TexasBarBooks Digital Product FAQs
(Click here for TexasBarCLE FAQs.)
Licensed Users
Download and Installation
Troubleshooting
Usage Tips
TexasBarBooks Contact Information
Licensed Users
Who is allowed to use the digital product?
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Texas Probate Forms Builder: The material in the Texas Probate Forms Builder digital product is licensed to the purchaser for use on one workstation only. The material may not be used on additional workstations unless the original purchaser also purchased additional licenses or an entity license. For more details, see the terms of the Forms Builder License and Limited Warranty.
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All other TexasBarBooks products: The material in TexasBarBooks digital products other than Forms Builder is licensed to the purchaser for use by one lawyer and that lawyer's support team only. At any given time, the material in the files may be installed only on the computers used by that lawyer and that lawyer's support team. For more details, see the terms of the License and Limited Warranty.
How do I make the digital product available to other lawyers in my firm?
The current owner of a book or manual may purchase additional and entity licenses for the digital product at special prices. An entity license allows a firm to place the digital product's contents on the firm's intranet. To find out more, go to http://TexasBarBooks.net/additional-licenses/.
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Download and Installation
Why does TexasBarBooks no longer provide the digital product on CD-ROM?
Downloadable digital products allow TexasBarBooks to provide better service:
- Easier access: You will never be more than a log-in and a download away from that part of your TexasBarBooks library, even if half a world away from your office and hard copy.
- Availability on demand: When you purchase TexasBarBooks products online, you will be able to instantly download the digital product—no more waiting for your CD-ROM to be shipped.
- Faster publication time: By eliminating CD-ROM production time, we can now get published titles into your hands faster.
- Up-to-date information: TexasBarBooks will be better able to provide you with updates, and if you reinstall the product you will always know you are installing the latest version for the edition or supplement you purchased.
- Less environmental impact: By eliminating CD-ROMs, fewer materials are consumed during production, and no outdated CDs will be sent to landfills when the book's next edition or supplement is released.
The digital products still contain all the great content you've come to expect from TexasBarBooks in a format that's faster, easier, and greener. If you need a copy of the product on an external storage device, you can easily copy the digital files to CD-R, flash drive, or whatever device works best for you.
How many times may I download the digital product?
Licensed users may download the digital product as many times and as frequently as necessary, subject to the terms in the License and Limited Warranty.
What if I can't find the digital product download Web page?
See the separate tips for finding a digital product's download Web page.
What if the file won't download from the Web page?
See the separate tips for downloading and installing a digital product.
What does the "Windows" executable (EXE) file do?
The Windows-compatible downloadable file for each TexasBarBooks digital product is an executable (EXE) file that, when run, will automatically install the complete digital product on your computer.
What if I want both versions of forms installed on my computer for a manual that has separate Word and WordPerfect installation files?
Simply download and install both the Word version and the WordPerfect version. Only one set of the files common to both installations (for example, the main PDF files of the manual) will remain installed, but all folders and files for both the Word and WordPerfect versions of the forms text files will install, and the links to both versions from the main PDF files of the manual will be fully functional.
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How do I convert MS Word files to WordPerfect?
WordPerfect is no longer supported for the Texas Collections Manual, the Texas Foreclosure Manual, the Texas Guardianship Manual, or the Texas Real Estate Forms Manual. You may convert the MS Word files for these digital products to WordPerfect yourself using the following procedures. Note that anomalies will likely exist in the converted files, and they will require proofreading and minor revision before use.
To convert a single Word file to WordPerfect, follow the instructions below:
- Launch WordPerfect.
- From WordPerfect's menu bar, select File > Open.
- In the Open File window, navigate to and open the desired Word file. To ensure that Word file names appear in WordPerfect's Open File window, make certain that "All Files" is the option selected for that window's "File type" option.
- With the selected Word file open in WordPerfect, from the WordPerfect menu bar, select View > Hidden Text.
- From the WordPerfect menu bar, select File > Save As and save the converted file with the desired file name at the desired location.
With WordPerfect version 11 or later, it's also possible to batch-convert several or all of the digital product's Word files to WordPerfect in a single process. To launch the WordPerfect batch-conversion utility, follow the instructions below:
- Click the Start button on your computer's task bar. This button is usually at the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Select the (All) Programs menu item.
- From the list of programs that should appear, select WordPerfect Office or its equivalent.
- From the list of options that should appear for that program, select Utilities.
- From the list of utilities that should appear, select Conversion Utility.
