Available upon request
Health Care
  • Advance Directive: Planning for Important Health Care Decisions – This form is used to make informed decisions about end-of-life care and services (Pennsylvania). *Available upon request
  • Health Care Proxy – This form is used to appoint a trusted person to make health care decision on behalf of an incapacitated individual (New York). *Available upon request
    • Additional Health Care Proxy forms from New York and Massachusetts. *Available upon request
  • Living Will – This form is used to declare wishes to not artificially postpone an imminent death (Illinois). *Available upon request
    • An addition Living Will form from Wisconsin. *Available upon request
  • Power of Attorney – Health Care – This form is used to authorize another person to make health care decisions on behalf of an incapacitated individual (Wisconsin). *Available upon request
Financial
  • Power of Attorney – Finances – This form is used to authorize another person to make property decisions on behalf of an individual (Wisconsin). *Available upon request
  • Waiver of Rights – Inheritance – This form is used as an affidavit by heirs to waiver their rights to inheritance associated with the Olgoonik Corporation (Arkansas). *Available upon request
Other
  • Final Disposition Instructions – This form is used to designate a representative to carry out funeral arrangements on behalf of an individual (Wisconsin). *Available upon request
Documents
Court
  • Attorney for Child – This document provides information about the appointment of an attorney for a child in a family law case (California). *Available upon request
  • How to Ask for a Temporary Restraining Order – This document serves as a checklist to get a temporary restraining order to prevent domestic violence (California). *Available upon request
  • Legal Steps for a Divorce or Legal Separation – This document outlines the legal steps for obtaining a divorce or legal separation (California). *Available upon request
  • Juvenile Court Information for Parents – This document provides parents with information if their child is in delinquency court (California). *Available upon request
  • What to Do After the Court Decided Your Small Claims Case – This document outlines next steps for small claims cases where the court has made a decision (California). *Available upon request

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The contents of the Project CLIMB website was developed under a grant (#H160D160001) from the Department of Education. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education. Do not assume endorsement by the Federal government.