Wealth Transfer Planning (InterActive Legal Systems), by Jonathan G. Blattmachr and Michael L. Graham, is a sophisticated automated drafting system for estate-planning documents. A state-of-the-art drafting system for taxable estates, Wealth Transfer Planning (WTP) is continually enhanced with additional features and documents.

The difficulty associated with this excellent software package is the high level of sophistication that many of the documents require. It increases the learning curve for the product and may be beyond the level of some user’s.

But pluses are many. In fact, David T. Leibell, a partner in the Stamford, Conn. office of Wiggin Dana LLP, a law firm that uses WTP, happened—unsolicited—to sing the software’s praises the other day to one of our editors. “It’s a terrific system. “Everybody should be using it.” Leibell said. “Why would you self create when this is out there?”

One of the most striking advantages to WTP is how it centralizes client information. WTP’s internal database stores client data and drafting choices; it also organizes client information and documents. Document production is based on HotDocs (HotDocs Player software is included with the program). The WTP interface insulates the user from the mechanics of HotDocs. WTP is designed for individual and network operation on PCs and operates on Windows or Citrix networks.

Initially, you enter client data and contact data for the client’s family and advisors. WTP even includes a facility to search for client names. You then are presented with a choice of documents to prepare. The interface displays tiered client documents on the left side of the screen. The right side of the screen displays a list of document actions associated with each document. A question list helps WTP develop planning recommendations for you.

When you select a document, you are presented with a series of questions (referred to as Interviews) designed to elicit the specific design of the document. The questions allow you to choose the plan content. Based on the client information and planning choices that are entered through the Interview process, WTP assembles the selected document and displays it in your word processor. You may select Word (versions through 2007) or WordPerfect (versions 11 through X4). A special WTP styles toolbar appears in the word processor. You may edit your document in your word processor and create a two level table of contents with the click of a mouse.

WTP is based on templates, consisting of rich text format files with document text and profiles. The templates, through the HotDocs system, apply the variables and rules that determine which text is included in the selected document. Profiles are sets of questions that apply to a selected document.

Recent additions that enhance the functionality of WTP include:

• Document Packages, which allow users to create an entire estate plan with a single interview;
• a Freeze Document feature, which allows users to keep multiple iterations of drafts in the system for comparison purposes;
• a custom toolbar for Word 2007; and
• expanded customization

Another element of the document assembly functionality in WTP includes the automatic inclusion of a qualified domestic trust in the will if the spouse of a client is a non-citizen. Also, revocable trust forms and specific tax-planning techniques (for example, unified credit in a decoupled state) may be selected with the program. WTP creates mirror-image documents for spouses by duplicating the one prepared for the first spouse and then rerunning the Interviews for the second spouse. A Preferences screen allows you to set documents to the format with which you like to work.

WTP is updated regularly and updates are automatically downloaded and installed.

Other Offerings From Interactive Legal Systems

The publisher also offers Elder Law & Special Needs Planning software by Thomas J. Begley, Jr., Andrew H. Hook, Bernard A. Krooks and Stephen J. Silverberg.

Elder Law & Special Needs Planning addresses estate planning for elder and special needs clients, special needs planning, powers of attorney and guardianships, various interfamily transactions, retirement asset planning, health and long-term planning (including Medicaid planning), reverse mortgages, and transfers to disabled children.

InterActive Legal Systems also offers Essential Estate Planning software by Jonathan G. Blattmachr and Michael L. Graham. A basic estate-planning system for non-taxable estates, Essential Estate Planning addresses planning for clients with means more modest than those who require Wealth Transfer Planning.

According to the publisher, Wealth Transfer Planning, Elder Law & Special Needs Planning, and Essential Estate Planning all have three layers: (1) a content layer (the templates, Q&As, and other legal materials); (2) a proprietary SmartContent front-end database (patent pending); and (3) the HotDocs assembly engine.

Available in both standard and professional versions, these products are designed to provide assistance in planning and drafting. The professional versions include unlimited technical and content support, and free access to all of the Leimberg Information Services research tools. The InterActive Legal Systems website includes archives of articles by the authors.