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About Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Automated Documents Project

Goals Create a core library of automated documents for legal aid and pro bono attorneys work closely with Illinois legal aid and pro bono programs to ensure that automated documents are useful and usable by legal aid and pro bono attorneys across the state.

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About Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Automated Documents Project

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  1. Goals Create a core library of automated documents for legal aid and pro bono attorneys work closely with Illinois legal aid and pro bono programs to ensure that automated documents are useful and usable by legal aid and pro bono attorneys across the state About Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Automated Documents Project

  2. What are Automated Documents? • For our purposes – online programs that allow individuals to quickly and accurately create completed legal forms and documents

  3. Why are Automated Documents Important to Legal Aid Attorneys? • Speed, speed, speed… • Cut your form preparation time in half? Depending on the form set, that is very possible • “Intelligent Interviewing” – online programs are “smart”, asking questions depending on the answers you have already given and eliminating superfluous information • Of course, that means… More advocacy, more capacity, and less time spent creating forms • Allow your attorneys to concentrate on the things that brought them to legal aid…

  4. Why are Automated Documents Important to Legal Aid Attorneys (Cont.) • Accessibility • Have all your forms, for every scenario, in one place • Quality Assurance • Correct, complete and standardized • “Capture” the knowledge of your most experienced advocates • Substantial Benefits for Newly Hired Attorneys and New Volunteers • Many such programs provide help screens and explanatory text

  5. What Programs Do We Use? • Two tools that are leveraged nationally in legal aid • LexisNexis’ HotDocs • A2J Author

  6. HotDocs • Great for high-use processes • Generally, the preferred program for advocate-focused document assembly Example Screenshot

  7. A2J Author • Simple user interface • Better for pro se forms and processes and volunteer-focused projects Example Screenshot

  8. How Does It Work? 2. After completing the interview, an answer file is sent to the server • Fill out a HotDocs interview on • www.illinoislegaladvocate.org 3. The server takes the answer file apart and populates the document 4. The files are then downloaded to your machine - where you can save and print them

  9. More About the Server • Formally named “National Public Automated Documents Online” Server, or “NPADO” • Legal Services Corporation-funded resource • Used by legal aid organizations across the country • Contains all of the “back end” document assembly templates • See handout for more information

  10. What Types of Files are Generated? • Two different types, depending on the particular program • .rtf files (Rich Text Format) • Similar to a MS Word file, can be opened in MS Word • .pdf files (Portable Document Format) • Can be opened by Adobe Acrobat Reader (available for free)

  11. What Do I Need to Access These Tools? • Computer • Connection to the internet and Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher • Programs to open the completed documents • Microsoft Word and/or an Open Source equivalent • Adobe Acrobat Reader

  12. An Example: Divorce

  13. An Example: Divorce (Cont.) Select the Documents You Need

  14. An Example: Divorce (Cont.)

  15. An Example: Divorce (Cont.) The Completed Document…

  16. What if I Need Cook County Forms as Well? • Access the Cook County Supplement • Use the answer file you created while completing the general Illinois version NPADO stores answers from prior uses …Select the answer file you need, then repeat the steps you took in creating the Illinois version.

  17. What Programs Does ILAO Have Online for Advocates? • Forms, Letters and Pleadings for: • Divorce • Adoption • Lockout Case Letters and Pleadings • Motion to Stay Eviction • Durable Powers of Attorney • Civil Procedure Pleadings and Forms • Simple Will • See handout for complete list

  18. What Programs Does ILAO Have for Pro Se Litigants? • Forms, Letters and Pleadings for: • Cook Co. Fee Waiver • Child Support Modification • Divorce • Order of Protection • Power of Attorney for Health Care and Property • Security Deposit Complaint and Demand Letters • Judgment Collection Forms • Letters Credit Card Cos., Banks, Insurance Cos., Credit Reporting Agencies to Report Identity Theft …and many more on www.IllinoisLegalAid.org

  19. How Can Your Program Participate in this Project? • Automated Documents Advisory Group • Assist in selecting and prioritizing documents to automate • Substantive Expertise • Assist in developing appropriate interviews and process flow • Testing • Help test automated documents prior to publication • Pilot Users • Help evaluate use of automated documents in daily practice

  20. Thank You! For further information, contact: Mary K. Neal Automated Documents Project Manager 312-977-9047 x18 mneal@illinoislegalaid.org

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