Editorial Policy
Our standards for creating accurate, reliable, and useful legal content.
Last updated: January 2026
Source Hierarchy
We prioritize sources in the following order when creating content:
Primary Government Sources
USCIS, IRS, Department of State, state agency websites. Official forms, instructions, and policy manuals.
Statutes and Regulations
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), state business codes.
Administrative Guidance
USCIS Policy Manual, IRS Publications, AAO decisions, memoranda from agency leadership.
Professional Resources
AILA practice pointers, bar association publications, academic legal journals. Used for context, never as sole authority.
Update Policy
Legal information changes frequently. We take the following approach to keep content current:
Date Transparency
- datePublished: When the article was first created
- dateModified: When the content was last substantively reviewed or updated
Review Schedule
- Immigration content: Reviewed quarterly or when USCIS issues significant policy updates
- Tax content: Reviewed annually before tax season and when IRS issues new guidance
- Contract templates: Reviewed annually or when relevant state laws change
- Business formation: Reviewed when state filing fees or requirements change
Accuracy Standards
Fact-Checking Process
Every factual claim must be traceable to a specific source. When we state a fee amount, threshold, or deadline, we link to or cite the official source. If we cannot verify a claim, we either do not include it or clearly label it as "commonly reported" or "unverified."
Correction Policy
If we discover an error, we correct it promptly and update the dateModified. For significant corrections that could have affected reader decisions, we add a correction notice at the top of the article.
Scope Limitations
We explicitly state the scope of our content. For example, "This guide covers single-member LLCs. Multi-member LLCs have additional considerations not covered here." We do not attempt to cover everything; we cover specific topics thoroughly.
Attorney Oversight
All legal content on EchoLegal is reviewed by a licensed attorney before publication. The reviewing attorney:
- Verifies legal accuracy of statements
- Ensures appropriate disclaimers are present
- Identifies areas where readers should seek individual counsel
- Flags content that may be outdated due to recent legal changes
Content We Avoid
No Marketing Language
We don't use urgency tactics, fear-based messaging, or exaggerated claims about benefits.
No Specific Advice
We explain general rules, not "what you should do." Individual situations require individual analysis.
No Guarantees
We never guarantee outcomes. Legal results depend on individual circumstances and decision-makers.
No Unofficial Workarounds
We don't suggest questionable strategies or gray-area tactics that could cause problems.
Authority Classification and Precedence
Every primary source cited in an EchoLegal entry must be classified by its position in the normative hierarchy. This classification is mandatory and governs both how sources are recorded and the order in which they are presented to the reader.
Mandatory Assignment
Each primary source must carry an AuthorityLevel classification and a canonical identifier before publication. Entries with unclassified sources are non-compliant and may not be published.
Conflict Resolution Hierarchy
Where a conflict exists between sources at different tiers, the higher-tier source controls. Constitutional and statutory authority prevails over regulations; regulations prevail over administrative instruments; administrative instruments prevail over agency guidance.
Implementing Regulation Scope
Regulations promulgated under statutory delegation carry the force of law within their authorized scope. A regulation may not exceed or contradict the statute under which it was promulgated. Where a regulation appears to exceed statutory authority, the statute controls.
Guidance Limitations
Agency guidance, publications, and form instructions represent an agency's interpretive position. They provide context and practical direction but do not independently create legal obligations. Guidance materials are cited for informational value, not as controlling authority.
Penalty Anchoring
All penalty disclosures must be anchored to the specific statutory provision that authorizes the penalty. Penalty amounts, conditions, and escalation rules must cite the enacted statute — not administrative guidance or form instructions — as the controlling source.
Source presentation order across the platform reflects normative authority weight. This ordering is structurally enforced and is not subject to editorial discretion.
Report an Error
If you believe any content on EchoLegal contains an error, please contact us through our support page. We take accuracy seriously and will investigate all reports.
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