Transcript IllinoisLawHelp.org

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?
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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?
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Speed, speed, speed…
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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
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Allow your attorneys to concentrate on the things that
brought them to legal aid…
Why are Automated Documents
Important to Legal Aid Attorneys
(Cont.)
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Accessibility
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Quality Assurance
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Have all your forms, for every scenario, in one place
Correct, complete and standardized
“Capture” the knowledge of your most experienced
advocates
Substantial Benefits for Newly Hired Attorneys
and New Volunteers
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Many such programs provide help screens and
explanatory text
What Programs Do We Use?
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Two tools that are leveraged nationally in
legal aid
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LexisNexis’ HotDocs
A2J Author
HotDocs
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Great for high-use processes
Generally, the preferred program for advocatefocused document assembly
A2J Author
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Simple user interface
Better for pro se forms and processes and
volunteer-focused projects
How Does It Work?
2. After completing the
interview, an answer file
is sent to the server
1. 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
More About the Server
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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?
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Two different types, depending on the
particular program
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.rtf files (Rich Text Format)
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Similar to a MS Word file, can be opened in MS
Word
.pdf files (Portable Document Format)
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Can be opened by Adobe Acrobat Reader
(available for free)
What Do I Need to Access These
Tools?
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Computer
Connection to the internet and Internet
Explorer 6.0 or higher
Programs to open the completed
documents
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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?

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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?
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Forms, Letters and Pleadings for:
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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?
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Forms, Letters and Pleadings for:
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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?
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Automated Documents Advisory Group
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Substantive Expertise
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Assist in developing appropriate interviews and
process flow
Testing
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Assist in selecting and prioritizing documents to
automate
Help test automated documents prior to publication
Pilot Users
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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 x18
[email protected]