- When adding files for conversion, note that the forms files for the latest TexasBarBooks digital products reside inside the installed digital product's "Source_files" folder. For example, if you installed the Texas Real Estate Forms Manual 2012 digital product to its default installation location, in the WordPerfect Office Conversion Utility window, click the Add... button, navigate to C:\Texas Real Estate Forms Manual 2012\Source_files\, and select the desired files (e.g., "Form1-1.doc," "Form1-2.doc," etc.).
Note: The latest version of forms from TexasBarBooks includes all instructions formatted as red-colored hidden text instead of included as comments. To view or hide the instructions, from your WordPerfect menu bar, select View > Hidden Text. To delete a red boxed instruction (or another entire red paragraph of instructions), quadruple-click any part of the text in the paragraph and, after the paragraph has been selected/highlighted, press your keyboard's Delete or Backspace key. By selecting the entire paragraph in this manner, even the border surrounding the instruction text should be selected and deleted along with the instruction text itself.
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Troubleshooting
What if my PC has trouble running the "Windows" executable (EXE) file?
If you do not have full administrative privileges on your computer, first contact your network administrator for assistance. If this is not the source of the trouble, see the FAQ immediately below.
What if I prefer not to run the EXE file or if my network administrator cannot get it to run properly?
You may download the ZIP file instead. Then, manually extract the entire digital product from the ZIP file and save the extracted parent folder (and all its contents) at the desired hard drive location. (See the extraction instructions below.)
Will both the EXE file and the ZIP file work on either Windows or Macintosh systems?
Although the "Mac" manual installation ZIP file will work on either Windows or Macintosh systems, the "Windows" EXE file is not Macintosh-compatible. Note, however, that if the ZIP file is used to install the digital product on Windows systems, the product must be manually extracted from the ZIP file to function properly. (See the extraction instructions below.)
What if the PDF file's links to the editable text files don't work?
Two problems could prevent the main book's links from launching external documents such as the word-processing files included with many of the digital products.
- The digital product's folders or files have been renamed, or its file structure has been altered. If you suspect this is the source of the trouble, try downloading and installing the digital product again.
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The digital product was downloaded and installed on a Windows system using the "Mac" ZIP file instead of the "Windows" EXE file but the contents of the ZIP file were not properly extracted. If you suspect this is the source of the trouble, extract the contents of the ZIP file by following the instructions below.
Instructions for extracting the contents of the downloaded and saved ZIP file:
- Using Windows Explorer or My Computer, navigate to and select (highlight) the downloaded and saved ZIP file.
- Right click and select "Extract all."
- An extraction utility should open. Follow the prompts.
If neither of these procedures corrects the problem, contact TexasBarBooks at (800) 204-2222, ext. 1499; in Austin, at (512) 427-1499; or at books@texasbar.com.
What if I can't use the new TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar?
Note: The TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar is currently available for the following publications' digital products:
- Texas Collections Manual, fourth edition
- Texas Family Law Practice Manual, third edition
- Texas Foreclosure Manual, second edition
- Texas Guardianship Manual, third edition
- Texas Real Estate Forms Manual, second edition
- A Road Map to Guardianship Alternatives
If the toolbar installed properly and you need instructions on how to use it, view the video tutorial at http://TexasBarBooks.net/tutorials/.
If, however, you suspect the toolbar did not install properly, or if it did not install at all, try to determine if one of the following might be the source of the trouble:
- The digital product was installed without full administrative privileges. If you suspect this is the source of the trouble, contact your system administrator.
- The digital product was installed on a network using a computer other than yours, but the toolbar was not installed on your computer. If you suspect this is the source of the trouble, contact your system administrator. If you are the system administrator and you're unsure of how to install the toolbar on your network's additional computers, see the separate instructions for installing the Navigational Toolbar on network computers.
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Your copy of Word or WordPerfect is not a version compatible with the Navigational Toolbar. (See the required-software FAQ below for version details.)
Even if your copy of Word or WordPerfect is not a version compatible with the Navigational Toolbar, tools inherent in those word-processing programs may take advantage of the new features in the forms editable text files.
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All red instructional text in the editable text files is formatted as hidden text. Even without the new Navigational Toolbar, you may manually toggle hidden text between visible and hidden or permanently delete the hidden text by following the instructions below. (Note that the exact procedures outlined below might vary from version to version of Word or WordPerfect. Note also that anyone who receives a copy of a file can view hidden text unless the text has been permanently deleted instead of only set as hidden. We recommend creating a copy of your forms text file before permanently deleting hidden text, so that you will retain a copy that includes the instructions.)
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To hide or show hidden text in Word—
- from the menu bar, select Tools > Options;
- Click the View tab;
- under "Formatting," to hide hidden text, uncheck the "Hidden text" box (to show hidden text instead, check the box); and
- click OK.
