Technology for Divorce Lawyers: What You Need to Know to Become a Premier Family Lawyer

Technology for Associates — What You Need to Know to Become a Premier Family Lawyer

By: Gunnar J. Gitlin
The Gitlin Law Firm, Woodstock, Illinois
© 2009
www.gitlinlawfirm.com

I. INTRODUCTION

In the 21^st Century family lawyers must make use of technology. I will briefly review the use of technology for a divorce lawyer. Remember, your partner may not be as up to speed with technology as he or she may expect you to be. I will give you an outline of technology that you should incorporate into your practice:

II. OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS AND TECHNOLOGY:

A. PDA Phone: Don't just buy a pdf phone use one. The phones of choice are the I-Phone, Blackberry and the newest generation of the PalmPilot. The key is to link your calendar and your contacts database with your phone so that you keep them up to date.

B. TimeSlips: It should go without saying that it is critical to enter timeslips immediately after you do the work, or actually while you do the work. Studies show that if you insert your time later in the day, inevitably you will not record all the time that you spent in the given day on billable tasks.

1. With the program, keep track each day of your daily time.

2. Also, keep a running tab of your weekly time. In Timeslips, use the feature under Show Slips under date range and select the date range for the current relative week for beginning and ending and select yourself as the timekeeper. This will then give you a running tab instantly for your time for the week — both billable and unbillable.

3. Don't leave for the day unless you are meeting your billable hourly goals.

C. Spreadsheets: Perhaps most important than any other program is learning how to use spreadsheets. In any case, the associate should prepare a spreadsheet of assets and liabilities and keep the spreadsheet updated. Other uses for spreadsheets include:

1. Interest spreadsheets for arrearage calculations;

2. Spreadsheets for net income calculations;

3. Spreadsheets providing for comparative earning histories of the parties during the marriage (often taken from social security records);

4. Spreadsheets providing for an informal present value (in-house) of defined benefit plans;

5. Spreadsheets for determining a “buy out” of the future stream of payments with respect to alimony (spousal support);

D. Internet:

1. Legal Research: Know how to use the Internet for legal research. If you are not using Lexis or Westlaw, use FastCase through the ISBA. Use the ability to print cases to Word -- and save the pertinent portion of those cases that you need. This works perfectly in conjunction with the Gitlin on Divorce Research System.

2. Links: Learn the links which will help your practice. See my links page at: http://www.gitlinlawfirm.com/Divlinks.htm My links page provides an overview of various uses you can make of the Internet.

E. Net Income Calculation Program:

1. I use both FinPlan: http://www.divorceplanner.com/ and Family Law Software. While Dennis Casty was at the helm of FinPlan, this software remained the state of the art in Illinois. Family Law Software's program offers unique capabilities for Illinois lawyers.

2. Use this program actively in your practice even if not necessary for child support calculations. It will make you a better lawyer in areas such as unallocated family support, allocation of dependency exemptions, value of credits, the help as to tax law issues, etc.

F. Use Kidmate: http://www.kidmate.com/

1. Your use of Kidmate will allow you to generate parenting schedules color coded, learn when your parenting schedule as written is not what you intended, etc.

G. Use Presentation Software:

1. Create Slide Shows: Partners often will not know how to use such software. As an associate you should be able to create a slide show for your partners presentations. You should also be able to create your own presentations for groups such as your bar associations young lawyers, etc. These programs are remarkably easy to use with practice.

2. Remote Mouse: Use a remote mouse. It allows you not to be tethered to the podium.

3. Don't Rely on the Software: Remember, technology can fail. Always be prepared to go either way.

The Gitlin Law Firm provides the above information as a service to potential and current clients. A person's accessing the information contained in this web site, is not considered as retaining The Gitlin Law Firm for any case nor is it considered as providing legal advice. The Gitlin Law Firm cannot guarantee the outcome of any case.

The Gitlin Law Firm
Practice Limited to Family Law
663 East Calhoun Street
Woodstock, IL 60098
815/338-9401