Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it easy to learn how to use?



• What can I do with the demo?



• Do you have the new Means Test Forms and other changes? How can Best Case help me with Bankruptcy Reform?



• Can I download Credit Reports and import the information directly into the schedules? Can I access other due dilligence items?



• Does it work for electronic filing?



• Do you have local forms? What about other local requirements?



• Is there a client questionnaire?



• How does Best Case Bankruptcy compare to other bankruptcy software packages?



• Will I get technical support? What about updates? What about other services?



• How much do updates cost?



• How many people can use Best Case Bankruptcy? How many computers can we put it on?



• Can I install the program on my home computer or laptop?



• If I buy now but want to add chapters, users, or local forms later, how much will it cost?



• If I order today, how fast will I have it? What are my payment options?



• Can Best Case Bankruptcy be used by a debtor?

 

Scroll down to see answers to all the questions.

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Is it easy to learn how to use?

Best Case Bankruptcy was designed to be intuitively easy to use. Entry screens follow the actual forms produced, and information is neatly organized on the screen so that you can easily view and change information you have already entered. With Best Case Bankruptcy, you'll work your way through the forms quickly and easily, without navigating through cumbersome menu choices or questions that don't apply to the client. Best of all, we have devoted a great deal of time and development into the electronic filing features in the software, making the switch to ECF a breeze, even for computer novices. Many of our users say that they learned Best Case in one day; see our testimonials section for quotes from our happy - and relieved - customers.

What can I do with the demo?

The demo version, which you can download from our download page, is designed to give you an overview of how the program is designed, how easy it is to input information, and how the program works on your system. You can add clients, go through each screen, and test the printing. You can even use the demo to file a test case with electronic filing on your court's training site. There is no time limit, but forms print with the word "DEMO" over some of the information so you won't be able to use the demo to file real cases with the court. If you decide to purchase a package, we will provide you with an unlock code that converts the demo into the actual program, saving the work you have entered and removing "DEMO" from the forms. We will also send you a full User's Guide, an electronic filing booklet, a means test booklet, and a new CD-ROM.

Do you have the new Means Test Forms and other changes? How can Best Case help me with Bankruptcy Reform?

The Best Case® Bankruptcy Reform Edition was released in October, 2005 and updated in October 2006 to contain all changes to Official Forms necessary to initiate a petition in the bankruptcy court, and a robust, easy-to-use Means Test Calculator. Before entering all case information, you can use our Means Test Calculator to quickly check whether the debtor's income is below median. We perform the necessary calculations, and put IRS Allowances and Census Bureau Data at your fingertips. (Read MORE about our Means Test Calculator or download the Means Test Instructions.)

In the post-bankruptcy reform world, ordering credit reports and other due dilligence items for all bankruptcy clients has become standard procedure for many law firms. Through one of our two business partners, Best Case allows you to order electronic reports through an interface in our software, and download liabilities directly to creditor schedules. Other products, such as property valuations, tax transcripts, and credit counseling are also available for order.

Can I download Credit Reports and import the information directly into the schedules? Can I access other due dilligence items?

Yes! Ordering credit reports is standard procedure for many firms in the post-bankruptcy-reform world. Our Credit Report Import™* feature allows you to order credit reports while in Best Case. When electronic reports are available (a few minutes after ordering), our import feature copies information from reports directly to creditor schedules in the program. The creditor name, address, and amount of claim are copied with the click of a button - no retyping needed! We offer a choice of two vendors for ordering reports. See our Credit Report Import page for details.

Other due dilligence items are also available for order through CIN Legal or OCR Suite Solutions. Items such as property valuations, tax transcripts, and credit counseling are just a few mouse clicks away!

*Our credit report import feature is a web service, the use of which requires that you be covered by our annual maintenance program, included for your first year.

Does it work for electronic filing?

