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06/03/2011 - FlexDraft Version 2011.02 released. FlexDraft
version 2011.02 is a minor update, including just a few refinements & corrections to the 2011.01 release:
- Word processor refinements.
- FlexDraft Setup program now uses Word 6.0
or WordPerfect 6.0 as the default Word/WordPerfect Word Processor, with
"WPStart.bat" as the default "Path Name" (in word processor
preferences) when it can't find a supported word processor.
- The WordPerfect 5.1 (DOS) file format is
now officially obsolete, replaced by WordPerfect 6.0 as the proper
"Export File Format" for use with all versions of WordPerfect.
- Warning for invalid Word Processor
"Export File Type" added to Draft Documents frame, with instructions
for setting "standard" word processor preferences.
- Misc. revisions to Resource ("help") frames.
- Current annual exclusion amount reference (in irrevocable trusts) updated from $12,000 to $13,000.
05/01/2011 - FlexDraft Version 2011.01 released. FlexDraft
version 2011.01 is a major update, including substantive
additions and
improvements, enhanced formatting and word processor support
options:
- Professional Edition now
available. At
long last, the Professional Edition is now available.
The Professional Edition includes all features of the
Standard
Edition but adds:
- Client letters
(proposed drafts & finals - "exit"
- letters);
- Client memos
(beneficiary designation recommendations &
personal effects memo instructions); and
- Trust "exit" memos
(funding
& administration "how to" instructions for irrevocable trusts).
These documents were
previously visible but grayed
out & unavailable (and remain so in the Standard and Express
Editions).
- Enhanced
and simplified FlexDraft interface.
In short, FlexDraft is easier
to use.
- In various instances,
frames and steps have been
eliminated (e.g., the "Gatekeeper" frame is gone).
- Frames have been
refined and/or standardized (e.g., the various name & address
frames are more consistent).
- Procedures are now
more
intuitive (e.g., the procedure for overriding standard "default"
document formatting for a specific client is simpler, and
client-override formatting can now be removed - & standard
formatting
applied - with only a couple of mouse clicks).
- Explanatory
"Resources" and warnings have
been added (e.g., warning regarding no Contest Clause -- unenforceable
if contest brought w/
probable cause & in good faith -- and caution
regarding Quik-Clone Wills when cloning is not
recommended).
- The program also has a
new color scheme and revised button layout which, I hope, will make it
visually easier to work with.
- Licensing & activation
restructured. The entire licensing and
activation process has been restructured.
- Expired free trials
can now be extended automatically for 15 days.
- The Activation Key for
a full license now incorporates the expiration date; i.e., FlexDraft licenses
will no longer function after they've expired.
However:
- Expired licenses can
be
reactivated automatically for 30 days via the
built-in 1-time
grace period, thus ensuring ample opportunity to purchase a license
renewal without interrupting your access to FlexDraft.
- If, for whatever
reason, it is not possible to acquire a license renewal, any expired
but otherwise valid FlexDraft license
can be converted to a "Legacy" license: Legacy licenses never
expire but can only be used with FlexDraft
versions released before the expiration date of the underlying license.
- ALL versions of
WordPerfect now supported fully. FlexDraft can now
send documents directly to any version of WordPerfect. (FlexDraft documents
have always been compatible with all versions of
WordPerfect, but prior versions of FlexDraft
were not always able to send documents directly to the latest
versions of WordPerfect. Instead, users had to instruct FlexDraft to save documents as
WordPerfect files then open those documents from Windows or
WordPerfect. This limitation has been eliminated.)
- Enhanced WordPerfect formatting
with WP/6.0 "Export File Format". FlexDraft now
uses the WP/6.0 (WordPerfect 6/...X15) file format for WordPerfect
documents. As a result, FlexDraft
has enhanced formatting control (e.g., FlexDraft now
controls the "base font" for it's documents); formatting quirks that
began with WordPerfect X13 are no longer a problem (e.g., automatic
paragraph numbers now retain their proper format in when the document
is opened in WP version X13 and later versions); and
setup is simpler (e.g., it is no longer necessary to conform your
WordPerfect "Initial Codes" with FlexDraft's format settings).
- Enhanced Microsoft Word
formatting. FlexDraft has
improved formatting abilities when using Word
as your word processor (e.g., more precise control of "keep together"
and "keep with following" formatting, improved header & footer
formatting, & elimination of excess "section breaks").
