Will EZ-Filing, Inc. issue an upgrade for the new median income tables? Yes. The United States Trustees office has published the new median income tables and an electronic update is available through the EZ-Filing® software. V2007 will be released by February 1, 2007.
Can I install the stand alone version on my network, on my home computer, or my laptop? Yes. EZ-Filing, Inc. has by far the most liberal license agreement of any bankruptcy software vendor. You can install a stand-alone edition on as many computers as you have in your office without purchasing additional licenses—you license the office, not the individual computers. You also can install the program on your home computer or laptop for working away from the office. You can install the program on a network server, but only one user can access the program at a time unless you license the Network Edition, which enables unlimited simultaneous access to the program and even to the same client files. Adding more users to the network requires no extra licensing fees. Some software vendors charge extra for each user on the network—but why have a network license that limits the number of users? And why beg a software vendor for the privilege of using their product? EZ-Filing could not be any easier to install and run or any simpler to understand.
Congress may change the bankruptcy code. Is my software obsolete at that point and do I have to purchase a new license when the changes go into effect? No. EZ-Filing, Inc. is on an automatic-notification list from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts; therefore, we become aware of form changes before they are actually approved and implemented. The first year of support services is included in the initial software license. During that 12-month period, we send to you-free of charge-software updates reflecting any changes that occur. After the first year, you can continue your support subscription from as little as $149 per year (depending on your package). This not only includes all enhancements and upgrades, but also toll-free priority telephone support. You won't find an easier-to-understand or lower-priced support service package with any other bankruptcy software vendor.
Do you have the latest forms? Yes. We always have the latest form revisions available. See the previous question for more detail.
How can I insert other attachments for filing electronically? Scanning! EZ-Filing has the unique feature of accepting scanned documents directly into the forms list for converting to PDF for electronic filing. Create a new case form, or attach an exhibit to an existing official form. Some districts even require scanned signature pages authenticating the debtors signatures for electronic filing, and with the scanning feature, this requirement is easy to fulfill. Back to Top
Do you have a client questionnaire? Yes. EZ-Filing's client questionnaire mirrors the data entry screens, making input a snap!
What are my shipping and payment options? We process software orders the day we are receive them, and ship them FedEx Next Day Air absolutely FREE. To have your order processed and shipped as soon as possible, use any major credit card and order by phone or on-line using the Order page. If you prefer not to use a credit card, you can mail us a company check, and we will process and ship your order the day we receive it.
Is the program difficult to get used to? What kind of learning should I anticipate? EZ-Filing is the most intuitive program available—when we designed it, ease of use was a major focus. EZ-Filing, Inc. has a "no constraints" policy, which means every new enhancement has been tested to ensure we are in no way limiting your accessibility or the functionality that you expect. For example, the program offers you a choice of data-entry methods: use the mouse, the keyboard, or a combination of both—there is no place in EZ-Filing where you are constrained to use one or the other. Ease of learning, of course, depends on your computer proficiency: if you're familiar with the Windows environment, it's doubtful that you would spend more than 20 minutes getting used to the software—it is that easy to operate. The tool bar is an excellent way to navigate through the program's sections, and each section corresponds to a schedule. Furthermore, you only answer questions that pertain to your client, saving you valuable time.
What other software do I need to run EZ-Filing? None. EZ-Filing is truly the only "stand alone" bankruptcy-forms-preparation-software. Other bankruptcy software programs require you to use WordPerfect or Microsoft Word to generate documents. Some even require you buy Adobe Acrobat Writer to create PDF files for electronic filing. With EZ-Filing, the forms print directly from the program. Furthermore, there is a correspondence section for creating and sending letters to creditors or clients. There is also a Chapter 13 plan editor for customizing a plan and saving it for use with any client file—a feature that no other software vendor can offer. Simply put, EZ-Filing is the only program that handles all your bankruptcy-filing needs.
Does the program require the use of a mouse? No. EZ-Filing is what we call "rodent-free"—you can navigate through any screen without the use of a mouse. Some software vendors advertise their programs as "not mouse-intensive" or as having the "most keyboard shortcuts"; however, most of them require you to memorize pages of hotkeys and keystroke combinations to fulfill these promises. EZ-Filing is the only program that does not put any artificial constraints on you or your practice.
Does EZ-Filing maintain a list of common creditors? Yes. EZ-Filing keeps track of the response you enter for every area that requires a name and address, and those names and addresses are accessible for use in other areas of the program. EZ-Filing is also the only program that has an auto-purge feature that removes unused names and addresses according to user-defined settings. This assures that your list always has the most accurate information. EZ-Filing can also convert most common creditor lists from other software programs for use in EZ-Filing, making the transition to the program as effortless as possible.
What about copying a client file or moving a file from my home computer to the office computer? EZ-Filing has several file-maintenance features for moving your data. Standard file-maintenance protocols are available for copying, renaming, and deleting client files. There is a convenient Back Up/Restore utility to easily transport files from one computer to another using any removable media. There is also a batch Back Up/Restore utility for moving several or all of your client files from one computer to another.
