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Version 5.16 Freely distributed/ evaluation copy MANUAL THE HOME AND BUSINESS LEGAL GUIDE AND FORMS GENERATORTM Copyright 1990 Kraft & Byron All Rights Reserved INTRODUCTION _______ ____|__ | (tm) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER A. PLEASE READ THE READ.ME FILE FIRST! B. ORGANIZATION OF THIS MANUAL-- We provide two separate but complimentary manuals. The first is the "quickstart" manual. If you are a power user, this very brief manual explains each active key and function. The second manual (the one that you are now reading) is a detailed manual, consisting of 8 sections: 1) System Requirements/Installation 2) Use of the program 3) The information needed to generate legal forms 4) Customer Satisfaction- Support- Custom Forms Service 5) About the Radio Law Firm (tm)- Our nationwide call in radio show 6) About our staff 7) Legalese-- warranties, trademarks, warnings 8) Index SECTION ONE INSTALLATION Section 1-1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS In order to operate this program, your computer must: 1) have an IBM PC compatible operation a version of M.S. DOS, D.R. DOS or P.C. DOS of 2.1 or higher; this includes 2.1, 3.0, 3.1., 3.2, 3.3, 4.0 and higher or OS/2, PS/2; to find out which version of "dos" you have installed enter at a system prompt; this program happily runs under Windows environments/Desqview etc.: <ver> SPECIAL NOTE: IN THIS MANUAL THINGS TO BE ENTERED ON THE COMPUTER ARE ENCLOSED IN ANGLED BRACKETS "<" ">". Do not type the brackets as they are only placeholders for text to be entered by you. and you will receive a cheery message such as MS-DOS VER 3.20 in general this program will operate on XT compatibles, '286 compatibles (AT Class) and '386 compatible systems; 486 systems; 2) have a hard drive (fixed disk); 3) have at least 448 K Bytes of USABLE memory; many computer users have machines that are installed with 512K, 640K or more but install many Terminate and stay resident (TSR or "memory resident" programs) which each use memory, dropping available or usable memory to less than 448 K; if you cannot operate this program dump out of it (the time honored process pressing Control, Alternate and Delete at once to "warm" reboot) and at a system prompt type, exactly <chkdsk> Your machine should whirl and click and then announce something like this: 655360 bytes total memory 620000 bytes free if you have less that 448000 bytes of memory free, then you must read the manuals for your memory resident software and delete some of them so that you have at least 448000 free when you run this program. There are utilities that "manage" terminate and stay resident program advertised in your favorite computer magazine. If you would like an operating environment that manages memory and can make your computer stand on its head allowing multitasking among many other great things, get Desquview (tm) from Quarterdeck.(tm) The program will require about 2.0 megabytes of free storage. (The evaluation copy requires about 600 KB). There is no minimum requirement for graphics adapters or color. The program will happily run on a text-mono system; and it looks very great on a VGA system! Due to our design philosophy the program will run on a system with NO color and no graphics capability at all. A printer is recommended so that you can fully use the Home and Business Legal Guide. (You cannot print out legal documents without access to a printer.) SECTION 2 USE OF THE PROGRAM STEP ONE (LOGICALLY) STARTING THE PROGRAM Section 2-1 QUICK START MANUAL A separate file on this disk contains a quick start manual for experienced applications users which gives all of the active keys for each program. A detailed manual follows. Section 2-2 INSTALLATION Installation is more fully explained in the "read.me" file. The evaluation version of this software is installed by unarchiving the program onto a hard drive or a high capacity floppy drive, either a 3.5" Standard density or a 5.25" high density floppy. The full package requires a hard drive. Well, now that you've installed the program, welcome back. But the best part is just beginning-- our design goal was to allow you to be able to use this program with just brief instruction-- and you'll see that we met our goal. In fact, experienced applications users can use this program intuitively-- but be sure to read through this information to learn about all of the program's features. The registered and larger evaluation version come with an install program that automates all installation functions. Section 2-3 START UP AND MAIN MENU In order to start the program, be sure that you have either have the computer in the legal subdirectory or that the program is on the current path. Now type <guide> (or <GUIDE or guIDe in MS-DOS, they are the same to the computer.) and press the Return <Return> key. The main menu offers a help screen. Section 2-4 MOUSE USERS Before you can use the mouse version, you must be sure that your systems mouse driver is installed and operating. For more information on installing your mouse, please see your rodent's manual. Type <Mguide>, then <Return>. Clicking the left button sends a carriage return, the right button page down, both buttons, sends Escape. Moving the