Federal tax returns simplified
Article Abstract:
Probate Software's 706 Plus streamlines both federal and state tax return preparation and is priced at $295 for federal programs and for between $50 and $395 for state applications with discounted prices available. 706 Plus is based on DOS and is easily installed in most computers. The program contains context-sensitive assistance and status information. The latter features cell protection and F1 help to prevent data entry during the program's calculation of taxes and to detail application procedures, respectively. 706 Plus features an innovative Master 706 to view a comprehensive list of all available schedules and assets. The program also includes a Marital Deduction Transfer to facilitate marital deduction funding from one screen. Other convenient features that provide one-screen access include a Community Property Valuation Mode and a Charitable Deduction Valuation Mode. While 706 Plus works with Probate's state estate tax applications, estate tax return preparation is complex.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1997
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Where there's a will
Article Abstract:
The $490 Cowles Estate Planning Practice Development System from Cowles Legal Systems is a complete package that includes Will-Do-It, a tool for creating wills. Users may draw up Q-Tip trust wills, credit shelter trusts, 'sweetheart' wills, marital deduction trusts and others. On-line help gives users legal information on each phrase that is proposed for inclusion in the will. This contextual help is invaluable, since it provides the intended meaning of each phrase and the consequences of using a specific phrase, making it likely that users will be able to suit their clients' needs. One of the program's best features is the Client Maintenance Screen, which allows users to add data on client. Users then draw up testamentary documents that can be customized using the data on the Client Maintenance Screen. The final documents are created in a word processor that employs macros to merge the parts of the document. The resultant documents are concise, comprehensible and well drafted.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1996
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Trust drafting simplified
Article Abstract:
Cowles Legal Systems' $1,990 Trust Plus and $590 Trust Plus Life Insurance help lawyers to easily create trust documents that are comprehensible and legally binding. The packages' greatest assets include the ability to compile instructions for the transfer of assets while drawing up trust agreements at the same time, a process that helps clients fund the trust in a timely manner. Funding the trust is vitally important, second only to drawing up the trust documents themselves. Users may create irrevocable or revocable trusts using the Cowles products, and a variety of assets may be used to fund the trust, including cash, real estate, partnership interests of interests in a business. The programs create an estate organizer for each client, helpfully gathering all related information in a single area. The resultant documents are well drafted and complete. The manual is excellent.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1996
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