Tag Archives: case information statement nj

Land Ho!: A Log Of Discovery During The Voyage Of Divorce

Although the waters of divorce are well charted, family law attorneys know they need to keep a careful discovery journal along the way. Since divorces are so contentious, the discovery process is essential to presenting a judge with an accurate picture of marital assets. In addition to using software to help complete the Case Information Statement NJ family law attorneys can use the tool to track the discovery process.

Careful discovery documentation can be more important than the actual documents being requested. Let’s say you request a document and the opposing attorney does not produce it in a timely manner. When you show the judge the discovery motion, backed by data from your NJ divorce software discovery log, then the opposing attorney’s case becomes weaker.

For the same reason, you need to stay on top of discovery requests to avoid hurting your own client’s case. For example you probably know that if you receive an “admissions of fact” and don’t return the document within 30 days, then that will be considered by the court to be a tacit admission that the statements are all true. “Oops I forgot” isn’t going to go over well with the judge.

Tracking discovery by hand in a single divorce case can be a paperwork nightmare. It’s easy to overlook one request or not aggressively pursue requests to the opposing attorney, and that means you can’t present the best case possible for your client. Multiply that by a dozen simultaneous divorce cases and it’s nearly impossible to keep up without using New Jersey matrimonial software.

Easy Soft’s Case Information Statement software includes an integrated discovery log. You can easily track requests made and received by your practice, each request categorized by case, document type, request date and more. Unlike a paper log, you can link each discovery entry with the actual electronic document stored on your computer or your practice’s network.

An attorney must work diligently to produce the best case possible for a client. In today’s fast-paced, information-heavy world that is impossible without high quality legal practice management software. Don’t work at a disadvantage. Incorporate the latest electronic technology into your law practice right away.

Posted by Rick Kabra on May 24, 2013 in Family Law Software, Legal Software, Legal Technologies, New Jersey Family Law | Comments Off
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How Can I Reduce My Alimony Payments?

Alimony in divorces is, in theory, fair to both parties. However the amount calculated is based on a snapshot of both parties’ financial situation. Using a Case Information Statement, NJ courts look at the incomes and assets of the spouses to determine an alimony amount. What if circumstances change?

First of all, not just any change will lead to a modification of alimony. In the past New Jersey courts have reduce alimony in cases of decreased income, retirement, illness or the payee’s cohabitation with another partner. It has to be a life change that would affect either the payor’s ability to pay or the payee’s need for support. However listing a reduced income in a New Jersey CIS is only the start of the process.

Is the change permanent? Retirement is likely to be considered permanent as would some kind of long-term disability that affects the payor’s ability to work. Is unemployment? As a rule, no, you can find another job, but if the payor can demonstrate a permanent downturn in that person’s professional industry then it could be considered a permanent change. Even the term “permanent” is a relative phrase. After all marriage is considered permanent in the eyes of the law, but there are a lot of divorce attorneys out there who know permanent doesn’t always mean forever.

Is the change involuntary? Some payors will quit their jobs or under-employ themselves in hopes of reducing alimony only to find the judge rules against them. Judges know about these attempts to deliberately manipulate the system and will not rule in favor of an alimony change just because of a reduced salary on a Case Information Statement.

Has the payor made an attempt to remedy the situation? For example an out of work spouse must show evidence of an active job search. Sitting home and collecting unemployment while watching game shows on TV is not grounds to reduce alimony.

Alimony reduction is difficult. The burden of proof lies on the paying spouse and judges tend to need very strong evidence in addition to the New Jersey CIS form to grant the reduction.

New Jersey family law attorneys need every advantage to get an alimony reduction for a client, and that means using the latest generation of NJ family law software. Contact Easy Soft to find out more about how our products not only simplify your practice but give you the best chance to help your clients get what they deserve.

Posted by Rick Kabra on February 28, 2013 in Legal Technologies, New Jersey Family Law | Comments Off
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Case Management Tools For Easy CIS Preparation

New Jersey family law attorneys don’t just plug a few numbers into a form and mail it off. Firms may handle dozens of divorces at the same time and some of these cases may drag on for months. You need legal practice management software that not only helps you complete the Case Information Statement (NJ) but also helps you manage the information associated with the case. Easy Soft’s CIS software includes several useful tools found on the Case Management tab of the Case Data section.

Discovery Log – The respective counsels in a divorce case will need to exchange documents. It is important to track this information to be sure all important information has been sent and received in a timely fashion. You can verify you have received all relevant documentation before completing the Case Information Statement and can be sure to meet any discovery requests you’ve received from the other attorney. The Discovery Log isn’t just a list of forms and deadlines however. With so many documents being electronic nowadays, you can link the discovery log entry to the actual document making it easy to view as needed. Track both sent and received documents by document type, party name, document name, deadline, receipt date and more.

Calendar – Track your schedule with this easy utility. You can note appointments with clients, other attorneys, court dates or any other scheduled function. In addition to noting the event, date and time you can also specify the priority (Low, Normal or Critical) and whether or not the appointment is billable time. Set up reminders to alert you to upcoming events. Reminders could range from a notification a few minutes before an appointment to a warning of an upcoming tax deadline in a few months.

Tasks – One divorce is a collection of a thousand small tasks. Overlooking even one of these can affect the outcome of the case. Create a to-do list not just for yourself but also for subordinates. Enter the task, due date and priority. Update tasks with status and completion percentages so you can see at a glance how much remains to be done on a specific case.

Case Notes – There is so much more information in a divorce case that what appears on the New Jersey CIS form. Add free-form notes here, tagged with date and priority, to help to manage information associated with a case. These notes are internal and won’t appear on any forms or letters generated by the software.