rodent up and down advances the cursor up and down. NOTE: We do not have a separate mouse cursor. Section 2-5 SELECTING FROM THE OPTIONS PROVIDED To select your choice, either use the cursor keys (up and down arrows) to highlight the choice you want, or, enter the letter corresponding to your choice, and then press <Return>. We will explain the operation of the statutes, and tutorials (mini-seminars), and document preparation separately. Section 2-6 THE SHELL GAME- OUR DOS "SHELL" Choice "S"- DOS Shell-- Our DOS "shell" is a utility program which allows you to perform tasks, while retaining the Home and Business Legal Encyclopedia in memory. For example, if you want to format a floppy disk, but do not want to exit the program, then choose the DOS Shell option, by either highlighting this option using the cursor keys (up and down arrows) or pressing <S> then press <RETURN>. You will then see a message indicating that your operating system has been loaded. For example, Microsoft (R) MS-DOS (R) Version 3.20 (C) Copyright Microsoft Corp. 1981-1986 you may then operate DOS commands. At all times, the Legal Guide remains in memory. To resume use of the program, type <EXIT> and then <Return> or <Enter> (On some machines the key is marked return, on others enter, and some have a left descending arrow.) This will return you to the opening screen. Section 2-7 STATUTES MENU The Home and Business Legal Guide contains the full text, with attorney's explanations of many important laws and governmental regulations. To choose this option from the main menu, press <B> and then <ENTER> (Return), or highlight this option by using the cursor keys- up and down arrows. Once you are reading the full text, you will occasionally see blocks of text marked with "/*" and closed with "*/." These are distinguishing placeholders to show comments as opposed to the full text of the law or regulation. Copyright stuff: We do not claim copyright on government material contained in the statutes menu. However we do claim copyright on all the rest of the program and on the comments within the statutes. **************************************************************** IMPORTANT NOTICE: YOU HAVE RECEIVED A PACKAGE CONTAINING THE MOST RECENT DATA. CHECK FOR UPDATES IF YOU HAVE COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY. EACH MONTH WE RELEASE ADDITIONAL FORMS AND INFORMATION. REMEMBER THAT LAWS CHANGE (OFTEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE) AND BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE LATEST UPDATES. **************************************************************** Section 2-8 BROWSING THROUGH THE STATUTES You may read the statutes by pressing the page up, page down, cursor keys for up and down (up and down arrows.) The left and right cursor keys are special. The left arrow key returns you to the previous comment; the right arrow searches for the next comment. If you press the left arrow key and the text does not change, this means that you are seeing the first comment; if you press the right arrow key and the text does not change you are then viewing the last comment in the file. Section 2-9 LET'S TAKE NOTES USE OF THE "NOTE PAD"- JOT NOTES WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE LAW If you want to take a note while reading the tutorial, put our memory resident note pad to work. From any point once you are reading the text of the tutorial type <F2> (Function key 2) and then a note pad will open on the bottom of the screen. This is a nice added feature so that you won't lose your place or have to go get a pad and paper if you find something interesting that you might want to take notes about. Since it is for jotting notes, we have made it very simple to use. Simply type in your note, using the backspace key to erase characters. NOTE PAD HELP To get help regarding the notepad utility, simply press <F1>, (function key one) while the note pad is open. The help screen is a good explanation of the note pad. PRINTING OUT YOUR NOTES To print out our notes, make sure that your printer is ready, power on, properly connected, with paper and ribbons, and then press <F3> (Function key 3). This will print out the notes you have taken. ERASING AND SAVING NOTES <F10> (Function key 10) erases everything on the note pad. You cannot recover notes once erased by using F10. To "toggle" back and forth between the note pad and the text of the tutorial, press <F2> (Function key 2). Your notes are saved automatically every time that you toggle back and forth between the note pad and the tutorial's main text. Section 2-10 SPECIAL STATUTE- DEFINITIONS This program contains a special "statute"- the on line legal phrase dictionary. Select this option to look up unfamiliar legal terms. Please let us know if you find other words we should define. Section 2- 11 EXITING THE STATUTES To leave a statute, you may press Escape (ESC) which will return you to the statutes menu. To return to the main menu, press <M>. To exit the program completely, press <X>, which will send you back to DOS and quit the program. Section 2-12 TUTORIAL (MINI-SEMINAR) MENU WHAT IS A TUTORIAL/ MINI-SEMINAR? The Home and Business Legal Guide contains mini-seminars called tutorials about the subjects that our research, your mail, and our radio