Document Assembly
Document Management

You can find at least 18 different libraries for each state and 22 in New York. The libraries range from all over the legal spectrum. New York users can also select the divorce library, tenant evictions, foreclosures and co-op sales. The number of documents available within each library is fairly extensive.

The program asks you a series of questions, varying from simple yes-or-no to in-depth multiple choice. You also have the ability to set up templates for some documents. Document tailoring can be accomplished from both within the program through the fill-in questions, or later from within the user's word processor.

Program installation and setup was very easy. Customization, including listing attorney draftsman, default year and so on, was also relatively easy. The program assembles your documents with the appropriate formatting codes for your selected word processing program. You can also choose from most popular word processing formats.

I was satisfied with the operation of the program, but even more pleased with the document output. I used the Will and Trust Libraries extensively, and the language of the documents was professional and statutorily acceptable. In fact, some of the questions help you focus on issues you may not have thought about before beginning the process. I drafted leases and contract riders, and answered questions in each of the various New York libraries.

I was also comfortable using the resulting documents in my practice. One drawback, however, is that you cannot modify the language that Attorney's Computer Network uses, unless you do it each and every time you create a document with that clause. Although the company offers to incorporate changes suggested by users, I prefer to do it myself.

Another drawback I discovered is the user's inability to view a document before it's finalized and sent to the word processor. It would be terrific to see the language from a particular selection before moving on to the next question. With this program, the only choice you have is to use it enough to anticipate which phrases will result with certain choices.

If you don't like the language, or the result of your selection, you can change the language by hand using your word processor, or re-do your entire document. Also, if you fail to save your answers, you have to rethink the entire process. For those of us with enough to remember, these are less than desirable options. Personally, I'd like the option of printing all the various clauses, so you can see in advance what you're getting. Now that's WYSIWYG.

Each library is $200. Updates w/o charge first year, $25 per disk thereafter. All libraries, $1600 ($1900 in New York)

Reviewed By Denise Ward, attorney, Grean & Ward, Port Chester, N.Y.

Oct/Nov '99 Issue

PROS
Great pricing for well-produced documents; easy translation into many word processors; can set up templates for non-attorney users.

CONS
Learning the results of your answers can be time-consuming and frustrating; need to be able to preview the document before word processing; unable to change clauses inserted into documents.

VERDICT
A nicely priced library system but somewhat restrictive.

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Updated 09/19/01
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