Yes! Best Case Bankruptcy is the recognized leader for electronic filing. Over half a million cases were filed with our simple OneTouch® Electronic Filing System in 2005, and attorneys in every live electronic district file with Best Case Bankruptcy every day. These ECF features are just a few more reasons to move up to Best Case:

• OneTouch. Allows you to file complete and skeletal (emergency) petitions on the court's CM/ECF website with a quick click! We closely monitor each court's web site every day to provide you with the most robust, reliable electronic filing system available anywhere.
• Best Case ECF Wizard. Provides step-by-step guidance for choosing forms for electronic filing, putting forms in the order your court requires and giving files the correct names.
• ECF Manager. Allows you to view PDFs prior to upload, and displays receipts of all submissions in the case.
• ECF Express™. Simplifies the process of uploading amendments, adding creditors, and submitting supplemental documents by automating certain processes on the court's website.
• Best Case PDF Maker. Lets you create PDFs of forms, schedules, motions, scanned documents, and more, all without purchasing any additional software!
• BestScan™. Provides a simple way to scan a document and save it as a PDF for easy upload. Use it for pay stubs, tax returns, and documents with actual signatures. (Works with any scanner with a TWAIN driver.)

Best Case is the easiest, most reliable way to file electronically. Once you learn how to file electronically with Best Case, you'll wish you had made the switch long ago. Visit the Electronic Filing section to find out more about ECF, find links to many specific filing instructions, take a quick ECF tour to see how easy electronic filing is in Best Case Bankruptcy, and more!

Do you have local forms? What about other local requirements?

Best Case offers many local forms which are included for no additional charge, and certain custom Chapter 13 Plans which cost a bit extra. Please visit our local forms page for a full list.

Our electronic filing system is also customized and rigorously tested for every district, as is each local creditor address matrix format. Best Case Bankruptcy comes with settings for each district, and customizable exemption statutes for all states, as well as Federal exemptions. Our new Exemption Analyzer helps you select which state's exemptions apply for each case.

Is there a client questionnaire?

You can print two client questionnaire formats (one for business debtors, one for non-business) from the Supplemental Forms folder in Best Case Bankruptcy. Your clients can then fill in the questionnaire, after which you can enter the data into the program. You can also modify or customize the questionnaires as needed. Questionnaires have been updated with bankruptcy reform information.

How does Best Case Bankruptcy compare to other bankruptcy software packages?

With over twelve years of experience developing bankruptcy software, listening to attorneys and support staff who use our software, working with courts to make electronic filing a breeze, and looking for ways to improve our products, we are able to offer the most powerful bankruptcy software available.

It is easy for us to say that our software is the best - but we think it is more important that our customers who have switched from other programs say so, loudly and often! Our users say that compared to other programs, Best Case:

• Makes the switch to ECF painless
• Does more of the work for you, while offering you greater flexibility
• Is easier to use
• Has the best technical support around
• Is worth every penny - even worth a higher price
• Has great updates with useful features and forms, not just bug fixes
• Speeds up filings with fast data entry, quick printing and electronic filing, and automatic data saving
• Has icons and menus that are easier to understand
• Has a top-notch Means Test Calculator that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the new requirements

See our testimonials section for customer quotes, or call us at 1.800.492.8037 to receive a fax of local references. If the words of our users aren't enough, we encourage you to try the demo version of our software. Take the time to compare our software to our competitors'. You'll see why so many attorneys have switched to Best Case Bankruptcy, and why we have satisfied customers in all fifty states. Just a few minutes of reviewing the demo will help you make the right choice.

Will I get technical support? What about updates? What about other services?

We want you to get the most out of Best Case Bankruptcy and want you to be a satisfied customer for many years to come, so we offer a generous maintenance package. The purchase price of your program includes one year of maintenance for free. That's toll-free technical support, free updates available for download, and the use of web services* such as our OneTouch electronic filing system. If you ever need to call for assistance, you'll find that our representatives are knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to reach.

After the first year, you can continue with this level of support for an affordable annual fee. Base maintenance prices for the year 2007 are $225.00 for Chapter 7-Only, $320.00 for Chapters 7 & 13, $330.00 for the Full package, and $530.00 for the Multi-User version. There are additional fees for additional user licenses and features sold as add-ons, such as custom Chapter 13 plans.

Our maintenance packages allow you to budget for the year with no hidden costs. While under maintenance, major updates will be sent automatically, at no additional charge, and minor updates will be available for free download.

