August 2008

In this issue:

• Creditor Pick List Button
• Time-Saving Keystrokes
• Tips for E-Filing Amendments
• The Best Case Date Calculator
• Important Dates Tab
• Kill-All Shortcut

Shortcuts: Creditor Pick List Button

The Creditor Pick List Button saves you data entry time. Click the Creditor Pick List button seen below circled in red, then select the desired creditor and the information will automatically be inserted into the appropriate fields in Best Case. Access the Creditor Pick List button from any creditor entry screen, press F9 or through the Address Fill list.

Newsletter: Time-Saving Keystrokes: Open Windows, Screens and Features

• Ctrl + O - Client List Window
• Ctrl + Shift + N - Notes Screen
• Ctrl + Shift + E - Best Case Editor
• Ctrl + Shift + J - Jurisdictions

Feature Spotlight: Tips for E-Filing Amendments

It can be a bit more complicated to prepare and electronically file amendments manually. ECF Express^TM simplifies some of the steps for you. ECF Express will automatically:

• Log you into the court website and open the bankruptcy events page
• Add the case number in the entry field when prompted
• Select the Debtor and Joint Debtor on screens where parties are selected
• Open your client file in the ECF folder, which contains the electronic documents that are created and stored for this client

Check out these six simple steps to creating and filing amendments.

1. Contact your local court. Check to see if there are any specifications or requirements for filing amendments. For example, some courts require an amendment cover sheet to accompany the amended documents.
2. Update case information. Open the file in Best Case and make all the necessary changes. Then check the Amended Box in the lower left corner for Schedules A-H. ECF Express will select and create PDF documents for all forms with the Amended box checked. If the Amended checkbox is NOT selected these forms will appear blank.
3. Open the ECF Wizard.
   • Click the lightening bolt on the top toolbar to open the ECF Wizard, which automatically prompts you through the next steps.
   • Select Type of Filing. For amendments choose Amendment to Forms and Schedules and click Next.
   • Check the appropriate boxes to select the amended forms. Click Next.

   

4. Select Amendment Options. Choose from:
   • Print Amended in form title. This is a default option that many courts prefer.
   • Print Only Items Marked Amended on Sch A-H and Matrix
   • Create Creditor Mailing list file.

   

5. Prepare Filing. Write down the file name! You will need this when you connect to the court website. Then click Prepare Filing. PDFs of the selected amendments are created and are ready for review in the ECF Manager.

   

6. Verify then File with ECF Express. Highlight and click the View button or double-click on each file to view. Once verified select ECF Express to log onto the court website and begin filing.

   

The ECF login screen opens, enter your court CM/ECF Login Name and Password. The bankruptcy events page opens in the ECF Express window, then select the desired event. From here each court’s website is different but here is a sample of what to expect:

• Select file type and click Next.
• Select the party. ECF express automatically selects the Debtor and Joint Debtor if applicable. Click Next/Submit.
• Click Browse to locate the file.
• The client file automatically opens. Select the document to file and click Open.
• Click Next.
• Verify and confirm the docket test. A receipt is provided. Print a copy for your records.
• Click the bankruptcy link in the top toolbar to continue filing additional post-petition documents in the same session.

View a quick pre-recorded demonstration on filing an amendment!

Online Tools: Calculate dates instantly with the Best Case Date Calculator

This tool enables you to add or subtract days, months and years to a date to calculate a past or future date.

• Ascertain if your client meets the 730 day requirement for a State Exemption
• Identify the time spans for the Statement of Financial Affairs
• Analyze the dates and eligibility for a Homestead Exemption Limit
• Compute key look-back dates, like 910 days for auto loan cram downs

Access this online tool and bookmark it for future use!

Insights: Important Dates Tab - Checklist of Key Deadlines

When an expected filing date has been entered, Best Case produces a checklist of deadline dates for critical events and required documents. These dates are broken down and identified by either Prior to Filing or Post Filing. Check out a sample checklist and find out how to access this new feature.

Here are some of the events you can expect too see:

• The period for payment advices prior to filing
• The first available date for Credit Counseling
• The last day to provide tax returns to the U.S. Trustee
• File pay stubs if not filed with case
• Last date to file credit briefing certificate

Open the Important Dates Tab from the Notes button on the top toolbar. Click the far right tab to access a list of important events and their corresponding deadline dates. It is helpful to print a list of the dates. Click the print button on the lower left corner and the list will print on the Client Summary.

Best Practices: Kill-All Shortcut: Delete all entries on a Schedule

Thank you Patt Feuerbach from Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A. in Hackensack, New Jersey for submitting your favorite trick. You will be receiving a special gift in the mail. “We work with large cases where we're importing creditor information from an Excel spreadsheet provided by the client. This of course saves a lot of time as opposed to having to enter all those addresses, so Credit Report Import is my favorite feature. But sometimes after you've done the import, the client emails an updated spreadsheet and tells you to use that one instead. So my favorite shortcut is the "kill all" feature (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+K) which deletes all entries on the schedule so that I can start over!” – Patt Feuerbach

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Thank you for all your positive feedback. Keep it coming, it's important to know what topics you want to see in Spotlight. You, the Best Case user, drive the content of this newsletter. Email us now at spotlight@bestcase.com to provide us with your best practices, topic suggestions and feedback.