program show are of the most interest to our users. To select this option, either highlight option C from the main menu, or, enter the letter <C>. Then press <ENTER> (Return.) NOTE THAT THERE IS MORE THAN ON SCREEN OF TUTORIALS. TO SEE ALL SELECTIONS PLEASE USE THE PAGE DOWN OR CURSOR KEYS TO REACH THE END. These "tutorials" or "mini-seminars" are a discussion of the rights and obligations that the law provides for each tutorial area. LET US KNOW ABOUT OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST AND WE'LL PREPARE SOMETHING ON THAT AREA IN THE FUTURE. You're the boss. **************************************************************** THE PACKAGE WHICH YOU HAVE RECEIVED CONTAINS THE TUTORIALS RELEASED TO THE DATA OF SHIPPING. ADDITIONAL TUTORIALS ARE CREATED MONTHLY, AND OLD TUTORIALS REVISED AS LAWS CHANGE. BE SURE TO CHECK FOR UPDATES. DO NOT RELY ON OUTDATED AND POTENTIALLY (DISASTROUSLY) OUTDATED INFORMATION **************************************************************** Section 2-13 SELECTING A TUTORIAL/MINI-SEMINAR Once you have determined which tutorial you might want to read or review, please highlight it by using the cursor keys (up and down arrows). Then press <Return>. You will then be able to see the text of a tutorial. You can read through the tutorial by using the cursor keys, page down, page up or the home or end keys. (Note that our clever programming methods- Good job Warren-- make going from one end to another virtually instantaneous.) Section 2-14 TAKING NOTES You may take notes as discussed in Section 2-9. Section 2-15 READING FULL TEXT OF LAWS OR REGULATIONS DISCUSSED- OPENING A SECOND WINDOW Let's get back to the tutorial. If you would like to read and review the full text of the laws discussed in a tutorial or mini- seminar, you can review this simultaneously with the tutorial by opening a second "window." To do so, press the letter <S>, and if there is full text available you will see a full text menu. This is where you can look up words in our dictionary. To select the full text (if more than one text is pertinent) use the cursor keys (up and down arrow) to highlight full, annotated text of the law or regulation in question. It will then appear on the screen; to toggle back and forth between the mini-seminar and the selected full annotated text, press <O>. You can still open a note pad if you have both the mini-seminar and the full text selected. Many mini-seminars have more than one full text selection. If you want to review a different full annotated text from that originally selected, return to the tutorial, and press <S>, which will reopen the full annotated text menu. Select the new full text by using the cursor (up and down arrow keys). Section 2-16 DEFINITIONS OF LEGAL TERMS If legal terms are used in the mini-seminar, they are also defined in the on line legal glossary. Simply press <S> and select this option for the on line legal phrase book- our mini legal dictionary. Press <O> to toggle back and forth between the dictionary and the text. To select help or full text, return to the tutorial text, press <S> and select the other full text. Section 2-17 EXITING THE TUTORIAL To stop reading, press Escape (ESC) to return to the tutorial menu, <M> to return to the main menu, or <X> to exit (quit) the program and to return to DOS. That was easy- wasn't it! Section 2-18 DRAFTING DOCUMENTS THE DOCUMENT GENERATOR We are very proud of our document generation program and hope that you will be as well. Through the use of this part of the program you will be able to draft custom legal papers that are legal and binding in all 50 states. These forms will accomplish their objectives of course, if you use a form that isn't right, or doesn't completely accomplish your goal, you'll have a legal and valid form that accomplishes something other than you desired. READ CAREFULLY **************************************************************** IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY REVIEW DOCUMENTS THAT YOU MIGHT PREPARE FROM TIME TO TIME; THE DOCUMENTS HEREIN ARE VALID IN THAT IF THEY ARE PROPERLY PREPARED THEY WILL BE EFFECTIVE TO CAUSE THE INTENDED RESULT. THIS MEANS HOWEVER, THAT A USE OF THE FORMS FOR AN INAPPROPRIATE PURPOSE WILL RESULT IN AN INAPPROPRIATE RESULT. WE IMPLORE YOU TO SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL IF THE FAILURE OF A LEGAL FORM TO ACCOMPLISH THE INTENDED PURPOSE WILL BE FINANCIAL LOSS. UNDER THE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES HEREIN, DAMAGES MAY NOT BE RECOVERED FOR THE MONETARY LOSSES AND OTHER DAMAGES, INCLUDING CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SHOULD A FORM NOT MEET YOUR NEEDS. YOU'LL STILL SAVE TIME AND MONEY BY USING THE FORMS- JUST HAVE THEM REVIEWED. IN ADDITION BE SURE TO GET THE LATEST FORMS BY CHECKING IN FOR UPDATES. **************************************************************** In order to begin using the forms generator, from the main menu, please select option "D", prepare legal documents, by either entering <D> and then <Return>. Use the cursor keys (up and down arrows) to select which form you will prepare. NOTE THAT THERE IS MORE THAN ONE SCREEN OF CHOICES, either scroll to the end, or use "Page Down" (you may have to do this more than once) to see all selections. We