1. How does EstateWorks improve efficiency and save time? EstateWorks gives you the ability to manage all estate information in one place and have it easily accessible by everyone on the team from any location. As a management tool, EstateWorks helps you see where work is piling up within the department so it can be redistributed. Managers can access reports with information on overdue tasks with the underlying reasons that may be delaying them.
2. What about Estate Planning-does EstateWorks have an Estate Planning solution? EstateWorks introduced a comprehensive Estate Planning system in 2005--used by more ACTEC members than any other Estate Planning system.
3. I need to generate letters to our client's contact list-can I automate that using EstateWorks?
Yes, EstateWorks makes that easy. You use Microsoft Word® to prepare a template for the letters then EstateWorks merges in client and contact information automatically. We use LexisNexis HotDocs® to produce the documents.
4. Do I need to retype information once I have entered it in EstateWorks?
No, that's the advantage of the product. Once you enter client information for an estate plan or administration, that information automatically flows into reports and forms.
5. Often a decedent's assets are held in a trust or brokerage account. Is there a way to group these assets for valuation and reporting?
Yes, EstateWorks lets you "roll up" assets into groups for reporting on asset value and probate inventory reports.
6. Does EstateWorks interface with any Estate Tax Form 706 programs?
Yes, we export client, asset, expense, and beneficiary information to many 706 programs including Thomson Fast-Tax FPS, Intuit Lacerte, FASTER Systems, CCH ProSystem fx, and Lackner 6-in-1.
7. How can I use the EstateWorks calendar to manage my tasks?
You can customize your calendar views to show all your assigned tasks or other tasks for your cases and the person responsible. You can receive a weekly email to remind you of tasks due that week.
8. Does EstateWorks let me attach a note to an individual task, asset, or case?
Yes, you can attach and prioritize notes where needed and then email them to team members, contacts, or anyone else.
9. What program do you use to value securities as of date of death?
EstateWorks imports assets from Appraise and from EstateVal, the program used by the IRS for date-of-death valuations. You can enter the assets in EstateVal or Appraise and that asset information flows into EstateWorks.
10. Time is money. What kind of training do I need to get everyone who will be using EstateWorks up to proficiency?
Training is included in the initial license fee for each user. We tailor the length, format, and content to meet your unique needs. In addition we provide a comprehensive on-line knowledge base, tutorials, and documention for continuing product education.
11. I store all my contact information in Outlook. Do I have to retype it into EstateWorks?
No, EstateWorks has an automated import from Outlook contacts. Contact information is setup and can be linked to one or more cases.
12. Can I produce an inventory of an estate's probate assets?
Yes, once asset information is in EstateWorks, you can produce a probate inventory report, which can be exported to an Excel spreadsheet to customize the report.
13. Will EstateWorks help me track creditor's claims on an estate?
Yes, all liabilities are entered into the Financial Tab section in EstateWorks. You can track creditor's claims from initial claim filing through satisfaction of the claim and view progress on a status report.
