The program will operate on most computers. Minimum for Win 9X, 2000 and NT is a 60mhz Pentium and 32MB of RAM. For Win XP, a 300mhz Pentium or higher and 128MB of RAM is required. Also, a minimum of 50MB free hard-disk space and a 2X CD-ROM is required. It also runs on MAC Power PC or G3 with OS 8.0 or higher. I did not test it on a Mac.

Installation of the program was fairly straightforward. For some reason, I kept getting an error saying that the install was attempting to add a DLL that was for Win NT. I kept clicking “OK” and the installation proceeded without mishap. When I tried to register the program, it would not connect directly via my DSL. I had to open my browser to get the registration to work. The install program put an “AOL install” icon on my desktop, which I quickly deleted. It really irritates me for programs to add things without asking.

The program contains an extensive questionnaire so that it can personalize documents for you and tailor them for the state in which you live. This feature saves a lot of data entry. Personal data can be entered for more than one individual. At start-up, you are asked to whom the new document will apply. By the way, hidden in very small print on the foldout flap of the retail box is this warning: “ Estate planning documents not valid in Louisiana”. Louisiana’s inheritance laws are based on the Napoleonic code which is a unique legal animal. (Believe me, I lived there.) A further note on the retail box states that if your estate is greater than the federal exclusion amount, “it may be desirable to use more complex estate planning techniques that are not provided by this program.” The CD-ROM contains video clips of Harvard Law Professor Arthur Miller answering the most commonly asked legal questions. The tool menu includes a link to It’s Legal.com which is a free legal advice site.  Further, the retail box has a small item on the spine that says “Legal Wise 20% off Legal Advice, see inside.” I saw inside and could never find a link, telephone number or any further reference to discounted legal advice. I did a Google search for “LegalWise” and found the site. Legal Wise appears to be some sort of “HMO” for legal services.  In navigating the user interface, I discovered that none of the icons on the Family Lawyer desktop have dropdown tags, a minor inconvenience.

When I tried to open my previous version, Quicken Family Lawyer 2000, I discovered that the new program had overwritten the old program. So, I was not able to do a side by side comparison of the two versions, but after trying the “Interview” for a couple of the forms, a simple will and a rental contract, I don’t seem to find any great differences. The list of what’s new on the retail box shows seven new forms and the ABA legal guide. The installation did recognize the two previous documents that I had created with the old version. 

So, what’s the bottom line? Family Lawyer 2002 is a smooth legal form creator and provides the resources to answer many common legal questions. It has real educational value with all the help and advice features. I much prefer using its forms instead of the ones you can buy at the office supply store. Over and above that, you may have to shell out the dough and see a lawyer. 

Family Lawyer 2002 is published by Broderbund’s subsidiary, The Learning Company. It’s average street price is about $30.00 for the Deluxe version and about $20.00 for the standard version which does not include the video clips and the extra reference books.