DivorceHelp123 vs. FormuLaws
Comparison Overview & Workflow Analysis
Technology
Modern
Cloud-Based & Integrated
User Experience
A+
World Class Firm & Client UX
Workflow
Automated
No Data Re-entry
| Feature | DivorceHelp123 | FormuLaws | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Cloud Modern | Cloud Old | |
| Asset Distribution Output | Excel with Formulas | ||
| Child Support | Yes | Yes | |
| User Experience: Firm & Client | World Class | Awkward; Form based so re-enter same info | |
| Client Document Upload | State-Specific categories | None | |
| Disclosures Statement | Detailed | None | |
| Other Documents & Firm Templates | All, Custom Fields | Other Docs, No Firm Templates | |
| Asset Distribution Comparison Reports | Yes | One Asset Distribution Scenario so no comparison reports | |
| Firm Branding, Clients Dashboard, In-App Help | Yes | No | |
| Done Tracking; Client Milestones; Notifications | Yes | No | |
| Complex Accounting (Tax/Cash Flow) | No | Yes |
Collect Client Data Workflow
| Feature | DivorceHelp123 | FormuLaws | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Client App | World Class Online Client App | Archaic Online Client App; Usually PDF Form | Since the client app is so cumbersome, most clients won't use it. So firms collect the data from the client some other way, typically sending them an editable PDF via email. This creates all of the workflow inefficiencies firms should avoid. See: Workflow Improvements: Collect Client Data |
| Self-Serve | Easy Self-Serve | Difficult, Channel switching | |
| Data Entry & Update | Clients and you enter & update data in same location | Sending files back-and-forth | |
| Data Population | Data automatically populates financial statement, all child support scenarios, and all property division scenarios | Data automatically populates financial statement, all child support scenarios, and all property division scenarios | |
| Reminders | Automated reminders to clients | DATA TRANSCRIPTION | |
| Tracking | Done tracking & automated Done Reports | Files on computer hard drive | |
| Automation | Ai123 Automates the extraction of data from financial documents... skip the client data entry altogether! | Unsecure email |
Client Forms
| Feature | DivorceHelp123 | FormuLaws | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Items | Variable Number of Items: Add Rows as Needed | Repeating Same Info | Since the client app is so cumbersome, most clients won't use it. So firms collect the data from the client some other way, typically sending them an editable PDF via email. This creates all of the workflow inefficiencies firms should avoid. See: Workflow Improvements: Client Forms |
| Language | Everyday Language | Questions that Don't Apply | |
| Question Style | 1st High Level Questions -> Determine if More Questions Apply | Legalese | |
| Instructions | Concise Questions, Further Instructions | Complex Information without Clear Instructions | |
| Options | Provide List of Options where Possible | Require Enter in a Certain Frequency | |
| Frequency | Allow Entering in any Frequency | Calculations | |
| Auto-Calculate | Auto-Calculate (or Don't Show) | Extra Lines and Not Enough Space | |
| Tracking | To Be Determined; Done Checkboxes with Dates | Done checkboxes |
Collect Client Documents Workflow
| Feature | DivorceHelp123 | FormuLaws | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Submission | Electronic Files -> Ideally Native PDFs, not Scanned Image Files | Hard-to-Find Requirements | FormuLaws doesn't offer any functionality for collecting client documents. This creates all of the workflow inefficiencies firms should avoid. See: Workflow Improvements: Collect Client Docs |
| Portal | Secure Online Portal | Paper / Unsecure Email! | |
| Instructions Context | Requirements & Instructions in Same Location as They Use to Submit | Channel Switching | |
| Organization | Upload by Category that Auto Organizes by Folder | No Organization of Files | |
| Naming & Indexing | Apply File Naming Conventions; Automatic Generation of Itemized Disclosure Statement | Inconsistent Filenames; Manual Creation of Detailed Disclosure Statement | |
| Future Automation | Coming soon to Ai123: Automate the renaming of files using consistent filenames!! |
Child Support Workflow
| Feature | DivorceHelp123 | FormuLaws | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Entry | Clients and You Enter & Update Data in Same Location | Income and Expense Data Reentry into Child Support /App | |
| Auto-Population | Data Automatically Populates Financial Statement, all Child Support Scenarios | Data Reentry to Create Additional Scenarios | |
| Scenario Management | Multiple Scenarios without reentering info or losing initial scenario information | Overwrite Original Scenario Values when Try Something Different | |
| Sync Control | Optionally turn off automatic synchronization of certain income/expense items | Manual Data Updates in Every Scenario when Income/Expenses Change | |
| Comparison Reports | Easy Scenario Comparison Reports: All Values or Only Different Values | No Easy Way to See Scenarios Side-by-Side |
Asset Distribution Workflow
| Feature | DivorceHelp123 | FormuLaws | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Entry | Clients and You Enter & Update Data in Same Location | Asset and Debt Data Reentry into Excel Template | |
| Data Integrity | Data Automatically Populates Financial Statement, all Property Division Scenarios | Having to Update Formulas with Possibility of Missing Something or Overwriting | |
| Scenario Management | Multiple Scenarios without reentering info or losing initial scenario information | Data Reentry to Create Additional Scenarios Overwrite Original Scenario Allocations when Try Something Different | |
| Comparison Tools | Easy Scenario Comparison Reports: All Assets or Only Assets with Different Allocations | Manual Data Updates in Every Scenario Sheet when Asset & Debt Values Updated No Easy Way to See Scenarios Side-by-Side | |
| Final Reports | Final Reports: Editable Excel or Google Sheets with Visible Formulas |