*Web services include but are not limited to OneTouch Electronic Filing, ECF Express™, Pay Now Express™, and Credit Report Import. You must be covered by our annual maintenance program to use these services.

How much do updates cost?

Best Case Bankruptcy comes with free updates for one full year. Interim releases are issued as downloadable updates throughout the year, accessible through our Check for Update feature. After your first year, you will have the option of purchasing our affordable annual maintenance package if you would like to continue receiving updates automatically. We closely track all bankruptcy code changes and issue updates when there are changes in the Official Forms, so as long as you are covered by our maintenance packages, you can rest easy knowing that you would receive updates for free. Best Case Solutions has an excellent track record for issuing timely updates when there are changes to the Official Forms.

How many people can use Best Case Bankruptcy? How many computers can we put it on?

The single-user license allows one attorney and one support worker to use Best Case Bankruptcy at one office location. We do not license by number of computers; that is, the license is based on who is using the program at the law firm location. With permission from Best Case Solutions, the user may install Best Case Bankruptcy at home and at work, but only for use by the firm to which the software is registered. If other attorneys or support workers will be using Best Case Bankruptcy at the same law firm location, additional user licenses($125 each) must be purchased. Please note that additional user licenses do not allow for simultaneous use on a local area network. The single-user version may be installed on a local area network, but only one person at a time will be able to use the program. The chapters included with this version vary; see our pricing page for details.

The Multi-User license includes Chapters 7, 11, 12 & 13 and allows Best Case Bankruptcy to be installed on a local area network for users at one firm in one location. With this license, everyone at the law firm location is allowed to use the software, and up to three users may access the program simultaneously. Additional simultaneous user licenses may be purchased if more than three users need to be in the program at a time. Installation on a wide-area network requires permission from Best Case Solutions and purchase of additional site licenses. Contact our Customer Service staff at 1.800.492.8037 for details.

Additional site licenses are available at a discounted price for firms with multiple locations. (Please see our license agreement and order form for details.)

Can I install the program on my home computer or laptop?

With permission from Best Case Solutions, you can install Best Case Bankruptcy on your home and/or laptop computer in addition to your office computer, but only for use at your house or while in transit. Best Case Bankruptcy makes it easy to move client data from one computer to another. If you would like to install Best Case Bankruptcy at multiple office locations, we ask that you purchase an additional site license for each additional office. Contact our Customer Service staff at 1.800.492.8037 for details.

If I order today, how fast will I have it? What are my payment options?

We can setup your office to use Best Case the same day of purchase! If you have internet access, we can have you download our demo from our website and fax you codes to unlock the full version of the program after we process payment with a credit card over the telephone. We also ship via UPS ground ($9, 2-8 business days), Second Business Day Air ($19), or Next Business Day Air ($39). The package you receive will include a full User's Guide, documentation for using some of features of Best Case, and a new CD-ROM. Phone orders being sent via air will be shipped the same day if received by 5pm Central Time. Phone orders being shipped ground will be shipped either the same day or the following business day.

The quickest way to process payment is to call 1.800.492.8037 and pay with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card. If you prefer to pay with a company check, money order, or cashier's check, please send payment to Best Case Solutions, PO Box 32, Evanston, IL 60204-0032 and allow a few business days for processing. Please be sure to add local sales tax for the following states: AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, IL, MD, MA, MO, NC, NJ, PA, TX, VA, WA & WI. See Packages & Pricing for current pricing and to view a PDF of our order form.

If I buy now but want to add chapters, users, or local forms later, how much will it cost?

During your first year of purchase, you can upgrade to more expensive packages for no penalty. You will just pay the difference between the packages. After the first year, you can continue to upgrade without penalty if you stay covered by our affordable, annual maintenance package. For current pricing, see Packages & Pricing.

Can Best Case Bankruptcy be used by a debtor?

We cannot sell licenses directly to debtors. While filing for bankruptcy does require you to fill out lots of paperwork, it also involves extensive knowledge of bankruptcy law, practice, and procedure. Best Case Bankruptcy was designed for use in law firms by attorneys, legal secretaries, and paralegals. It is form preparation software which assumes that the user has extensive knowledge of bankruptcy practice.