Copyright: Copyright 1997 Cosmi Corporation


Contents

System Requirements

Operating System

Disk Space

Hardware

Installation

For Windows 3.1, Windows NT 3.51 or Windows For Work Groups

How to launch the document generator

Selecting a document

Master Document List

Navigating document categories

Filling in the document

Multiple choice (select one) questions

Multiple choice or fill in the blank questions

Dollar amount questions

Date questions

Special circumstances -- Drawings need to be attached

Special circumstances -- Making a blank form

Special circumstances -- Printing a document on letterhead

Saving and naming a document

Printing a document

Viewing/editing a document

Deleting a document

SUPPORT

Customer service

Disclaimer

ABA/Publishers Disclaimer

Acknowledgments

Team Cosmi

Forms List

Forms by menu category


Operating System

Your computer must have Microsoft Windows 3.1, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Microsoft Windows 95, or Microsoft Windows NT 3.5, or higher versions of these operating systems.


Disk Space

This program requires approximately 3 megabytes of space on your hard drive.


Hardware

• A mouse or pointing device is required.

To print out any forms you create or save in this program you must have a printer. Although the program will operate with dot matrix printers we recommend ink jet or laser printers for the best results.


For Windows 3.1, Windows NT 3.51 or Windows For Work Groups

1. In Program Manager click on FILE and choose RUN.

2. Type in A:\cdsetup and press <Enter>. (If your floppy drive is not A, then change it to the letter associated with you floppy drive.)

3. Follow any instructions that appear on the screen.

For Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0

1. In the start up screen click on START, then click on RUN.

2. Type in A:\cdsetup and press <Enter.> (If your floppy drive is not A, then change it to the letter associated with your floppy drive.)

3. Follow any instructions that appear on the screen.


How to launch the document generator

You must be running Windows to use the document generator. Locate and double-click on the Windows Attorney Group.  Double-click on the Windows Attorney icon. The Main Menu will appear.

Select "Create" from the Document Builder area.

This will open the Document Category Selection menu.


Selecting a document

Select the proper category. Please notice that the CATEGORIES are numbered, for example,

 1<- ESTATE PLANNING

The different CATEGORIES may have LEVEL 2 SUBCATEGORIES, or may lead directly to their document menus. CATEGORIES and SUBCATEGORIES are typed in UPPERCASE; Document Names which you may select are in Sentence case.

The Description box at the bottom of the Document Selection Menu describes the contents of the category or the purpose of the form which is currently highlighted.


Master Document List

A master list of the available documents is provided in the on line help file. Click HELP CONTENTS to access this list.


Navigating document categories

To select a category, move your mouse to it.  Then double left click to reveal a list of subcategories.  Continue double clicking through the categories until you reach the document you want to create

To explore all the documents available in a category . . . after selecting a category 1, then select a category 2; and finally, if available, a category 3.

Double-clicking toggles the categories open and closed.  If you want to close an open category, double-click on it again. Double-clicking on a Category 1 item closes all its lower categories.

Clicking [CANCEL] resets your menu back to the Category 1 level and closes the document selection menu.


Filling in the document

Answer the on screen prompts to customize your document.  Each question provides Help to assist you in phrasing your answer. Click on the [HELP] button if you need advice on answering a question.  Click on the [OK] box to resume customizing your Legal Document.

There are several different ways you can be asked to customize your document.

True/False or Yes/No questions

Read the given statement, and click on your response.  For example,

Fill in the blank questions

You may enter up to 60 keystrokes in response to the question.

The buttons allow you to cancel the build, or call up a help screen for the given question. The help screens contain advice about how to enter information, and often contain example entries.

If your input is too long for the dialog box -

•	Enter "see attached exhibit 1" in the dialog box and prepare the information on a separate sheet.

or

•	Fill out the information as far as possible and when the form is completed and saved, use Windows Write (or Windows Wordpad in Windows 95) or your favorite word processor to fill in the remaining information.

or

•	Skip entering anything in the dialog box by tapping the enter key, or, move the cursor to the continue box and click on it. When the form is completed and saved, use Windows Write or your favorite word processor to fill in the remaining information

If you need any unusual symbols (British pound symbol, etc.), you may either

•	change the character set in Windows itself,

or

•	insert the needed character after the document is built, in either Windows Write or your selected word processor.