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To hide or show hidden text in WordPerfect—
- from the menu bar, select Tools > Settings;
- in the Settings window that opens, select Display;
- in the Display Settings window that opens, to hide hidden text, uncheck the "Hidden text" box (to show hidden text instead, check the box); and
- click OK to close the Display Settings window and then click Close to close the Settings window.
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To permanently delete hidden text in Word—
- from the menu bar, select Edit > Replace;
- place your cursor in the "Find what" field;
- on the "Format" list, select "Character" (or "Font");
- check the "Hidden text" box; and
- leaving the "Replace with" field blank, click "Replace all."
- Permanently deleting hidden text in versions of WordPerfect earlier than 10 requires manually deleting each instance of hidden text. To delete a red boxed instruction (or another entire red paragraph of instructions), quadruple-click any part of the text in the paragraph and, after the paragraph has been selected/highlighted, press your keyboard's Delete or Backspace key. By selecting the entire paragraph in this manner, even the border surrounding the instruction text should be selected and deleted along with the instruction text itself.
- You may search for bracketed fill-in instructions by using your word-processing software's Search tool to search for opening brackets.
If none of these procedures corrects the problem, contact TexasBarBooks at (800) 204-2222, ext. 1499; in Austin, at (512) 427-1499; or at books@texasbar.com.
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Usage Tips
What does the digital product contain?
Except for Texas Probate Forms Builder, the digital product contains an exact representation of the printed book in PDF.
Depending on the book, the digital product also contains—
- editable text files of forms in Word and WordPerfect (the Texas Business Entities Forms Manual: Corporations, the Texas Family Law Practice Manual, third edition, and the Texas Probate System, third revised edition);
- editable text files of forms in Word only (all other forms manuals);
- charge language/instruction files in RTF (Texas Pattern Jury Charges series); or
- other relevant documents for use by your office.
Some products also include the full text of selected CLE articles from the TexasBarCLE Online Library or forms available from state and federal agencies as PDF files.
Texas Probate Forms Builder is a HotDocs-based document assembly template set adapted from the entire Texas Probate System, third revised edition, and includes all instructions, letters, forms, worksheets, and lists. Forms Builder assembles documents in PDF, Word, or WordPerfect.
For user convenience, the digital product for the Texas Probate System, third revised edition, also contains individual PDF files of the Probate Chart, the Master Information List (MIL), the Probate Information List (Form 1), the Texas Lawyer's Creed (Form 99), the Worksheets, the Checkplan, and the Significant Date List (SDL).
The digital products' PDF files are fully word-searchable. Texas and federal case and statutory citations are linked to the Casemaker database online. Tables of contents, internal cross-references, and indexes are hyperlinked to allow for easy, rapid navigation to substantive topics of interest.
Note: The editable text files are intended to be used only in conjunction with the practice notes (forms manuals), special instructions (the Texas Probate System), or PJC Comments (Texas Pattern Jury Charges series) to ease the task of preparing documents in your office. Reading the practice notes, special instructions, or Comments and reviewing the forms, charge language/instruction, or other corresponding guidelines in the publication are essential to ensure proper preparation of documents.
What software is required to use the digital product?
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PDF file software—Software for viewing PDF files is required to use the bookmarks, links, and buttons of the digital product. You may download a free copy of the Adobe Reader software (version 10.0 or later is recommended) at http://get.adobe.com/reader/ or of the Foxit Reader software at http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/index.php.
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Word-processing software
- Word files: The TexasBarBooks digital products for all forms manuals and the Texas Probate System, third revised edition, include editable text files in Word. Although any version of Word 6.0/95 or later should open the files, to use the new TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar, Word 2003 or later is recommended.
- WordPerfect files: The Texas Business Entities Forms Manual: Corporations, the Texas Family Law Practice Manual, third edition, and the Texas Probate System, third revised edition, include editable text files in WordPerfect. Although any version of WordPerfect 6.0 or later should open the WordPerfect files, to use the new TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar, WordPerfect* 10.0 or later is recommended.
* For WordPerfect version 10 or 11, be certain to install any available WordPerfect service packs before installing a TexasBarBooks product that includes the WordPerfect version of the Navigational Toolbar. To download WordPerfect service packs, go to ftp://ftp.corel.com/pub/WordPerfect/wpwin/10/ (version 10) or ftp://ftp.corel.com/pub/WordPerfect/wpwin/11/en/ (version 11).
