We are pleased to annouce the latest VLO software update which expands upon the VLO Forms Feature and provides new methods for operating a form-focused VLO.
This newest release of the VLO Forms Feature allows for the creation of forms from PDF Acroforms. PDF Acroforms are the same editable forms as those used by the IRS and other government agencies. This expanded feature leads to a new workflow option for an attorney’s virtual law practice.
Want to compete with the LegalZooms of the marketplace for online clients but also provide high-quality legal services? The VLO Forms Feature permits you to provide these affordable and convenient services along with the benefits of the other VLO features to handle the client’s matter just as you would if they came into a traditional law office. Our goal is to give attorneys the tools to meet the clients’ needs whether it is through the use of PDF forms or more personalized communication with the attorney through the VLO interface.
We have created two tutorial videos to walk VLO customers through this new option and have described the process in more detail below.
Using the Forms to Serve Clients & Generate Revenue
An exciting new option with this update is that the PDF form, once it is converted to a VLO form, may be exported back out to the PDF form you originally uploaded. After the client has filled out the form online, you may preview and save a hard copy of the completed form for yourself or provide that completed PDF document to the client for review or purchase in one step.
An Example Way to Use The PDF Forms Feature
• A client registers and asks for a form to be submitted to the court. You have your own version of this form with field names designed to work with the VLO and you have a VLO form that was created from this PDF version of the court form.
• You give the client a fixed fee quote of what you will charge them for the form and your review, and attach the VLO form for the client to fill out online.
• The client accepts the quote and fills out the requested information.
• You review the information and created PDF from the client’s form using the option to upload the final PDF to the client as his or her final legal product.
• When you do this, the amount you entered in the quote field for the quote that you provided will become the total due immediately.
• Once the total due has been paid, the final PDF will be unlocked for the client who may then open the PDF and print a copy to take to the court for filing.
Step One: Creating PDF Acroforms
The first step is to create PDF Acroforms from the existing forms that you use to work with your clients. These could be client intake forms, worksheets, or PDFs from your local courthouse or government entity. You may create a PDF Acroform for free using Open Office, but there are other options. The same process may be done with Microsoft Office and a plugin, such as CenoPDF. The full version of Adobe Acrobat also has the option to build forms in the same method as used in the Open Office demo, but the Help Text field in Acrobat is called Tooltip. This Tooltip becomes the VLO Label that clients see.
Step Two: Using Forms in the VLO
Once you have created a PDF Acroform there is a new option in the Forms Library to create a VLO form from PDF. The software will import your PDF and create a new form for use in the VLO. You may then edit the form and add in your unique instructions and legal guidance to assist the client in filling out the form online. After this form is completed you may continue to use it from your Forms Library with new online clients without having to go through the creation or editing steps again.
As always your feedback is welcome and encouraged. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Kind regards,
Benjamin, Stephanie and the Team at Total Attorneys.