Using HotDocs
Automated Document Assembly Program
We have posted test versions of several streamlined "HotDocs interviews." This is an
"automated document assembly" program. It uses your answers to a series of questions
to populate the empty fields on a court form. We've also used this technology to estimate
the amount food stamps or TANF you may qualify to receive. We hope to be using this software
to prepare more self-help forms and standard legal advice.
Here are some tips for using our HotDocs interviews:
- Browser requirements. You must be using Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher. An older version of IE
does not work. Also, you cannot use Firefox or other internet browsers.
- Basics about the using the HotDocs interview website. When you click on a link to go to an interview, you will be
traveling to a national legal services website. This site is secure. No one can see the information
that you enter there. You can enter the site in one of two ways:
- Log on. If you create a name and password for yourself, you
will be able to save your information on the website's server. Again, your answers are private; only
you can see them. Logging in has two advantages: 1) You can come back later and view your earlier answers, add
to them, or change them; 2) If you are preparing a series of court forms, some of your answers will be used
to populate more than one form. So, if you are preparing several forms that all require your name, you will
only have to type in your name once and it will appear on all your forms.
- Do not log on.You do not have to log on. You can go straight to an interview, answer the questions,
then view your form. If you choose this option, your answers will not be saved.
- Secure/non-sure pop-up notice. Next you will be asked to agree to the site rules. You can review and "agree." Next, you
may see a pop-up window that asks you if you want to enter a site with both secure and unsecured data; it is safe to say "yes."
- During the interview. Next you will asked a series of questions. Just type in your answers, or choose your answer
from a dropdown menu when one is offered. Sometimes you will see question marks that you can click on for help. Also,
you'll sometimes see help information at the bottom of your screen. Make sure that you are seeing all of the questions and fields.
You may want to enlarge your screen using the enlarge icon in the upper right hand corner, to make sure that you are seeing
all of the questions and answer fields. Or you can scroll down or to the right, to make sure questions or answer fileds aren't
hidden from your view.
- End of interview. When you have answered all of the questions, you will be prompted to open your form for viewing.
You can view it, print it, or save it to your computer. If logged in, you can also save your answers.
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