Many of my clients have similar case information. Is there a way to automate the process for repetitive information? Yes. EZ-Filing has a "New Client Default" menu that enables you to enter commonly used information so that the program will automatically include that information whenever you start a new case. It even can automatically answer Question 9 on the Statement of Affairs based on your fee information.
Is there a spell check feature? Yes. EZ-Filing uses the industry standard "F7" key to check the spelling of text fields, which makes accessing the spell-check feature simple to use and easy to remember. You can, however, select a different keystroke if you prefer. Other programs bury this feature or require you to use non-intuitive hotkeys or keystroke combinations.
Can I license the software for only the chapters I file? Yes. EZ-Filing has made the choice of software packages an easy one. Our Liquidation Edition is for preparing only Chapter 7s and our Comprehensive Edition is for preparing all chapters. Some prospective clients ask, "I don't do Chapter 11s—do you have a package for only 7s and 13s?" We’ve chosen not to obfuscate the issue, but to make the choices simple and to keep our prices low: The difference among chapters essentially amounts to only a handful of forms. Offering many package choices—each differing only slightly from the others—actually becomes more restrictive for the user. Once you buy a package that handles 7s and 13s, you will be unable to prepare the occasional Chapter 11 case that might come your way. Additionally, an excessively large number of package choices are actually more expensive to develop and maintain; consequently, offering them forces increased prices. Avoiding this unnecessary development helps us keep down the costs for our software.
Is there a true multi-user network version available? Can I upgrade my current version without having to purchase an entirely new license? Yes. Our Network Edition lets users have unlimited simultaneous access to the program and even to the same client file. Some vendors limit access to just a few workstations and then charge additional licensing fees to allow additional access. EZ-Filing, Inc. believes a network license should not have any artificial constraints. No matter how many workstations are connected to the server, everyone can simultaneously access EZ-Filing, and hey can simultaneously access even access the same client file. You can upgrade your current edition of EZ-Filing to the Network Edition for only the difference in price between the two. There are no hidden costs, extra licensing fees, or multiple support-fee packages—one price gets you all the accessibility your office and staff require, thereby supporting the very nature of network.
Is a Chapter 13 Plan calculator included in the license price? Yes. EZ-Filing's Comprehensive Edition has the most powerful Chapter 13 Plan calculator in the industry. It is the only one that makes all the complex calculations in real time. Its fast, its accurate, and it can not be matched anywhere at any price. Other software programs have buttons or menu items that prompt you to "recalculate" in order to see how your changes effect the plan. And they take minutes, not seconds, to show you the results. EZ-Filing is further unique in that there are no additional fees for local Chapter 13 plans.
What is your support service policy? When you purchase a license for EZ-Filing, you receive (as part of the license price) a 12-month support subscription that ensures that you will receive all enhancements and updates plus toll-free priority telephone support. After the first year, you have two choices to maintain your support subscription. For as little as $149 per year (depending on your package), our electronic update-service subscription provides you with priority telephone support, the receipt of each new version release on CD, and the ability to download from the Internet all incremental updates that become available during your subscription. For as little as $229 per year (depending on your package), our CD update-service subscription provides you with priority telephone support and all new releases sent to you on CD. Other vendors charge as much as $500 per year for using their product. Lastly, EZ-Filing, Inc.'s support program is voluntary. We do not send unsolicited updates and demand you pay for them.
Are there any short cuts or macro type features? Yes. EZ-Filing enables you to define your own shortcut keys using our System Macro feature. But it's not just for key phrases or commonly used text—EZ-Filing also features macros for merge data. For example, you could use [Ctrl]+[R] to insert the debtor's address block.
How easy is it to add additional forms? Quite! EZ-Filing includes a powerful text editor designed for creating client and creditor correspondence, motions, orders, procedural forms, or other documents. For many districts, you can also use the text editor to customize the Chapter 13 Plan format. If you've already created the document you want to add to EZ-Filing, you can save it as an RTF file and import it into EZ-Filing.
How do your forms compare to the Federal Bankruptcy Court Official Forms? The forms produced by EZ-Filing mimic the Federal forms so precisely that it takes an expert to determine which are which. However, EZ-Filing includes a feature that enables the forms to "float," which means they expand and contract to accommodate exactly the information for a given case. Such deviances are allowed under Bankruptcy Rule 9009: "Forms may be combined and their contents rearranged to permit economies in their use."
Is your software approved or recommended by the Bankruptcy Court? Yes. Many bankruptcy courts actually prefer our forms over those of our competitors based on professional presentation and readability. However, the Bankruptcy Courts are prohibited from publicly endorsing a single commercial enterprise; therefore, any vendor that claims their product is the only one recommended by the Bankruptcy Court is not being honest. ©Copyright 2007 EZ-Filing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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