If you need the documents to form your business, execute a
non-disclosure agreement with a potential investor or business
partner, lease a
building or any of a myriad of other "standard" business transactions, legal
software can help. Now, we DO NOT recommend that you dispense with the
services of your attorney! This software is more for providing you with
the basic, standardized forms and explanations of legal terms that you'll need
to perform very simple transactions. In many ways the software is as much
a reference for you if and when you DO need an attorney as it is a way of
formalizing your business transactions.
Therefore, in this software segment, we believe the most
important selection criteria for you is how the focus of your business aligns
with the focus of the software. For example, some of the software reviewed
here provides a variety of forms and documents related to real estate
transactions. Others are designed to help you with personnel issues (as
you begin to hire folks to help you expand your business). So, before you
buy, our best advice is to make sure the software contains the reference
material best suited for your needs.
That's about it....let's go!
Some vendors offer more than one package in this
category. We'll review them in table format within that manufacturer's
detailed review.
1,200
legal templates and letters covering - Estate Planning, Estate
Administration, Credit, personal Finance, Consumer, Employment, Real
Estate Sale/Purchase, Landlord/Tenant, Sales/Leases, Corporate, Business
Finance
Tools for editing and collaborating - export to RTF and email,
Electronic Signature Service
Web Resources - access to live legal help, automatic updates for up to
12 months, Secure Online Document storage and sharing, connection to
additional help on a variety of topics
Legal Resources - Business Law Resources including Business Formations
Guide and Business Selector, The Plain Language Law Dictionary with
definitions of more than 7,000 legal terms, Educational and
informational videos from Harvard Law Professor Arthur Miller, The
Estate Planning Companion, Interest Vision Financial Calculator
270 legal templates and letters covering - Estate
Planning, Estate Administration, Credit, Personal Finance, Real Estate
Sale/Purchase, Landlord/Tenant
Tools for Editing and Collaborating - Word Processor,
export to RTF and email
Web Resources - live legal help, automatic updates
for up to 12 months, secure online document storage and sharing, connect
to additional help online
Additional Resources - The Plain Language Law
Dictionary with 7,000 legal terms, educational and informational videos
from Harvard Law Professor Arthur Miller, The Estate Planning Companion,
Interest Vision Financial Calculator
100 legal templates and letters for estate planning
Tools for editing and collaborating - built-in Word
Processor, export to RTF
Additional Resources - The Estate Planning Companion,
educational and informational videos from Harvard Law Professor Arthur
Miller
Time Savings -
更更
If
you need some simple legal documents or just to understand the "legalese" in a
document from another source, this reference software will be a huge help and
big time saver.
Ease of Use - @@@@
Broderbund's software is focused on consumers markets - it is designed for ease
of use.
Works With -
YYY
Broderbund's legal software is designed for the Windows environment
only.
Support
-
pp1/2
When you
purchase
inexpensive
software
you
shouldn't
expect
much in
the way of
technical
support.
Broderbund's
implementation
is a great
example of
this
methodology.
If you
need help
- the web
is your
only
option.
And, when
we went
there and
attempted
to find
help for a
couple of
the
software
packages,
one of
them
wasn't
even
listed!
You'd
better
hope that
the
software
works on
your
system, or
you've
just
thrown
your money
away.
Features - iiii
Lots of good reference material - the
financial planner and business formation guide are nice plusses in Home and
Business Lawyer.
Overall Rating
- %%%%
Broderbund's legal software provides
solid legal reference material. The dictionary alone is helpful, but when
combined with the forms and financial planner, combine to make very cost effective software packages.
Cosmi's legal software products are easy to install and
use.
Cost - $$$$
Perfect Attorney
Platinum is priced at $29.99, Perfect Wills,
Living Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning is $29.99.
Software
Price
O/S Supported
Overview
Features
Compatibility
Perfect
Attorney Platinum
$29.99
Windows 98 or
higher
Legal
Software
Legal search
Multimedia
Video help
Forms and
documents for legal emergencies including arrest, credit problems, fraud
4,000
customizable legal documents
Bankruptcy and
copyright forms
Trademarks and
Tax forms
Contents:
Wills and Living Wills, Trusts, Do-It-Yourself Divorce, Credit Repair,
Tax Related Forms, Copyright, Patents and Trademarks, Real Estate,
Identity Theft, Marriage and Pre-marriage, Child Custody, Nondisclosure,
Veterans Benefits, Legal Emergencies, Lending and Borrowing, Power of
Attorney, Internet Law
Perfect Wills, Living Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
$29.99
Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP
Legal Software
200 custom legal documents - wills, living wills,
trusts, living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives
Document creation wizard for customization
Document editor
Save as PDF
Video self-help for professional advice, legal
strategies, explains legal terms
Time Savings -
更更
If
you need some simple legal documents or just to understand the "legalese" in a
document from another source, this reference software will be a huge help and
big time saver.
