There are more family law software options than ever. Some have been around for decades, and some are new products with modern screens built on the same old workflow. A new interface doesn't help much if you're still typing the same numbers into three places.
Use these ten criteria to judge any tool, including ours.
1. One record from disclosure to decree
The most important question is whether the balance sheet, support worksheet, settlement agreement and court forms all draw from the same facts. If they don't, every change has to be made more than once, and errors creep in.
2. Client document collection built in
Look for a secure way for clients to upload statements against a clear checklist. Email attachments and shared folders are where documents get lost.
3. State-specific support calculations
Child support, spousal support and arrears should follow your state's guidelines and stay current when they change. Ask how quickly updates arrive.
4. Side-by-side what-if scenarios
Negotiation means comparing options. The software should let you model alternatives side by side without rebuilding the worksheet each time.
5. After-tax views of property division
An equal split of face values isn't always an equal split. Look for both pre-tax and after-tax views of the asset and debt division, with an equalization payment that updates when inputs change.
6. Retirement and pension tools
Pension valuations and retirement account division are where many settlements go wrong. They should be handled in the tool, not in a separate spreadsheet.
7. Parenting plans connected to the numbers
In many states, the residential schedule affects support. A custody calendar with overnight counts should feed the calculations that depend on it.
8. Access for the whole team
Most divorces involve several professionals. Look for a workspace where lawyers, mediators, financial neutrals, coaches and both parties each see only what they should, and where updates reach everyone who needs them.
9. Security you can explain to a client
At a minimum: encryption in transit and at rest, clear data residency, two-factor authentication, and access limited to the people added to each matter.
10. Low switching cost
The best test is your own work. Look for fast setup, a tool that works alongside the software you already use, and a trial on real matters before you commit.
Questions to ask in any demo
- If I change one balance, what else updates automatically?
- Can I trace every figure back to the document it came from?
- What can the client see, and what can't they see?
- Where is my data stored, and who can access it?
- Can I try it on one of my own closed matters?
Run the test on VennBoard. Bring us one closed matter and we'll audit it against the final outcome. Setup takes about an hour, and nothing has to be replaced. Start my pilot
This article is general information, not a product endorsement or legal advice.