HOW DO I SAVE ONE OF THE LEGAL FORMS TO MY HARD DRIVE?
You can save any of the forms offered within the software directly to your hard drive, thereby bypassing the need to access the index.html menu each time.
After locating the appropriate form and file format within the software, RIGHT-CLICK on the link for the form you want to save. Then select "Save Target As" and select the destination to where you want to save the form on your PC. (The desktop or My Documents is our suggestion.)
Once you have completed this process, you can access the saved form directly: simply double-click this saved form will launch the appropriate program (Word, Acrobat, or some other word processing program) and then the file itself.
Note: if you choose to use these instructions, you must carefully read the Start Here and Introduction instructions provided, as they are critical to completing the forms and using them properly.
WHY CAN'T I OPEN A MICROSOFT WORD FORM?
Once you've downloaded the forms, you must open a Word form using the commercial Microsoft Word program. (You cannot use "Works" or another sample version of Word, as the form field feature is required, which is available only in the full version of Word.)
Many times a computer's settings dictate what program will be used to open a particular file type. Most often, .doc files or .dot files (document template) will automatically open in Microsoft Word, since that file extension is designated specifically for Word. (The .txt files may open in Word, WordPad, NotePad, or whatever primary word processing program installed on your system besides Word.)
If you have Microsoft Word installed on your machine but clicking on a form's link to launch one of the Word documents doesn't launch the program, then check your system's Help Section to learn how to associate programs with certain file extensions.
You can also simply launch Word, select Open, and browse your way to the form you wish to open.
The same scenario applies if you have a word processing program other than Microsoft Word. Right-click the link for one of the Straight Text (.txt) files, then launch your word processing program, or select Open from inside that program then browse your way through your hard drive to the location of the file you just resaved, selecting the file to open it.
WHY CAN'T I OPEN A PDF FORM?
Once you've downloaded the forms, you can access any of the PDF forms using the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader program. (You may also use the commercial version of Adobe Acrobat or another PDF program, but Reader is free and is the most commonly used.)
Many times a computer's settings dictate what program will be used to open a particular file type. Most often, all .pdf files will automatically open using Acrobat Reader, since the .pdf file extension is designated specifically for Acrobat.
If you have Acrobat Reader installed on your machine but clicking on a form's link to launch one of the PDF documents doesn't launch the program, then check your system's Help Section to learn how to associate programs with certain file extensions.
You can also simply launch Reader or Acrobat, select Open, and browse your way to the form you wish to open.
HOW DO I CHANGE / CUSTOMIZE THE BASELINE CONTENT OF THE LEGAL FORMS?
The Microsoft Word and PDF versions of the legal documents are set up so that the only content changes that are required are done so in the "fill-in-the-blank" boxes. This recommended use ensures that the legal context is correct as written by our attorneys, while still allowing the user to add in the custom portions that are necessary. To add custom content to these fill-in-the-blank boxes, simply insert your cursor into the box and type your answer. Then use the TAB key to move to the next box.
IF YOU DECIDE THAT YOU MUST MAKE CHANGES TO ANY OF THE STOCK CONTENT WITHIN A FORM, you can do so (but we do not recommend it).
MICROSOFT WORD (pre-2007 version): If you are using the Microsoft Word version of the forms and have a copy of the Microsoft Word program that is OLDER than the 2007 version: Under VIEW>TOOL BARS, check the FORMS box. A new toolbar will be opened at the top of your screen. One of these tools is a lock, which will appear as selected. You can unselect this lock to access the content of the form and change it. Once you have finished making these content changes, you must select the lock again to access the fill-in-the-blank boxes properly.
Microsoft Word 2007: To unlock and edit a Standard Legal Microsoft Word forms field document using Microsoft Word 2007:
1. Open Document
2. Select Office Button - Top Left
3. Select 'Word Options' - Bottom Right
4. Select 'Popular' - Top Left
5. Click 'Show Developer Tab'
6. Select OK
7. Developer Tab appears top right Navbar
8. Find 'Protect Document' Tab and Select
9. Select 'Restrict Format Editing'
10. Note New Side bar - Bottom Right
11. Select 'Stop Protection'
12. Document is ready to edit.
PDF: Only those with the full version of Adobe Acrobat can edit the baseline content. See the editing information under Help within Acrobat for instructions on making text edits.
Again, while we recommend that you leave the form locked, the option for editing the baseline content does exist.
Note that you can also use the STRAIGHT TEXT version of any of the forms (when available) to make any changes to the baseline content. Simply open the text file in your word processing program, place your answers on the lines provide (deleting the unused parts of the lines as you go), then change any of the other text that you want to customize. Then print out the customized documents.
I CAN'T ENTER ANY ANSWER INTO A FIELD WITHIN A WORD FORM
The "lock" for this Microsoft Word form may be undone. Under VIEW>TOOL BARS, check the FORMS box. A new toolbar will be opened at the top of your screen. One of the available tools is a lock. If this lock is not selected (pressed down), then click on it to lock the form. You should then be able to enter an answer into a form field.
WHAT IF I NEED MORE HELP?
SUPPORT: If you have any problems with the download and/or installation of this software, feel free to email us at
. While we cannot provide to you any legal advice, our tech team will answer your download or installation questions promptly via email during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Eastern time.
SALES: If you have a sales related inquiry, please email
. Or you may call 1-888-888-7712 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Eastern time. Note that no technical support will be provided at this toll free number!
