What should the top margins be set at for legal documents?

For legal documents, the standard practice is to set the top margins at one inch. This margin size is widely accepted as it provides a professional appearance while also allowing enough white space for readability. Legal documents often follow specific formatting rules to meet court or formal requirements, and one inch is generally consistent with these standards, making it easier for legal professionals to work efficiently without risking non-compliance when submitting documents to courts or other official bodies.

Other margin sizes like one and a half inches or two inches can be excessive for most legal documents, potentially reducing the usable space for text and making the document appear less formal. Three inches would be considered far too large for a legal document, undermining its professional presentation. Hence, one inch strikes the right balance between professionalism, readability, and adherence to typical formatting guidelines.