However, there are still some authorities Word
refuses
to relinquish (e.g., Word, not FlexDraft, still
controls the base font for documents, and it is still necessary to import and apply a FlexDraft
numbering "Scheme" into Word and then apply that numbering Scheme to FlexDraft
documents once they're opened in Word).
The setup instructions in the Getting Started Manual now
include step-by-step
instructions with screen shots for setting up Word Vista/Word 10.
- Substantive revisions. Version
2011.01 focuses on technical & other non substantive
revisions and on the release of the Professional Edition; however,
a few substantive revisions are also included, as follows (for a
detailed listing of specific revisions, see the "Updates" Resources in
the FlexDraft
program):
- "Interested Trustee" &
"Insurance Trustee" Sections (a/k/a, "Upjohn" clauses),
language refined and optional versions added ("Wall", "liberal 95-58"
and "strict 95-58").
- Plan Benefits Trusts;
language refined to better conform to regulations.
12/31/2008 - FlexDraft Version 2008.02 released. FlexDraft
version 2008.02 is a service release with only minor revisions.
Details are included in the "Updates" Resources for this
version.
12/01/2008 - FlexDraft Version 2008.01 released. FlexDraft
version 2008.01, like prior updates, includes substantive additions and
improvements as well as enhanced formatting and word processor support
options:
- Full WordPerfect support through
WordPerfect X3. (Documents prepared by FlexDraft
v.
2008.01 are fully
compatible with WordPerfect
X4 with only one limitation: FlexDraft is able
to directly
open documents in WordPerfect X3 and earlier versions only.)
- Full Microsoft Word through Word
Vista.
-
New "Max" Powers
of Appointment ("ANY individual or entity") added to
Marital, Bypass,
Child's, Grandchild's, and Descendant's Trusts.
- Improved
& expanded "Beneficiary Serving as Trustee"
section more clearly applies to all beneficially interested
trustees; optional "Rev Rul 95-58 Compliant Version" added as
alternative to
standard "Wall" version.
- Offset
authority added to "Form of Payment To
Beneficiaries".
- "Homestead
Maintenance And Expenses" subsection
(facilitating,
e.g.,enhanced income tax deduction of property taxes) added to the
"Personal
Effects; Personal Residence" section.
06/30/2006 - FlexDraft Version 2006.01 released. FlexDraft
version 2006.01includes substantial substantive updates, new features
to make drafting faster and more accurate, enhanced formatting options,
and additional support for Word (through version 2003) and
Word
Perfect (through version 12). Version 2006.01 updates include
the
following (for more details, see the Updates resource within the FlexDraft
program):
- New "Quick-Clone" option for instant
"mirror image" Wills. Once
you've prepared a Will for the first spouse, you can prepare a mirror
image Will for the second spouse in about 10 seconds using the new
"Quick-Clone" feature. Quick-Cloning works even if the
spouses
have different children and/or name each other in fiduciary
appointments.
- New HIPAA Authorization. A
HIPAA Authorization is now included in the Ancillary documents.
- Improved Word Support.
FlexDraft
now includes a dozen new "Numbering Scheme" documents, each reflecting
a different mix of heading formats and document layouts. You
can
import any Numbering Scheme into Microsoft Word with less than
10
mouse clicks. From then on, you can apply the imported Scheme
to
new FlexDraft
documents with only 4 mouse clicks.
- Improved Word Perfect Support.
Word Perfect users can now specify Arial or Roman typeface,
font
size, left or full justification, and more -- all from within FlexDraft.
- New
Trust Code Provisions Addressed.
Numerous substantive revisions to Will and trust language
incorporate and/or address the Texas Legislature's recent amendments to
the Texas Trust Code.
12/01/2004 - FlexDraft Version 2004.02 released. FlexDraft
version 2004.02 incorporates enhancements and refinements to version
2004.01, including the following (for more details, see the Updates
resource within the FlexDraft program):
- Explanatory "Resources" Improved. Improved
discussions of: UPIA "Activation"; Revocable Trust Declarations v.
Revocable Trust Agreements; availability and role of separate share
trusts in joint trusts; and others.
- Improved Word and Word Perfect Support.Cross
reference "glitches" fixed; miscellaneous formatting improvements.
09/01/2004 - FlexDraft Version 2004.01 released. FlexDraft
version 2004.01 implements Texas' new Uniform Prudent Investor Act,
adds improved formatting control and introduces the "Wording
Preferences" option to FlexDraft that will give you greater control
over the specific wording in your documents. Here's a quick summary.
(For a detailed list see Specific FlexDraft
Updates below.)