very strongly suggest that you prepare the document at least TWICE, or perhaps a few times more than that. It only takes a brief period of time, and it is vital that the legal paper reflect all information 100% correctly. **************************************************************** LAWS CHANGE AND THIS MAY FORCE A CHANGE IN FORMS TO MAKE THEM COMPLY WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK FOR UPDATES. WHAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED CONTAINS THE FORMS TO THE DATE OF SHIPPING AND IS SUPPLEMENTED AND UPDATED REGULARLY. **************************************************************** Once "inside" a document you will have the opportunity to enter information, and "custom build" your form. SECTION 2-19 BUILDING DOCUMENTS: SCREENS You will then see two types of form building screens- a multiple choice box and a fill in the blank box. SECTION 2-20 FILL IN THE BLANK SCREENS First the fill in the blank box: Enter, exactly as you wish to see it, the information requested. Be careful to put it in the format requested- if the fill in the blank box asks for the information in numerals, use numerals. If it asks for information in numbers, enter numbers. Once you have finished filling in the blanks, then hit return. You can "edit" a line prior to entering "return" by using the backspace key. If you have made a horrible goof and want to start from scratch, use the tab forward key to highlight the "cancel" choice on the bottom of the dialog box, and press return. On occasion the space which is provided is too small. In that case, simply enter in the fill in the blank box "See exhibit 1 (etc.) and use a separate sheet to continue. The document will then be canceled. SECTION 2-21 MULTIPLE CHOICE SCREENS You will also see multiple choice boxes. Use the up arrow and down arrow (cursor keys) to place the "bullet" in the choice that you would like, and press <Return>. SECTION 2-22 FINISHING DOCUMENTS- NAMING DOCUMENTS Once finished with a document, press <ESC> (Escape key) and then fill in the name of the document. Ms-dos limits you to eight characters and an extension on a file, for example- "guide.exe." We don't-- your document can be named using up to 72 characters, including blanks-- Thus, a note from Joe to Fred for $ 1.00 done on 1/1/90 can be named: Note from Joe to Fred- value $ 1.00 dated 1/1/90 Use a completely descriptive name so you will know exactly what the document is. SECTION 2-23 PRINTING DOCUMENTS To print out a document, after completing your answers, and seeing the document, press <P>, and a dialog box will ask you use the cursor key to say "yes" or "no." Before saying yes be sure that the printer is connected to the computer, turned on, has ribbons and paper. You may use a printer of your choice from daisy wheel, a dot matrix to a laser. Call us if you have a problem. We have tested and tested the program for compatibility with many printers, and have had no problems. But there's always a first time. Incidentally, the printer will do a form feed prior to printing! The specific forms and the information required to complete them are discussed in section 3. SECTION 2-24 REVIEWING DOCUMENTS To print out a document which you previously saved, go to the main menu and either use the cursor key or enter the letter <E> and then press <Return>. The documents, with titles that you you have chosen will appear on screen. To see one, highlight that document and press <Return.> To print, press <P>, check that you are ready and then print away. To delete a document, once you are inside the document hold down the <Alt> key and while holding press the letter <D> This will permanently erase a document, and in most cases even an undelete program will not save you! Be sure that you intend to do so before zapping a document to never-never land! SECTION 3 FORMS- INFORMATION REQUIRED SECTION 3-1 FORMS IN GENERAL In this section of the manual, we'll explain what information is needed to prepare each form, and will outline for what purposes the form is useful. Lawyers are frequently asked to draft a "note", a "deed" or a "lease." Unfortunately it's the wrong question to ask! There is no such thing as a --fill in the blank--. Nor is there a "standard" whatever it is. The problem with forms purchased at a store is the famous problem of "one size fits all" brain surgery. You'll get a note all right- but is it a note that makes SENSE for your side of the deal? Can a pre-printed form every show you all of the different options? It can't. So our forms generator does not simply have "pre-canned" forms that you use. Instead, each time you use the forms generator a custom form is prepared, and you are presented with different options and questions. Based on the information that you provide a form is custom built from a data base of different options. In the Home and Business Legal Guide and Forms Generator we provide a large library of forms for use. Before you draft any form, please read and consider the directions on each form. Our directions tell you what information that you'll need to complete each form, what you should have read in the package before. By the way, it is inevitable that in a package such as this that the forms contain some of my judgment as to what should appear