Multiple choice (select one) questions

These dialog boxes require a single answer.  Use your mouse or the tab key to move the "bullet" to your choice. In the example below, the "bullet" is in the first choice.


Multiple choice or fill in the blank questions

These resemble Multiple Choice (select one) dialogs; but if you select KEY IN VALUE a Fill in the blank dialog box appears.


Dollar amount questions

If requested to enter a dollar amount, DO NOT enter the "$" symbol or commas. For instance, correct entries are:

500.00

1.35

1000

Incorrect entries, such as the ones below, will not be accepted:

$500.00

$1.35

1,000

The program will format your input as follows, automatically turning your dollar and cents figures into words:

$501.25 (five hundred one and 25/100 dollars)


Date questions

Dates may be entered in any desired format. For example:

Jan. 1 1996

January 1, 1996

1 January 1996

01/01/96

They will be placed in the document exactly as you typed them. In some instances, dates may "default" to the system date.  Use the up and down arrows to scroll to a different month, day or year.


Special circumstances -- Drawings need to be attached

In the event that drawings must be made part of a document, simply refer to them as an outside exhibit, e.g.,

See attached exhibit "A"

or use your favorite word processor with graphics capability to insert the graphics into the completed, saved document.


Special circumstances -- Making a blank form

If instead of creating a custom form, you want to make a blank, you may do so by typing spaces or underscores as responses to fill in the blank questions.  For other question formats, select an answer or enter a dollar amount, then change it to a blank in the saved document.


Special circumstances -- Printing a document on letterhead

Some of the agreements contained in the Windows Attorney are in a "letter" form, or may be converted into a letter.

If you want to place the form on your pre-printed letterhead, there are two ways to do so.

•	Open the word processor that you usually use with your letterhead and load your letterhead template. Then insert or import the *.WRI file containing your saved document.

•	Measure the margins on your letterhead, and then use spaces and empty lines to adjust the completed and saved document. For example, if your letterhead requires a top margin of two inches you would simply add in 12 blank lines.

Before trying this -- If you have never run your preprinted letterhead through your laser printer before, please check with the company that printed your letterhead.  Some printing processes use letterhead ink that will melt inside laser printers.


Saving and naming a document

Once you have entered all the information needed to complete your document, you will be asked to enter a name to save the document under, as shown below:

This name can be up to 60 keystrokes long.  Choose a name that will help you identify that document precisely; for instance,

3/96 annual lease renewal for June Jones, unit #7

rather than

June 7

Once the document is named and saved, it will be displayed on your screen in Windows Write.  The information in this copy of the document will not affect any future version you may create.

Upon opening, Windows Write will prompt you "Text document. Do you want to convert this file to Write format?" This is because your Legal Documents are output in TEXT ONLY.  This allows you to view them later in the word processing program of your choice.  Regardless of whether you select [CONVERT] or [NO CONVERSION], the Legal Document will be saved to your hard drive in plain text format -- unless you select File/Save As and save the file with the same filename and extension but in Windows Write format.

The information in the saved document will not affect any future version you

may create.

Please note that although a completed document in your word processor is easy to revise, A COMPLETED LEGAL DOCUMENT IS NOT SOMETHING A LAYPERSON SHOULD REVISE.

We created these documents so our users can draft custom legal papers that are legal and binding in all 50 states; and these forms will accomplish their objectives.  If you change these forms, you'll have a legal and valid form that accomplishes something UNPREDICTABLE.


Printing a document

Printing can be done immediately after you create your Legal Document.

If you save your document, you may reopen and print it later, through the [View/Edit] button.

Your legal documents are printed via Windows Write's File/Print menu selection. You may set any options you prefer, then click the [OK] button.


Viewing/editing a document

To view or edit a previously saved Legal Document, click the [View/Edit] button in the Document Builder Group. Click on this button to display your  previously saved customized Legal Documents via Windows Write. You may then print a new copy, enhance your formatting, or correct the spelling of any of your customized entries using Windows Write as your text editor.

PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE LEGAL TEXT WE HAVE PROVIDED.  If you alter these forms, you'll have a legal and valid document that accomplishes something UNPREDICTABLE.


Deleting a document

To delete a saved legal document, go to the main menu, select DELETE and then highlight the legal document's name.  Double click or press ENTER to delete it.

Although you may know how to delete a file using the Windows File Manager or through any other command from Windows (or even DOS), you should only delete your unwanted documents through our Delete menu. Documents are not removed from the review document menu unless removed from this menu.