- UPIA Implemented
- "Prudent Investor" Rule. The new
"Prudent Investor" rule allows investments is all assets and generally
requires diversification unless the governing instrument provides
otherwise.
- Fiduciary Liability. Consistent
with UPIA's focus on the duties of fiduciaries, fiduciary liability is
now addressed by limiting duties rather than by limiting liability for
breech of duties.
- Duties at Inception of Trust.
The fiduciary's duties at the inception of an estate or trust are now
clearly spelled out.
- Improved Word and Word Perfect Support
- WordPerfect 11. FlexDraft
now integrates seamlessly with all versions of WordPerfect up through
version 11. (FlexDraft documents are 100% compatible
with WordPerfect version 12; the only limitation is that FlexDraft
cannot send documents directly to -- and launch -- WordPerfect 12)
- Word
2003. FlexDraft now integrates
seamlessly with all versions of Word up through version 2003.
- Other Improvements
- "Wording Preferences" and "Default
Answers". FlexDraft continues to increase
your ability to customize both the drafting process and the finish
product, by allowing you to set default answers for certain drafting
decisions (such as whether to include additional options in the medical
Directive) and to revise "standard" language (such as the list of
personal effects).
- Improved User Interface.
Numerous aspects of the FlexDraft user interface
have been refined to reduce errors and facilitate quick, accurate
drafting (e.g., QuikPics have been expanded to cover cash gifts).
06/01/2003 - FlexDraft Version 2003.01 released. FlexDraft
version 2003.01 provides improved formatting control and enhancements
to the user interface, including the following. (For a detailed list
see Specific FlexDraft
Updates below.)
- Advanced Formatting Control
- True Headings. Optionally, any
headings in Wills and trusts (Article, Section, Subsection, and
Paragraph) may be formatted as separate paragraphs from the text
following them (i.e., as "true headings").
- Outline Layout. Wills and
trusts may be formatted in outline layout (i.e., heading numbers are
"negative indented" or "hanging indented" aligned to the left of
heading captions and document text). FlexDraft's
original "Standard" layout is still available.
- Paragraph and Heading Spacing.
Spacing between all paragraphs, as well as spacing before and after
each level of headings, may be specifically controlled.
- Microsoft WORD Heading "Styles."
As separate paragraphs, True Headings with automatic paragraph
numbering are instantly converted into the appropriate Heading Style
paragraphs, opening up the full power of WORD's heading style
capabilities. (To enable this feature, simply format your outline
numbering levels 1 through 4 to be linked to the styles for heading
levels 1 through 4, respectively.)
- Improved Interface reduces errors.
Suspicious birthdates trigger a warning, and impossible "20xx"
birthdates trigger a warning and can be automatically converted to
"19xx" birthdates. Unanswered frames trigger warnings. Redundant
guardian appointments in a Will and a Declaration of Guardian trigger a
warning.
- An optional Change of Situs
clause is now available in Wills and trusts.
- An optional "Agent to Decide"
clause is now available as a third choice in the Directive to
Physicians ("Living Will").
11/01/2002 - FlexDraft Version 2002.02 released.
FlexDraft version 2003.01 provides
numerous improvements benefiting both current and new users, including:
- More and Improved "Resources". FlexDraft's
on-line "Resources" provide context sensitive help and legal commentary
for specific questions and options throughout the system. Numerous new
Resources have been added and many existing Resources have been
improved.
- Numerous technical refinements to
both the FlexDraft program and the Installer
program.
06/10/2002 - FlexDraft Version 2002.01 released.,
FlexDraft version 2003.01
provides many technical improvements, including the
following:
- Improved WORD and WordPerfect Support from
CAPS. CAPSoft Development recently released version 3.5 of
CAPS User (a/k/a "WinCaps"), the run time "engine" used by FlexDraft.
With the release of version 3.5, WinCaps and FlexDraft
support WordPerfect 2000 and WordPerfect
2002, and WORD 2000 and WORD XP.
The WinCaps 3.5 upgrade is provided free
to all licensed users.
- Simpler, More Advanced Setup.
With its improved Setup Program, FlexDraft 2002.01
provides automatic detection and setup of WordPerfect and/or
WORD, completely eliminating the need to manually set your
Word Processor Preferences in WinCaps.
- 100% On Line Delivery and Upgrade.
For several months, the FlexDraft web site has
provided on line updates to all licensed users. It now supports on line
delivery of the FlexDraft Setup Program to new
customers.
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