in each deal. Some persons reviewing the same may not agree. That's to be expected. SECTION 3-2 GENERAL FORMS The copy of the program which you are using is an evaluation copy. Therefore, complete information on all of the forms is contained in the registered manual. The forms in the evaluation copy are described in detail below: SECTION 3-3 BILL OF SALE FOR USED GOODS This form is used to as a combination receipt and bill of sale. It is intended solely for a deal in which a CONSUMER sells something that they own to another person. This form was prepared because small claims courts are populated with cases in which someone who has bought a used boat motor, or whatever, sues the seller claiming that the product failed to work, etc. However, the law in most states is that there IS NO WARRANTY when a person who is not a dealer in that type of goods sells them. Information needed: Name of the seller; name of the buyer; description of the goods sold- here be sure to call it a "used" whatever; The form provides the following choices as to the payment of the sales price: cash, or part cash and assumption of liens. For example, if there is a lien on a stereo you are selling, then the sales price is for cash of whatever and the buyer agreeing to pay the lien. In this case have the name of the lienholder and the amount of the liens handy. If you are financing a purchase of something don't use this form. Instead, use the security agreement form. SECTION 3-4 GUARANTEE FORMS A guarantee is an agreement by one party to pay the debt, or to take care of the obligations of another party. This is frequently used with corporations. Most corporations are very thinly capitalized, and thus for obligations of any size, savvy creditors demand that the owners guarantee the debt. Under a law known as the Statute of Frauds, the promise to pay the debt of another must be in WRITING TO be valid. DON'T FORGET THIS!! Therefore, we have a personal guarantee. This document actually produces THREE different kinds of guarantees. The first is an unconditional, blanket guarantee. This means that the guarantor (person agreeing to make good another's obligations) agrees that whatever debts and obligations are due from the primary debt, in whatever amount will be their responsibility. This is the most dangerous kind of guarantee to sign for the guarantor, but the most favorable to the creditor. The second is a guarantee agreement for a specific obligation. In other words, in this agreement the guarantor is agreeing to pay whatever comes out of one specific deal. The third is a guarantee that covers all obligations, but, is limited to a total specified sum. Thus, the guarantor agrees to pay a certain sum, if the balance is that or lower and the primary debtor doesn't pay. The following information is needed to complete the form; of course, you must choose which one of the guarantees represents your agreement. SECTION 3-5 SECURITY AGREEMENT This form is called many different things by different folks. Some refer to it as a "conditional sale" in which the condition is you get to keep the property if you pay a debt that you agreed to pay to acquire the property. Sometimes it is called a "Chattel Mortgage"; in some cases it is known as "Lease." All of these instruments are really security agreements. In simple words a security agreement is a LIEN on property. LIMITATIONS: Security agreements are used for tangible assets, contract rights and intangibles. They are NOT appropriate for securities, cash or real estate. With securities a pledge and physical possession of the securities is appropriate. With cash, physical possession is required and with real estate mortgages are required (trust deeds in some states.) SPECIAL WARNING: Unless you have physical possession of the collateral certain filings are required to perfect the lien. If you don't file, your lien will be invalid against other creditors. This selection on the menu prepares three different types of security agreements. The first is a standard security agreement in which a party puts up his property for a loan or for a purchase. In this form, the debtor agrees to make good any deficiency (that is if the property is repossessed and does not bring enough in to pay off the debt, they're on the hook for the difference.) There are some further variations: whether the security is provided for a single debt or for all debts (this latter set is called a cross collateralization clause.) In addition, this selection on the menu can produce a hypothecation. (See on line dictionary for explanation). The following information is required: names of each party; a specific explanation of the property secured, either general or specific-- thus you can have a lien on a specific fork-lift, or on the accounts receivable of a business; if the security agreement secures a specific debt, the date of the debt and the original principal amount; if the security agreement is a hypothecation, then the person for whom the debt is secured must be identified, together with that debt-- the date of the debt and the original amount; in all security agreements-- are there other liens on the property? (first lien vs. junior lien) and if so, the amount of the liens and the identify of the creditor; will this security agreement