Customer service

We encourage all of our users to provide comments and suggestions about this program. This program is supported by voice, fax and Internet e-mail.

Voice Support

For telephone support, call Cosmi Customer Service at 1-310-886-3510:

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am - 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Pacific time.

Friday, 8:30 am - 12:00 noon. Pacific time.

E-mail

Support questions may be addressed to cos550@aol.com

Fax

You may fax any customer support questions to: 310-886-3517.

Web

Be sure to visit Cosmi's web site: www.cosmi.com.


ABA/Publishers Disclaimer

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.


Team Cosmi

It takes many persons to produce a program, and we'd like to thank the team members on this project:

Programming: Warren Clary, Ray Clary

Technical Writing/Testing/Documents: Amy Seeberger

Testing: Dave McLaughlin, John Passo

Art: Susan Randle

In house programming: Bob Truxal, James Shaw

Legal advisor and executive producer: Herb Kraft


Forms by menu category

Debts:

Agreement to compromise debt

Notice of default

Unconditional guarantee

Revocation of guarantee

Settlement offer

Subordination agreement, secured debt

Subordination agreement

Subordination by landlord

Substitution of collateral agreement

Discharge of guarantor

Release of collateral

Notice of usurious interest rate

Children:

Adoption of adult

Consent by parent for operation to child

Designation of preference for guardian for minors

Permission for child to go on trip

Ratification of contract made as a minor

Transfer and Receipt- Uniform Transfers to Minors

Power of attorney for minor children

Release of custodian under Uniform Transfers to Minors

Private adoption agreement

Child custody, temporary change

Child custody, permanent change

Child support, temporary reduction

Child support, temporary suspension

Child support, arrearage agreement

Child support agreement- illegitimate child

Paternity dispute, lump payment, denial, pre-natal

Paternity dispute, lump sum payment, denial, after birth

Acknowledgment of paternity, before birth

Acknowledgment of paternity, after birth

Living trusts and general trusts:

Charitable trust

Living Trust basic form

Nominee trust

Revocation of living trust basic form

Business Trust

Unitrust charitable declaration

Pour over will

Termination of trust, receipt/discharge

Irrevocable life insurance trust, funded

Irrevocable life insurance trust, unfunded

Partnership:

General partnership- small firm

Dissolution of partnership agreement

Releases from Liability:

Advance release of liability- ultrahazardous activity

Mediation of claim prior to suit

Mutual Release of Claims

Release for use of photographs/movies

Unilateral Release of All Claims

Libel/defamation release

Sales of personal property:

Noncommercial bill of sale for used goods

Automobile-- lemon car notice

Bailment (Agreement to lend or borrow personal property)

Bill of sale for used goods (consumer)

Denial of credit notice, credit bureau information

Denial of credit notice, other information

Door to door sales disclosure

Revocation of acceptance of goods

Right of rescission

Overcharge claim

Sellers agreement to repurchase

Lending and borrowing:

Bankruptcy Proof of Claim

FTC Notice to Co-signers

Guarantee forms

Security agreement

Promissory note (installment, demand, due date)

Notice of default on note

Offer to settle debt in dispute

Offer to compromise debt

Revocation of guarantee

Corporations:

Agreement for sale of unregistered stock

Shareholder's agreement

Independent Contracting Form

Job offer

Lease:

Commercial Lease

Commercial lease, building

Lease with option to purchase

Residential lease- services as part rent

Residential lease- short form

Lease agreement- unfurnished home

Notice to quit or pay rent

Modification of lease

Application for tenant

Hunting/fishing license/lease

Mobile lot home rental

Miscellaneous:

Personal and business legal checkup checklist

Lottery pooling agreement

Exercise of right of rescission

General form for affidavits

California all purpose acknowledgement

General form for declarations under penalty of perjury

Ratification of unauthorized signature on check

Stop Payment Order on check

Subscription to charity drive

Notice under Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act

Private annuity agreement

Reward for finding lost pet

Reward for missing person

Marriage:

Parental consent for minor to marry

Ratification of existing marriage

Non marriage "living together" agreement

Pre-marital agreement

Divorce agreement

Reconciliation agreement

Termination, non-marital agreement

Remarriage agreement

Automobiles:

Automobile sale-- odometer statement (federal law)

Automobile bill of sale

Automobile sale power of attorney

Automobile bailment (borrowing)

