Abacus Law - Legal Software assessment quiz

Assessment Tool

Use this tool to determine your need for Legal Practice Management Software.

Use a scale of 0 (low) to 5 (high) in scoring the following:

Score

1. Most law firms have pocket calendars, desk calendars, and a master calendar which all need to be updated and synchronized regularly. Score 5 points if your firm has three or more calendars, down to 0 points if everyone shares a central computer-based calendar.

2. Properly calculating deadlines is important, but it doesn't have to be tedious. Score 5 points if you count days on your fingers, down to 0 points if your computer flawlessly calculates deadlines adjusting for court holidays.

3. Court rules dictate deadlines. Score 5 points if you need to look up the rules when calendaring, down to 0 points if you have software with built-in court rules that automatically calendars all deadlines related to a trigger event (i.e., trial date or filing complaint).

4. I'll have to "pull the file" and get back to you. Score 5 points if matter notes or client information (name, address, phone numbers) is stored in paper files, down to 0 points if it's all at your fingertips with just a mouse click.

5. Doing the work then having to refund the fee because of a conflict of interest really sucks. Score 5 points either if you don't bother or you rely on memory for checking conflicts of interest, down to 0 points if your computer checks every name, note, matter, and calendar event you've ever had in seconds.

6. Failing to return phone calls is the biggest client complaint that leads to malpractice claims. Score 5 points if you're so busy you sometimes don't get around to returning calls, down to 0 points if you have the technology that lets your staff handle the initial call so you seldom have any to return.

7. Once information is "in the system" like an address or case caption, it should be usable without retyping. Score 5 points if you ever have to type or update addresses twice, down to 0 points if you can assemble documents without typing at all.

8. Time recording needs to be accurate, flexible and easy. Score 5 points if you have to switch programs or systems to record your time, down to 0 points if you can click to record time, can apply simple codes that expand to full explanations on your statements and can bill at different rates per attorney (based on the case or client).

9. Invoices need to be easy to understand for clients, and easy to track/correct for your office. Score 5 points if clients are confused about charges and you have to manually make adjustments, down to 0 points if you can provide a variety of detail on your invoices, easily unpost time/billing when appropriate and get reports on who owes you money, quickly.

10. Ever wake up in the middle of the night wondering what you forgot? Score 5 points if this occurs regularly, down to 0 points if you're handling twice as much as you ever thought possible and still enjoying practicing law.

Click to score your PQ (Practice Quotient)

Scoring:

0 - 10: You're okay with your current procedures. With this score, your decision to upgrade your law office software should be predicated on considering the following: Fully integrated law office software ensures that all functions will work together, you'll only have to train staff on one program, upgrading one package will keep you current and operating well in all functional areas, plus you'll have a single vendor you can go to for information or help, when needed.

10 - 20: Your current systems meet many, but not all, of your law practice management needs. If you're going to grow, getting law practice software now would be a smart move. Our software tour will help you become familiar with the features and benefits available in law practice management software. Take the tour >>

20 - 30: Your plate is full, and mistakes are inevitable. You can grow without increasing your risk of mistakes if you first implement law practice software. You need to be familiar with how a specific software solution can benefit you. Our products page will give you an overview of solutions and access to further information on each. Products and Info >>

30 - 40: You're frequently putting out fires and operating outside of your comfort zone. Get off the treadmill. You should have implemented law practice software before now. Do it now, before it's too late. Call us (800) 726-3339 or contact us via email and we will help you assess your situation.

40 - 50: You've got a number of things to do to get your practice under control and return to enjoying life. An integrated software program (like AbacusLaw Gold) will make your life simpler, reduce your risks of malpractice, raise the professional level of your office and let you concentrate on practicing law. Call us (800) 726-3339 or contact us via email and you'll be well on your way to an enhanced law practice.

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