secure all other debts between the parties? REAL ESTATE FORMS SECTION 3-6 OFFER TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE This is a very complicated form. Anyone who has been in the real estate business for any period of time will recommend that all parties in real estate deals, whatever size, have legal counsel. So do we. The real estate offer form is used by a buyer (and real estate agent) to make an offer to an owner. Here we go with the needed information: Seller's name, address; gross purchase price; legal description of the property; expiration date of the offer. Will the purchase price be paid: in cash, with terms; If mortgages are to be assumed: the amounts and mortgage holders; If the seller is to grant a new mortgage as part of the purchase price: the principal amount, rate of interest and payment terms; If the buyer will need to obtain a new mortgage, the amounts, the term of the mortgage in months, the maximum allowable rate of interest on the new mortgage, the maximum number of points to be paid by the buyer, the maximum application fee to be paid by the buyer; If there are buildings on the property; The number of days between acceptance and closing (minimum and maximum), number of days to provide title insurance by the owner; Closing costs to be paid by each party; if the parties used a realtor, the name of the realtor. This form conforms to practice in most of the east coast of the United States. The form does not provide for opening of an escrow (a form for this is provided in the registered copy). The form is a close to neutral a framework as possible. Where the form favors on side or the other is in the fill in the blank parts. SECTION 3-7 REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE EXCLUSIVE LISTING This form is for the EXCLUSIVE listing of real estate with a brokerage. The form should be considered as leaning towards the owner, although this is again an example of a form that is not wildly favorable to one side or other. Information required: The name of the owner of the property; the broker; the legal description of the property; the number of days of the listing; the minimum sales price; the financing that the owner will provide; the amount of the commission; the right of the broker to place a sign on the property LIVING WILL FORMS: SECTION 3-8 IDAHO LIVING WILL FORM Before preparing this form, be sure to review the Idaho Living Will Summary from the tutorials menu. The following information is required: the name of the declarant; the terminal condition of the patient; the treating physician's name, address and telephone number; and the county where executed SECTION 4 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Section 4-1: REGISTRATION The copy of the program which you have is an evaluation copy. For information on the shareware concept, please review the "read.me" file. All functions in the evaluation version operate exactly as in the registered version- this is not crippleware. NOTICE: The opening screen and the registration information provided on screen are disabled in the registered version. We are members of the Association of Shareware Professionals- see section 6-2 for more information on our membership in this organization and what it means to you. However, our registered version has grown to about 2 megabytes, and even archived would take about 1.1 million bytes. This amount is not feasible to download from BBS systems. Therefore, we have prepared a separate evaluation version of this package. It contains the same exact executable files, but to get it to about 250 KB archived, we limited the data, and excluded manual references related to the material that was skipped. Please review the "Read.me" file to insure that you have seen the list of forms, tutorials and statutes that are in the presented registered version. This results in a file that can be downloaded in a reasonable amount of time. If you would like to see the whole thing, you can look around for a BBS that has it (we have uploaded the whole thing to several) or contact a shareware distributor (we recommend that you use ASP member companies) to arrange to get the whole thing. The read.me also provides information about getting it directly from us. Registration is $ 39 for one year and $ 15 for each additional year. Registered users receive: * The most recent version of the full program and data * Full manual in the most recent version * Access to private 24 hour BBS system for updates and technical support- connect time of 1 hour daily * Telephone support (Available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays- limited to two hours in first month, and one hour for the remainder of the year; note- by advance appointment we will provide support at any time; just be sure to call during our office hours to schedule an appointment) * Monthly data updates (via bbs; mailed semi-annually to those without modems) * Mail support * Support via Compuserve- leave a message to Herb Kraft 76177,1421 * Support via EXEC-PC BBS- leave a message to Herb Kraft (EXEC-PC is a 166 node and growing BBS in Wisconsin; to find out more, call in and give it a whirl- 1-414-789-4210; set your modem for N,8,1 ANSI-BBS; the usual settings for calling most BBS systems) * Any upgrades to the program during the registration period Section 4-2 Philosophy Each one of our users is our "boss." Your satisfaction is our only concern. Despite our release of this software as "shareware" you will find that we do this for a living and are just like any other commercial software house, although we like to think that our product is the best legal forms generator and we KNOW that it is the first to provide full text and tutorials in the quantity and quality we have. We have several commercial products in distribution. Ie.