Ease of Use - @@@@
Cosmi's software is focused on consumers markets - it is designed for ease
of use.
Works With -
YYY
Cosmi's software products are designed for the Windows environment
only.
Support
-
ppp
Cosmi's tech support area on their web site includes a FAQ,
manuals and software downloads.
We were unable to find the package listed above on the FAQ. We guess
they never
have
problems
with this
software!
Telephone
support is
available
Monday
through
Thursday
8:30 AM to
12 PM and
1 PM to 4
PM Pacific
and
Fridays
8:30 AM to
12 PM.
There is
no toll
free
number, so
you are
responsible
for all
long
distance
charges.
Email
support is
also
available.
Features - iii1/2
Lots of forms to use in a variety of areas.
Overall Rating
- %%%1/2
Lots of legal forms to choose from - business
related ones as well such as copyright, patents and trademarks, nondisclosures
and others.
Competitively priced as well.
H&R Blocks legal products are easy
to install and use.
Cost - $$$$
Home and Business
Attorney is priced at $39.95, WILLPower at $19.95, Business Attorney at $19.95
and Real Estate Attorney at $19.95.
Software
Price
O/S Supported
Overview
Features
Compatibility
Home and
Business Attorney
$39.95
Windows 2000, XP, Vista
Legal
Software
Home: Real
Estate Essentials, Health and Medical, Finance and Investments, Consumer
and Family Protection, Divorce and Separation Needs
Business:
Financial (guarantees to equipment lease agreements), Sales & Marketing
(advertising agency agreement, exclusive distributorship agreement),
Personnel & Employment (offer of employment form, employee non-compete
form), Sale & Purchase of Goods (bill of sale forms, past due account
notices), Corporate Documentation (operating agreement, partnership
agreement, asset purchase agreement), Business Real Estate (commercial
lease agreement, eviction notice worksheet)
WILLPower
$19.95
Windows 2000, XP, Vista
Legal
Software
Guides user
through primary estate planning including wills, living trust
Power of
Attorney
Memorial planner
Executor
checklist, stock power, confirmation of assets
Business Attorney
$19.95
Windows 2000, XP, Vista
Legal
Software
Customizable
Simple
Corporate - worksheets for LLC, corporation and
partnership
Employment - guidance and forms for hiring of
employees and contractors, forms and documents for managing staff
Financial - filing for bankruptcy, business loan
applications and more
Forms included: Agreement to Cancel Lease,
Annual Corporate Report Request, Articles of Incorporation for Delaware,
Articles of Incorporation Worksheet, Bad Check Notice, Bankruptcy
Worksheet, Bill of Sale, Bill of Sale - Motor Vehicle, Birth or Death
Certificates Request, business Entity Planning Worksheet, Business Fact
Sheet, Business Loan Application, Clearance - Video or Audio Clips,
Complaint Letter to a Company, Complaint Letter to BBB or Attorney
General, Complaint to Landlord, Confidentiality Agreement, Consignment
Agreement, Consulting Agreement, Consumer Information Catalog, Copyright
Application, Copyright Notice, Corporate Bylaws, Corporate Proxy,
Corporate Records, Credit - Challenge to a Denial of Credit, Credit Card
Inquiry, Credit Report Challenge, Credit Report Request, Day Care
Contract, Day Care Policy Statement, Defending a Business Lawsuit,
Demand for Money Owed, Direct Mail Advertising Request, Dispute
Fraudulent Bank Transaction, Dispute Fraudulent Credit Card Transaction,
Employee Tracker, Employee Warning Letter, Employment Acceptance Letter,
Employment Agreement, Employment Agreement - Quick Form, Employment
Application, Employment Confirmation Letter, Employment Resignation
Letter, Employment Verification Letter, End User License Agreement,
Equipment Lease, Exhibit, FBI/CIA Records Request, Freedom of
Information Appeal, Freedom of Information Request, Free-Form Letter,
General Contract for Products, General Contract for Services, General
Receipt, Government Printing Office Information, Guaranty Agreement, ID
Theft Affidavit, Landlord's Notice to Enter, Late Rent Notice, Letter to
Government Official, License Agreement, Limited Liability Company
Worksheet, Mechanic's Lien Waiver, Minutes, Non-Compete Agreement,
Nondisclosure Agreement, Notice of Contract Default, Notice of Contract
Termination, Notice of Meeting, Organization Information Request,
Organizational Consent, Partnership Worksheet, Past Due Letter - 30-Day,