Automobile Consignment Sale

Offer to purchase automobile

Automobile proof of loss (insurance claim)

"Lemon law" notice

Codicil:

Codicil- Revocation of gift

Codicil- New Bequests

Codicil- New Executor

Codicil- Purchase at a discount gift

Codicil- Forgive debts

Codicil- New child

Codicil- New spouse

Codicil- Life estate gift

Codicil; Revival of previously revoked will

Insurance:

Insurance claim form- building/personal property

Pledge of life insurance policy to secure debt

Reservation of rights as to coverage of policy

Reservation of rights as to existence of policy

Subrogation agreement

Sworn statement in proof of loss- automobile

Living wills:

Uniform Living Will

Continue Care (Reverse Living Will)

Revocation of living will

Medical Power of attorney for health care

Powers of attorney:

Simple Power of Attorney

Durable Power of Attorney

Medical Power of attorney for health care

Internal Revenue Service Power of Attorney

Certification that Power of Attorney remains in effect

Power of attorney to sign checks

Revocation of Power of Attorney

Power of attorney to sell automobile

Power of attorney for minor children

Power of attorney- joint attorneys

"Springing" power of attorney

Nomination of conservator

Power of attorney form for the inspection of corporate tax

Purchase and sale of a home:

Real estate brokerage agreement- exclusive listing

Real estate brokerage agreement- non-exclusive listing

Satisfaction of mortgage/deed of trust

Escrow agreement

Uniform quit-claim deed

Offer to purchase real estate

Option to purchase

Assignment of contract to sell

Occupation after closing by seller agreement

Acceptance of offer to purchase real estate

Auction sales agreement for real estate

Buyer's demand for return of deposit

Personal residence purchase- checklist

Agreement to close, termites, credit

Affidavit of no liens

Election (demand) for liquidated damages

Buyer's demand for deposit- survey defect

Buyer's demand for deposit- termite

Buyer's notice of defect- inspection

Buyer's notice of defect- survey

Buyer's notice of defect- title

Remodeling of a home:

Contracting agreement, small job

Contracting agreement, larger job

Party wall agreement for repair

Agreement to accelerate work

Change order

Cost plus, straight cost plus

Cost plus, maximum price, savings shared

Cost plus, maximum price, penalty

Demand for account statement, mechanic's lien

Draw request

Extension of time to complete

Lien release

Mechanic's lien waiver

Release of mechanic's lien

Road building agreement

Construction payment bond

Notice of termination of construction

Notice of commencement

Notice of termination of construction

Wills:

Personal inventory worksheet for estate planning

Caveat (demand for notice if estate is filed)

Joint and mutual will

Nuncupative will (oral will later reduced to writing)

Simple will-- All to spouse

Simple will-- All to children in equal shares

Simple will-- All to stated individuals in equal shares

Will providing trust for education of children/grand children

Will- 2 beneficiaries- unequal shares

Will- 3 beneficiaries- unequal shares

Will- 4 beneficiaries- unequal shares

Will- 5 beneficiaries- unequal shares

Will- 6 beneficiaries- unequal shares

Will- 7 beneficiaries- unequal shares

Revocation of all previous wills

Advancement agreement

Will-- deducting of advancements

Simple will-- All to charity

Payment of bills:

Declaration of homestead

Revocation of guarantee

Satisfaction of mortgage/deed of trust

Notice of usurious interest rate

Disapproval of credit, other than credit bureau

Request for copy of credit bureau report

Demand for placement of statement on credit bureau

Notice of applicability of Soldier's and Sailors Relief Act

Claims of liability by others:

Demand for retraction, with text

Demand for retraction, no specific text

Federal Tort Claims Act, general claim form

Uninsured Motorist Claim and Trust Agreement

Subrogation agreement

Reservation of rights, punitive damages

First report of injury, worker's compensation

Medical:

Consent for autopsy

Consent for operation

Consent for operation, next of kin

Medical records release form

Protection of fee from accident (letter of protection)

Collection of Debts:

Assignment of account receivable

Collection agency agreement

Collection notice, first notice

Collection notice, second notice

Collection notice, third/final notice

Default notice- promissory note

Demand for additional collateral

Guarantees- limited, unlimited

Guarantees- alternate form

Proof of claim affidavit

Statement of account request, secured loans

Deed in lieu of foreclosure

Reinstatement of mortgage