Q.

How can I create a companion document for the Spouse in CLEWills?

If you saved your answer file, go back into the Hot Docs interview using that answer file and switch the client and the spouse in your answer file. That way, when you generate the documents again, you will get a document with the same provisions for the other spouse.

Note: The attorneys who helped design this program said they usually just use Hot Docs to draft the documents for one of the spouses. They go through them and make any edits or other customizations that they need to make for that spouse. Then they Save As and create a companion document for the spouse using find and replace. Here is their process for using find and replace (Ctrl-H in Word):

1. Check the option that says “whole words only.” That will save you a lot of aggravation. They also usually check “match case.”
2. First, find and replace each instance of the first client’s name with the letters Xxx.
3. Then, find and replace each instance of the spouse’s name with the first client’s name (so that he or she becomes the spouse in the new document).
4. Finally, find and replace each instance of Xxx with the spouse’s name (so that he or she becomes the testator or settlor in the new document).

To state the obvious, be careful using gender-specific pronouns in any custom provisions you draft – instead of saying “my spouse, if she survives me,” say “my spouse, if my spouse survives me.”  We have tried to do that consistently throughout the forms, but we can’t control for custom drafting.

Q.

Is it possible to get no Marital or Family Trust to appear in a Chapter 12 Trust in CLEWills?

Yes. This occurs when the following selections are made in the ALLOCATION OF REMAINING TRUST ASSETS INFORMATION section:

• Under Marital Share Options, choose: "Distributed outright and free of trust"
• Under Family Share Options, choose: "all to descendants"

In this situation the Disclaimer Trust will come first in the Trusts section. The Single Trust for Children will follow, but no Marital Trust or Family Trust will be created. So it is possible in a Chapter 12 Trust to get no Marital Trust. If the user does not see a screen entitled MARITAL TRUST INFORMATION and/or FAMILY TRUST INFORMATION, then those trusts won't merge.

Q.

What are the system requirements for CLEPro and CLEWills? Do I need any special software? Will you send me a CD-ROM?

CLEPro and CLEWills Automated Document Systems require an Internet connection and the Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Google Chrome browser. (It will not work with Safari.) Because the system is browser-based, and accessed through a portal on our website, you do not download or receive any software. Completed forms can be edited using various word processing programs. After your documents are generated, you may download them to your device as an editable document.

Q.

If I'm assembling these documents on your website, won't my clients' private information be stored there?

No. When you build forms, our website will "interview" you to gain the information it needs. As you answer the questions, an answer file is being created. That answer file can only be saved to your computer; it will disappear completely if you do not save it. Saved answer files can be recalled at any time and used to make multiple forms. (The website will always ask whether you want to begin the assembly process using an existing answer file, and prompt you to find it on your computer.)

Q.

I can't find the answer file I saved yesterday. Where did it go?

Answer files are saved with the file extension .anx and will not be readable by programs or applications on your computer. Before you begin using CLEPro or CLEWills, we suggest creating a folder for all of your CLEPro or CLEWills information, at a location you can easily find. When our website prompts you to save answer files, be sure to save them to this location.

Q.

I know I made a mistake in an answer file, how do I fix the error?

When our website asks you whether you want to begin using a new or existing answer file, simply choose the "existing answer file" option and recall the answer file in question. You can then scroll through the interview to locate the inappropriately answered question and fix it.

Q.

I noticed a minor error on my finished form and fixed it. Will this be reflected in the answer file?

No. In order to ensure the error doesn't reappear the next time you build a form for this client, you must correct the information in the answer file, using the process described in the answer immediately above. The ability to edit completed forms is a valuable option, but editing the answer file is the best way to use CLEPro and CLEWills as intended.

Q.

How can I avoid having to type in the attorney information each time I use the system? What if I work with several attorneys?

To avoid having to type in the attorney information each time you begin a new probate, simply create an answer file containing only the attorney information. To do this, begin the system just like you would with a new probate and select "Begin using a new, empty answer file." Then select from the next menu "Single Forms." We suggest you select P-001. When the program asks you for specific information simply click through without answering the questions until you reach the attorney information questions. Complete that information and continue to the final screen. Then download and save the answer file to the specific location on your hard drive where you want to keep this attorney answer file and name it appropriately, e.g. RobertBSmith.anx. If you work with more than one attorney create a separate answer file for each attorney.

Now, when you go to open a new probate, after the Main Menu select "Use a HotDocs answer file from my PC" and select your attorney answer file. At the end of the form assembly process save the answer file to your client's subdirectory or to wherever you save answer files and rename the answer file using your client's name.

Q.

I don't have enough information to answer all of the interview questions, but my client is dropping by and I want the form to look professional. What can I do?

You can always download forms without completing an interview, but incomplete forms may contain unwanted coding and text. You can easily avoid this by inputting an underscore ("________") along the full bottom length of the question field.

Q.

The legislature made changes that I'm certain will affect these forms. Do I need to do anything?

No. We will upload new form templates as soon as possible; and, although the system may function exactly as before, the relevant changes will be reflected on your completed forms. Members of the Minnesota State Bar Association's Probate & Trust Law Section review the forms regularly. If you believe any of our forms contain an error, please do not hesitate to call us at 800-759-8840 or email your comments to customerservice@minncle.org.

Q.

Form attachments are cumbersome. Are they used in this system?

Form flexibility is integrated with the interview process. CLEPro and CLEWills forms are flexible and expand to capture all needed information (such as multiple interested parties) without resorting to attachments.

Q.

Does each attorney in my firm need their own CLEPro or CLEWills subscription?

Yes. But volume discounts are available for firms with multiple attorneys.

Q.

May my secretary or paralegal use my CLEPro or CLEWills subscription?

Yes. Support staff may use an attorney's Automated Document System subscription so long as they do so under the subscribing attorney's supervision.

Q.

What do I do if I decide that CLE Pro or CLEWills is not the program for me? Is there a return or cancellation policy?

We believe CLEPro and CLEWills will revolutionize the way you handle probates and estate planning; therefore we offer a money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with our product, we will refund the price of your current subscription, no questions asked.