If you use the cloud version of Easy Soft’s Case Information Statement software you have access to these tools and all the function of the product from anywhere. Download a demo to discover even more time-saving features.

Posted by Rick Kabra on January 28, 2013 in Legal Technologies, New Jersey Family Law | Comments Off
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CISLite Lets The Client Do The Work

The initial client interview is, of course, an important step in preparing a divorce case in New Jersey. Attorneys need to gather a great deal of information not only to handle the case successfully but also to complete the needed state forms, specifically the Case Information Statement (NJ).

Nowadays traditional interview method is, to be blunt, a waste of the attorney’s time. The lawyer serves as little more than a stenographer, copying down what the client says or entering information from financial statements onto the NJ CIS form. Some of the routine tasks might be turned over to a paralegal but even then you have a skilled worker who’s doing nothing but data entry. Wouldn’t it be great if the client could enter the information directly?

“What?” you exclaim in horror. “You want me to give the client access to my Case Information Statement software?” Yes, but only in a very controlled fashion by means of a tool called CISlite.

CISlite is a Microsoft Word document a lawyer can email to the client. The client fills out the form, providing everything from the full names of the spouses and children in the divorce to detailed financial information. The client then emails the completed form back and the attorney imports the information into the software, which in turn populates the New Jersey CIS form.

The client performs a sort of self-interview. The case information ends up in the attorney’s files without giving the client direct access to the software. Practice employees can use their time more effectively and it keeps the client busy with a useful task. This doesn’t eliminate the need for a client interview but it does shorten and simplify the process.

CISlite is a valuable tool when used with the desktop version of the legal office software, but it really shines in partnership with the cloud version. Attorneys can send and receive the form, and then import the data into the case file without needing to be chained to an office. Family law attorneys have the flexibility to meet with clients, judges and opposing attorneys anywhere and still have full access to the tools needed to provide counseling to couples divorcing in New Jersey.

Bring your practice to a new level of efficiency by using modern digital tools designed specifically for the needs of the legal profession.

Posted by Rick Kabra on January 21, 2013 in Legal Technologies, New Jersey Family Law | Comments Off
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Cloud Software: The Better Choice For Non-Nerds

Over our twenty years of business we’ve seen computer operating systems and software become friendlier to the people out there who don’t have Computer Science degrees. Unfortunately you still need some technical know how–or access to someone with know how–to install, update and maintain software. That has been a limiting factor for many legal practices who want to adopt legal practice management software.

Easy Soft’s desktop software has been designed from the ground up not to require a lot of technical knowledge. The whole point of products such as our Case Information Statement software is to allow attorneys to focus on the law and not on trivial clerical details, and not on trivial computer details. However you still need to be able to handle a few tasks like installing updates, maintaining system security and backing up your data. We understand that many of our clients find even these chores to be intimidating.

This was part of the reason we decided to release a cloud version of the New Jersey CIS form. Using the cloud version means we take over most of the technical details so you don’t have to. Your information is stored in dedicated data centers employing a team of IT professionals that ensure your software is always up to date, your data is safe from unauthorized access, and your files are regularly backed up.

To use the cloud-based Case Information Statement you log in to your online account from any web-capable device. This means you can access your information from any computer in your office or home, or even from iPads or other tablets. If your office is a mix of PCs and Macs you don’t have to worry about buying two versions of the software because the cloud version works with both.

Although our emphasis is on the cloud version, Easy Soft continues to offer full support and development of our desktop Case Information Statement NJ software. We know some of our clients prefer handling the technical side of maintaining a desktop version and we are happy to accommodate them as well.

Contact Easy Soft at 800-905-7638 to find out more about how our cloud-based products are easy even for the most non-technical lawyers to use.

Posted by Rick Kabra on January 4, 2013 in Legal Technologies, New Jersey Family Law | Comments Off
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Divorce Settlement On The Go: CIS NJ For Your Mobile Device

When you are discussing a divorce settlement with your client, an opposing attorney or the judge you can’t say, “Sorry, I’ll have to go back to my office before I can give you some numbers.” You need quick answers about child support. You can run Case Information Statement software on your laptop, but even the smallest laptop can be clumsy and awkward to use in many situations.

Nearly every attorney has a smart phone or tablet today so Easy Soft offers mEasySoft, our free Case Information Statement (NJ) software for your mobile device. Anywhere you have access to the internet you can quickly calculate New Jersey child support just by plugging in a few numbers.

mEasySoft brings the basics of New Jersey child support calculations to your iPhone, iPad, Blackberry or Android device. The app is free and is eligible for the same high-quality technical support as any of our legal practice management software titles. If you have an incompatible device or just don’t want to install an app, we also offer a web version of New Jersey CIS calculations that can be used on any device with web access.

Using the mEasySoft app is easy. Enter information on the number of children, including the number over 12, the number of nights and basic income information for each parent. Click the “Calculate” button and instantly you have a weekly child support figure. Click on the “Details” button for a breakdown of how that figure was reached.

We don’t claim mEasySoft is a replacement for our full product, but it serves as a valuable companion application that lets you calculate child support values anywhere you need to. You’ll still need the full desktop product to calculate more complicated child support situations, generate forms, track case information and so on. However with mEasySoft you have an accurate child support calculator in your pocket. You’ll find that the ability to come up with quick figures can be a great advantage in divorce negotiations.

mEasySoft is a simple and convenient tool for attorneys on the go. Download the app to your phone or tablet for free by going to our CIS NJ page and clicking on the “FREE Mobile App” tab.

Posted by Rick Kabra on December 26, 2012 in Legal Technologies, New Jersey Family Law | Comments Off
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