Past Due Letter - 60-Day, Past Due Letter - 90-Day, Personal Fact Sheet,
Power of Attorney - Durable General, Power of Attorney - Durable
Special, Power of Attorney - General, Power of Attorney - Revocation,
Power of Attorney - Special, Promissory Note - Due on Demand (Business),
Promissory Note - Due on Specific Date, Promissory Note - General, Real
Estate Lease - Apartment, Real Estate Lease - Commercial, Real Estate
Lease - Quick Form, Real Estate Lease - Residential, Release for Use of
Likeness, Release of Liability, Rental Application, Renter's Inspection
Worksheet, Report Lost or Stolen Passport, Request a New Account
Number, Request for Bank or Credit Reference, Request Help Toward
Promotion, Request to Cancel Credit Card, Request to Link to Website,
Request to Remove Name from Direct Marketing List, Request to Repair
Item Under Warranty, Response to Payment Request, Sale of Business
Assets Worksheet, Small Claims Worksheet, Social Security Earnings and
Benefits Letter, State Lemon Law Information, Stock Certificate, Stop
Payment on Check, Subcontractor Agreement, Trademark Application
Worksheet, Trademark Violation Letter, Unanimous Consent, Waiver of
Notice, Website Design Agreement, Work for Hire Agreement
Real Estate Attorney
$19.95
Windows 2000, XP, Vista
Legal
Software
Customizable
Buying a Home - guidance, worksheet
Selling a Home - worksheets and documents to help
sale of residence
Renting or Leasing Property
Landlord
Forms Included - Agreement to Cancel Lease, Bill of
Sale, Bill of Sale - Motor Vehicle, Buy-Sell Agreement, Complaint to a
Landlord, Equipment Lease, Eviction Notice Worksheet, General Receipt,
Home Evaluation Worksheet, Home Inventory Worksheet, Home Purchase
Worksheet, Home Sale Worksheet, Homeowners' Association Proxy, Intent to
Purchase Real Estate, Landlord's Notice to Enter, Late Rent Notice,
Moving Checklist, Real Estate Lease - Apartment, Real Estate Lease -
Commercial, Real Estate Lease - Quick Form, Real Estate Lease -
Residential, Rental Application, Renter's Inspection Worksheet, Security
Deposit Refund Letter, Sublease Agreement - Residential, Tenant's Notice
to Terminate Tenancy
Time Savings -
更更
If
you need some simple legal documents or just to understand the "legalese" in a
document from another source, this reference software will be a huge help and
big time saver.
Ease of Use - @@@@
The
on-screen advice and pop-up legal definitions are nice usability features.
Videos are also well done and helpful in understanding how to complete the legal
forms accurately.
Works With -
YYY
H&R
Blocks legal software is designed for the Windows environment.
Support
-
pppp
The H&R Block web site has tons of good information
as well as
answer
technical
questions
you might
have
regarding
their
software
or
service.
Tools &
Tips,
customer
support,
all have a
wealth of
information
in them.
If you run
into
something
that the
knowledge
base or
FAQ can't
answer,
you can
email
technical
support.
They
guarantee
a 48 hour
turn
around to
your
question.
Features - iiii
Home & Business Attorney's big
differentiators are the extensive legal library included on the CD as well as
the onscreen advice, pop-ups and videos to help you understand the legal
requirements of the forms/documents you are producing. WILLPower provides
most everything you'll need for estate planning. Business Attorney has
tons of good forms you'll need for your business and Real Estate Attorney
provides the forms and guidance you'll need for both personal and business real
estate transactions.
Overall Rating
- %%%%
Home & Business Attorney, Business Attorney
and Real Estate Attorney re
solid legal reference choices. Very usable, full of good material. WILLPower is a good estate planning tool.
If
you need some simple legal documents or just to understand the "legalese" in a
document from another source, this reference software will be a huge help and
big time saver.
Ease of Use - @@@@
Just
open the document and start editing as required.
Works With -
YYYY
Agreement Builder is designed for both Windows and Macintosh environments.
Support
-
pppp
The tech support area on the Jian web site includes a FAQ,
software downloads, demos and tutorials and expert help. If you need more
help, you can email or call technical support on their "800" number.
Features - iiii
Most of the contracts and agreements you'll
need to run your business. Wealth of documents.