- this is not a hobby and we are not coding in our garage. Thus you will find that we have VERY knowledgeable support people available at all times. In fact, it is usually one of the developers that is manning the support desk. In addition, please feel free to suggest topics for tutorials, the text of laws that you would like to see annotated and new forms that you need. We'll bust our butts to do it quickly. If there is anything we can do to help (besides shooting ourselves) please reach us via BBS or write: About the product--- Herb Kraft & David Byron About technical aspects of the program--- Warren Clary & David Byron at: P.O. Box 37155 Tallahassee, Florida 32315 or via BBS, and we'll leave you a message or write back. PLEASE NOTE: Our technical staff will help you with questions about how to use the program. They will not and cannot answer legal questions. UNDER THE LAW ONLY ATTORNEYS CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE, and we cannot give out specific legal help. To find an attorney, call your local bar association and find out if they have a bar referral service. Section 4-3 UPDATES- PRIVATE BULLETIN BOARD SERVICE The product which you have received is constantly being expanded by adding new forms, tutorials and statutes. In addition, laws change on a regular basis. We follow legislative changes and updates. It is always true that a law book is obsolete as soon as it is released. And this computer program is no exception. The present shipping version is only 25% of the data that you will receive! We have several MEGABYTES more to go! YOUR REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES ONE YEAR WORTH OF UPDATES- WHETHER TO THE "EXECUTABLE" PROGRAM OR DATA. BEFORE THE END OF YOUR YEAR'S SERVICE, WE'LL CONTACT YOU TO SEE IF YOU WANT MORE UPDATES! (THE CHARGE FOR MORE UPDATES IS JUST $ 15.00 FOR ADDITIONAL YEARS!) Therefore, we have a private bulletin board service. For those of you who have modems, we assume that you are already familiar with bulletin boards and the wonderful interchanges of messages, data and programs that take place in user group, commercial and government bulletin boards. Once you register we will provide you with the BBS number and information on use. By calling the bulletin board monthly you'll be able to get updates both to information and to the executable programs. Updates are posted once a month on the last Sunday of the month. For those of you without modems and communications software-- boo hiss. You're not taking advantage of the full potential of your computer without communications capability! However, for any of you without them, we will mail the updates at half-yearly intervals. We cannot recommend too highly that you get communications capability! Besides your local computer store, a great place to buy modems and software to run them is Computer Shopper, which you can buy at virtually every grocery store or newsstand in the United States. We have no financial interest in any communications software house, but, the developers of this program use Telix (Shareware). A few other tips-- try to get at least 2400 byte transmission speed, and Hayes compatibility (or Hayes product itself) are the standard in the industry. If you do decide to hook up with the world, by all means buy an issue of Computer Shopper and look through the bulletin board section for information on bulletin boards near you. SECTION 4-4 CUSTOM PREPARED FORMS If you look at our forms library and don't find a form that precisely fits your needs, we offer a custom form preparation service for our registered users. For an additional fee ranging from $ 25.00 (minimum) to $ 100.00 (maximum) per form we will provide you EXCLUSIVELY with a custom prepared program to generate the form that you need. This service includes: a) telephone interview with Herb Kraft, the attorney who prepared the legal portion of this program; b) legal research as needed; c) preparation of an exclusive custom form that precisely fits your needs; d) support for the new form. To be sure that there are no misunderstandings: 1. Users are NOT charged if they suggest a general type of form to be added to the program, and we welcome such suggestions; 2. Registered users requiring a form specifically for their business needs which is exclusive to them and custom prepared, may obtain a firm price quote by calling customer support. The fee for a custom form is in addition to the registration fee. SECTION 5 THE RADIO LAW FIRM (tm) Herb Kraft, the co-developer of the program is an attorney and the host of the Radio Law Firm, a four hour weekly legal advice program, heard now over 70 stations nationwide (and growing) as well as on satellite, every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern time. Here's how to get the program on home satellite: Sun: Satcom 3, Channel 17, frequency 1.05 FM Squared, 15 khz Satcom F 1 R Channel 4, Frequency 5.445 TVRO Satcom 3, Channel 17, 6.5 audio TVRO Feel free to call in the Radio Law Firm. Here is a list of some of the cities carrying the Radio Law Firm: Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Houston, Hartford, (Key West) Miami, Tampa- St. Petersburg, St Louis, Daytona Beach/Orlando, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Raleigh, Blackwell- Oklahoma City, Memphis, Ogden-Salt Lake City, Norfolk, Harrisburg- York, Greensboro, Wichita, Albany-Schnectady-Troy, New York, Tulsa, Oak Ridge Tennessee- Knoxville, Mobile, Sanford, Maine, Paducah, Kentucky (Metropolis, Ill.), Springfield, MO, Clinton- Quad Cities, Chattonoga, Natchez-Jackson, Miss., Bristol, VA, Fort Myers, Fl., Montgomery, AL, Amarillo, Texas, Macon, GA, Cadillac, Mich., Columbus, Miss., Boise, Redding, Calif., Bluefield, WV, Bangor, Maine, Hattiesburg, Miss., De Funiak Springs, Fl. (Panama City), Lake Charles, La., Las Vegas, Tallahassee, Buffalo (Some stations only carry some hours.) We know that you'll like the pro-consumer, "no-nonsense" approach to law on the Radio Law Firm. And speaking of computers, co- developers Herb Kraft and David Byron host the "Data-Zone" and have great guests from the computer industry on weekly, Saturday's 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time. Previous guests have included Gary Saxer (Quarterdeck); Paul Mace; Jim Button; Eugene Wong (head of languages at Borland); many ASP members including Paul Mayer (el Presidente of the ASP) and other luminaries. Hope you'll listen in. We try to talk about shareware every week. SECTION 6 WHO WE ARE The staff that prepared this program consist of: Herbert Kraft (Herb), Attorney at law admitted to practice in Florida; Developer and author of legal material, comments and documents, Chief Developer (It's all my fault-- honest) David Byron, Co-Developer; Warren Clary, P.E., Software engineer and co-developer, Warren is the author of the computer program itself (and did a tremendous job!) Susan Munroe, Executive Legal Secretary, who suffered through a lot of the typing that you see Alice Brown, Executive Secretary, who will be answering your calls for technical support. SECTION 6-2 WE ARE ASP MEMBERS The developers of this program are proud to be members of the Association of Shareware Professionals, the ASP. User supported software from ASP members must meet special standards of professionalism and user support. In addition, if you have any problems with us that we don't work out (egads! horrors!) the ASP can help. This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006 or send a Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. SECTION 7 LEGALESE Section 7-1 LIMITATION OF WARRANTY ***EXCEPT FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICY THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND THE SELLERS AND MANUFACTURER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THE SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE. THE FORMS HEREIN ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE USED UNLESS THE SAME ARE REVIEWED BY AN ADVISOR OR ATTORNEY, AND THE SELLERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF THIS PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FAILURE OF A FORM TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS OF THE USER.*** TRADEMARKS IBM PC, PS/2, AT, XT, and PC-DOS are trademarks of IBM. MS- DOS and OS/2 are a trademark of Microsoft. DR-DOS is a trademark of Digital Research. R FRINGE is a trademark of R FRINGE SOFTWARE, INC., THE HOME AND BUSINESS LEGAL GUIDE AND FORMS GENERATOR is a trademark of R FRINGE COMPUTER SOFTWARE, INC. Desqview is a trademark of Quarterdeck, Sun Radio Network a trademark of KSBN, Inc. SECTION 8 INDEX The index refers to section numbers, not page numbers. Section Topic 1-1 System Requirements 2-1 Reference to Quickstart manual 2-2 Installation of evaluation version 2-3 Start up and mainmenu- keyboard users 2-4 Start up- mouse users 2-5 Selecting menu options 2-6 DOS SHELL 2-7 STATUTES MENU 2-8 Browsing through statutes 2-9 Note pad (on line) 2-10 On line definitions 2-11 Exiting statutes 2-12 TUTORIALS MENU 2-13 Selecting a tutorial 2-14 Taking notes (cross references to 2-9) 2-15 Opening a second menu 2-16 On line definitions 2-17 Exiting tutorials 2-18 DRAFTING DOCUMENTS (USING THE DOCUMENT GENERATOR) 2-19 Building documents, types of screens 2-20 Fill in the blank screens 2-21 Multiple choice screens 2-22 Finishing documents- naming documents 2-23 Printing documents 2-24 REVIEWING DOCUMENTS 3-1 INFORMATION REQUIRED TO CREATE DOCUMENTS 3-2 General Forms 3-3 Bill of Sale for Used Goods 3-4 Guarantee of debts and obligations 3-5 Security Agreement 3-6 Offer to purchase real estate 3-7 Real Estate Brokerage form, exclusive listing 3-8 Idaho Living Wills Forms 4-1 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION- Shareware registration 4-2 Company philosophy on service 4-3 Updates- private BBS 4-4 Customization of legal forms; special service 5-1 About the Radio Law Firm 6-1 About our staff 6-2 ASP membership and Ombudsman information 7-1 Warranty disclaimer and legaese 8-1 Index