about illinois legal aid online’s automated documents project goals create a core library of...
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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
What are Automated Documents?
For our purposes – online programs that allow individuals to quickly and accurately create completed legal forms and documents
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…
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
What Programs Do We Use?
Two tools that are leveraged nationally in legal aid LexisNexis’ HotDocs A2J Author
HotDocs Great for high-use processes Generally, the preferred program for
advocate-focused document assembly
Exam
ple
Scre
ensh
ot
A2J Author Simple user interface Better for pro se forms and processes and
volunteer-focused projects
Exam
ple
Screensh
ot
How Does It Work?
1. Fill out a HotDocs interview on www.illinoislegaladvocate.org
2. After completing the interview, an answer file is sent to the server
3. The server takesthe answer file apart and populates the document
4. The files are then downloaded to your machine - where you cansave and print them
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
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)
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
An Example: Divorce
An Example: Divorce (Cont.)Select the Documents You Need
An Example: Divorce (Cont.)
An Example: Divorce (Cont.)The Completed
Document…
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.
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
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
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
Thank You!
For further information, contact:Mary K. Neal
Automated Documents Project Manager
312-977-9047 [email protected]