Overall Rating
- %%%%
Nice to have in your "back pocket" as you
begin - or grow - your business.
My Business Kit's Business Legalities
Software is easy to set up for use.
Cost - $$$$
Business
Legalities is priced at $19.95.
Software
Price
O/S Supported
Overview
Features
Compatibility
Business
Legalities
$19.95
Windows
Legal
Software
Essentials to
get a business into operation
Detailed
information on choosing the right business structure
Links to online
articles and resources
Business
Start-up Articles and Resources - Choosing a Business Structure;
Business Name/DBA Choosing & Registration; Directory of Individual State
Business License Information
Incorporating
Contracts & Forms (LLCs, Corporations) - Pre-Incorporation Agreement,
Operating Agreement, Articles of Organization, Bylaws, Application to
Reserve a Corporate Name, Shareholder Agreement, Stock Purchase
Agreement, Stock Certificate Agreement
Internet & Web
Development Agreements and Contracts - Privacy Terms Agreement
Real Estate
Contracts and Forms - Real Estate Purchase Agreement, Quit-Claim Deed,
Residential Lease Agreement (Rental), Rental Application Form, Change in
Rent Letter, Demand for Rent Letter, Bad Check Letter, Business Lease
Checklist
General Business
Contracts & Forms - Power of Attorney, Certificate of Dissolution, Offer
to Purchase Business, Confidentiality Agreement, Nondisclosure
Agreement, Request to Reprint Copyrighted Material, Advertising
Agreement, Subcontract Agreement, Independent Agreement, Independent
Contractor Agreement, Independent Contractor Employment Agreement,
Independent Contractor Non-compete Agreement
Meeting Notes
Forms - Minutes of Organization Meeting of Board of Directors, Minutes
of First Board of Directors Meeting, Minutes of Board of Directors
Annual Meeting, Minutes of Special Board of Directors Meeting, Minutes
of First Shareholders Meeting, Minutes of Shareholders Annual Meeting,
Minutes of Special Shareholders Meeting
Microsoft Word, Notepad
Time Savings -
更更
Business Legalities can be a big help in getting through all of the paperwork
associated with setting up a business.
Ease of Use - @@@@
Just
open the documents and start editing as required.
Works With -
YYY
Business Legalities is designed for the Windows environment.
Support
-
ppp
The tech support area of the web site has a basic FAQ. If you need more
help, you can email My Business Kit (response in 48 to 72 hours) or call their
main number (no "800" number) and hope for the best.
Features - iii1/2
A software solution focused on the legal
requirements of starting a business. After that, you'll need another
package - or an attorney - or both.
Prevent
employees from creating or working for a competing business
Protect client
lists, secret recipes, techniques
Some states
limit the viability of this document - California, Alabama, Colorado,
Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas
5 bestsellers - Legal Guide for Starting & Running a
Small Business, Tax Savvy for Small Business, The Manager's Legal
Handbook, Negotiate the Best Lease for Your Business, Marketing Without
Advertising
Downloadable legal updates throughout 2008
Downloadable edition of Investors in Your Backyard
Forms included - How to Write a Business Plan, How to
Choose an Ownership Structure, How to Choose a Business Name, How to
Form an LLC, How to Form a Corporation, How to Find a Business Location,
How to Obtain Necessary Licenses & Permits, How to Obtain Insurance, How
to Set Up Tax Reporting & Accounting, How to Hire Workers, How to Close
a Business, How to Sell a Business, Amendment to Contract (General),
Attachment to Contract (General), Bill of Sale for Business Assets,
Contract for Purchase of Corporate Assets, Contract for Purchase of
Corporate Stock, Contract for Purchase of Unincorporated Business,
Corporate Resolution Authorizing Sale of Assets, Security Agreement for
Buying Business Assets, Seller's Affidavit: No Creditors,
Amendment to Bill of Sale for Goods, Consignment Contract, Contract for
Manufacture of Goods, Contract for Services, Equipment Rental Contract,
Invoice, Proposal, Request for Proposal, Sales Contract (Installment
Payments), Sales Contract (Lump-Sum Payment), Security Agreement for
Buying Goods, Storage Contract, Consent of Directors, Consent of
Shareholders, Minutes of Directors' Meeting, Minutes of Shareholders'
Meeting, Minutes of Telephone Conference Directors' Meeting, Notice of
Directors' Meeting, Notice of Shareholders' Meeting, Shareholder Proxy,
Affidavit of Lost Stock Certificate, Amendment to Contract, Corporate
Bylaws, Operating Agreement for Single-Member LLC, Partnership
Agreement, Pre-Incorporation Agreement, Stock Agreement, Authorization
