Nolo vs Open Bankruptcy Project

Overview

Nolo has been a trusted name in self-help legal publishing since 1971, offering books, forms, and software for people handling legal matters without an attorney. The Open Bankruptcy Project (OBP) is a newer nonprofit focused specifically on bankruptcy, providing empirical data and free educational content across 161 specialized domains.

They take fundamentally different approaches: Nolo is a publishing company that sells legal guides and earns revenue from attorney advertising. OBP is a research-first nonprofit that gives everything away for free.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Nolo	Open Bankruptcy Project
Cost	Free articles; paid books/software ($20-$250+)	Everything free
Organization type	For-profit publisher	501(c)(3) nonprofit
Revenue model	Book sales + attorney advertising	Donations + grants
Bankruptcy chapters	All chapters (general guides)	All chapters (empirical data + guides)
Content depth	Broad legal topics, not just bankruptcy	Bankruptcy-only, deeply specialized
Empirical data	No case data	4.9M federal cases, 94 districts
State/city-specific	Some exemption guides	161 domains with local guides
Open source	No	Yes -- all code and data
Attorney advertising	Yes -- directory listings	None
Filing tools	Software packages (paid)	Screening tools only (free)
Legal forms	Paid downloads	Links to official court forms (free)
Discharge screening	No	1328(f) screener + FJC data

When to Use Nolo

• You want a comprehensive, professionally edited book you can read cover to cover
• You need legal forms for non-bankruptcy matters (wills, business formation, etc.)
• You prefer structured, chapter-by-chapter guides from established legal authors
• You want to find a local attorney through their directory

Nolo's strength is in traditional legal publishing. Their bankruptcy books (especially "How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy") are well-regarded and updated regularly. For people who learn best from books, Nolo is an excellent resource.

When to Use Open Bankruptcy Project

• You want to understand actual filing outcomes in your specific district
• You need data -- not just general advice -- about bankruptcy patterns
• You cannot afford paid guides or prefer not to pay for legal information
• You want city-specific or state-specific content tailored to your jurisdiction
• You are a researcher, journalist, or advocate who needs empirical case data
• You want to screen your discharge eligibility before speaking with an attorney

OBP's strength is in data. No other free platform analyzes 4.9 million federal bankruptcy cases. If you want to know what actually happens in bankruptcy court -- not just what the law says -- OBP provides that.

The Advertising Question

One important difference: Nolo generates significant revenue from attorney advertising on their website. When you read a Nolo article about bankruptcy, you may see ads for local attorneys. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, but it means Nolo has a financial relationship with the attorneys they recommend.

OBP does not accept advertising from attorneys or anyone else. There are no ads, no sponsored content, and no referral fees. OBP's only revenue comes from direct donations and grants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nolo free?

Nolo offers some free articles, but their core products -- books, legal forms, and software -- are paid. Prices range from $20 for ebooks to $250+ for software packages. Their website also generates revenue through attorney advertising.

Is Open Bankruptcy Project free?

Yes, completely. OBP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides all tools, data, and content at no cost. There are no ads, no paywalls, and no attorney referral fees. Everything is open source.

Does Nolo have state-specific bankruptcy information?

Nolo has some state-specific articles, primarily about exemptions. OBP provides dedicated sites for individual states and cities, plus empirical data showing actual filing patterns, dismissal rates, and outcomes by district.

Which has better bankruptcy data?

OBP. It analyzes 4.9 million federal bankruptcy cases from the Federal Judicial Center spanning all 94 districts. Nolo provides general legal information but does not offer empirical case data or statistical analysis.

Does Nolo sell advertising to bankruptcy attorneys?

Yes. Nolo's website features attorney directory listings and advertisements. This is a significant revenue source for them. OBP does not accept advertising from attorneys or any other source.