to Release Information, Confidentiality Agreement, Contract with
Independent Contractor, Employment Application, Non-compete Agreement,
Offer of Employment USCIS I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification,
Amendment to Lease, Assignment of Lease, Attachment to Lease, Extension
of Lease, Gross Lease, Landlord's Consent to Sublease, net Lease for
Entire Building, Net Lease for Part of Building, Notice of Exercise of
Lease Option, Sublease, Consent of LLC Members, Minutes of LLC Meeting,
Notice of LLC Meeting, Limited Power of Attorney for Finances,
Promissory Note (Amortized Payments), Promissory Note (Balloon Payment),
Promissory Note (One Lump-Sum Payment), Promissory Note (Payments of
Interest Only), Security Agreement for Borrowing Money, Amendment to
Real Estate Purchase Contract, Attachment to Real Estate Purchase
Contract, Contract to Purchase a Building, Contract to Purchase Vacant
Land, Exercise of Option to Purchase Real Estate, Extension of Time to
Remove Contingencies, Option to Purchase a Building, Option to Purchase
Vacant Land, Removal of Contingency Notice, IRS 1040-ES Estimated Tax
for Individuals, IRS 1040 Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business -
Sole Proprietorship, IRS 1040, Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax, IRS
1040 Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss, IRS 1065, Schedule K-1,
Partner's Share of Income, IRS 1065, U.S. Partnership Return of Income,
IRS 1120-A, Corporation Short-Form Income Tax Return, IRS 1120S Income
Tax Return for an S Corporation, IRS 1120S, Schedule K-1, Shareholder's
Share of Income, IRS 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, IRS
4562, Depreciation and Amortization, IRS 4797, Sales of Business
Property, IRS 8300, Report of Cash Payments over $10,000, Received in a
Trade or Business, IRS 8594, Asset Acquisition Statement, IRS 8716,
Election to Have a Tax Year Other Than a Required Tax Year, IRS 8821,
Tax Information Authorization, IRS 8822, Change of Address, IRS 8829,
Expenses for Business Use of Your Home, IRS 8832, Entity Classification
Election, RIS 940, Employer Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return, IRS
941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, IRS SS0-4, Application for
EIN, IRS W-4, Employee Withholding Allowance, IRS W089, Request for
Taxpayer ID and Certification, Sample Letters & Policies, Collection
Letters, Bad Check Notice, Confidentiality Letter, Contract Letter,
credit Application, Demand Letter, Assuring Your Customers about the
Quality of Your Goods/Services, Encouraging Customer Referrals,
Evaluating Walk-In Accessibility, Evaluating Your Business's Physical
Appearance, Evaluating Your Pricing Policy, Marketing Event Worksheet
May include plans and specifications for improvements
to be made by you or landlord, drawing showing the exact location of
your space in a building, or a list of new equipment that the landlord
will provide
Explains options regarding compensating employees,
including the deductibility of expenses, benefits and insurance premiums
Overview of various retirement plans available to
corporations
Documentation for delegation of authority to an
employee
29 forms - Approval of Hiring Corporate Employee,
Approval of Bonuses and Salary Increases, Shareholder Ratification of
Employee Pay, Approval of Independent Contractor Services, Appointment
of Corporate Officers, Authorization of Payment for Attending Meetings,
Approval of Director or Officer Stipend for Attendance at Meetings,
Indemnification and Insurance for Directors and Officers, Authorization
of Health, Accident or Disability Insurance for Employees, Adoption of
Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Plan, Approval of Purchase of Group
Term Life Insurance, Authorization of Employee Death Benefit, Agreement
Regarding Death Benefits, Approval of Purchase or Lease of Company Car,
Authorization of Mileage Allowance Payments to Employees, Business Meal
Expense Allotment for Employees, Authorization of On-Premises Meals and
Lodging for Employees, Authorization of Corporate Credit Cards for
Employees, Authorization of Reimbursement Plan for Travel and
Entertainment Expenses, Authorization of Per Diem Travel Allowance for
Employees, Board Approval of Stock Bonus or Stock Option Plan, Board of
Directors Adoption of Retirement Plan, Board of Directors Adoption of
Profit Sharing Plan, Shareholder Ratification of Retirement Plan,
Delegation of Authority to Corporate Employee, Director Ratification of
Employee's Acts, Board Ratification of Employee's Contract, Rescission
of Authority of Employee, Ratification of Director Decisions and/or
Employee Acts by Shareholders