- Rich Text format (RTF) files: The editable text files included with the digital products for the Texas Pattern Jury Charges series, Arbitration Road Map, and Bracing for Impact exist in RTF, which should be compatible with any word-processing software.
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HotDocs software—Texas Probate Forms Builder cannot be installed or used unless version 2009 or later of one of the following editions of HotDocs is already installed:
- HotDocs Player,
- HotDocs User,
- HotDocs Developer,
- HotDocs Developer LE,
- HotDocs Professional Edition with PDF Advantage, or
- HotDocs Standard Edition with PDF Advantage.
HotDocs software is designed for use on Windows only; HotDocs and Forms Builder are not Macintosh-compatible.
HotDocs Player 10 is included with and may be installed from the downloadable Forms Builder installation file. Player 10 has the following minimum system requirements:
- 900 MHz processor;
- 1 GB RAM;
- 25 MB hard-disk storage;
- Windows 7, Vista, or XP;
- Internet Explorer 6; and
- MS Word 2000 or WordPerfect 8.
What tips do you have for taking full advantage of the features of the PDF files?
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To use the bookmarks: The bookmarks navigation panel appears on the left side of the Adobe Acrobat/Reader window and displays all chapter, form/PJC, and section titles. Each item is a link and can be clicked to jump to that portion of the book. The bookmarks navigation panel can be toggled on or off by clicking the Bookmarks button at the left side of the Acrobat/Reader window. You may also use function key F4 to toggle the navigation panel on or off. The vertical bar separating the navigation panel from the main body of the manual can be dragged to resize the navigation panel.
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To follow a link within the text: Each link in the text is highlighted in blue, red, or green (in more recent products, all links are highlighted in blue only). Highlighted text links internally to all cross-references in the PDF file of the book and externally to Internet URLs, e-mail addresses, editable text files of forms/PJCs, separate PDF files of forms or cases included with the product, and search results via Casemaker online. Please note that you must be a registered user of TexasBarCLE's Web site and logged on to access Casemaker via the Texas and federal case and statutory citation links. If you are not already a registered user, once you click one of those links you will be prompted to complete a quick, free registration.
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To return to your previous view after following an internal link: While holding down your keyboard's Alt key, press the left arrow key.
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To search the text: Choose Search from the Edit menu (at the top of the Acrobat/Reader window) or click the Search This Manual bookmark.
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To copy text for use in other programs
Note: The editable text files in the digital products are hyperlinked from the main book PDF files. There is no need to copy the forms or charge language text from the PDF files. If, however, you need to copy text from a main book's PDF file for other purposes, follow the instructions below:
- Make certain that the Select tool is active instead of the Hand tool.
- Use the cursor to highlight the text you want to copy and choose Edit, Copy.
- The selected text has now been copied and can be pasted into your word processor or other compatible software by executing that software's Edit, Paste command.
How are the editable text files organized?
Note: For the forms manuals, reading the practice notes and reviewing the forms in the manual are essential to ensure proper preparation of the forms. Likewise, for the Texas Probate System, third revised edition, reading the special instructions and reviewing the corresponding documents in the system are essential to ensure proper preparation of the text files, and for the Texas Pattern Jury Charges series (PJCs), reading the PJC Comments and reviewing the charge/instruction language in the book are essential to ensure proper preparation of the jury charge.
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Forms manuals
- Shortcuts to the editable text files in the digital products for all forms manuals except the Texas Business Entities Forms Manual: Corporations are contained in the folder named "Forms" and are organized by chapter and form number and name. For instance, the shortcut to the Word file for form 1-1 in the Texas Collections Manual is found in the subfolder named "Chapter 1 Debt Collection Law Practice" and is named "Form 1-1 Client Information Sheet."
- Also inside the "Forms" folder are the Word files named "Forms Index by Chapter.doc" and "Forms Index by Title.doc," which list all forms by chapter and alphabetically by form title, respectively, and contain links to launch the forms text files.
- The editable text files themselves are contained in the folder named "Source_files" and are named with their form numbers. For instance, the Word file for form 1-1 is named "Form1-1.doc."
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Texas Business Entities Forms Manual: Corporations
- Editable text files in the digital product for the Texas Business Entities Forms Manual: Corporations are contained in the folder named "Forms," in subfolders named "WORD" (for forms in Word) and "WP" (for forms in WordPerfect).
- The forms text files are organized by chapter and form number, corresponding directly to the manual. For instance, all the Word forms from chapter 2 are found in the subfolder named "CH2" and have names such as "Form2-1.doc" (which corresponds to form 2-1).
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Texas Probate System
- Editable text files in the digital product for the Texas Probate System, third revised edition, are contained in the folder named "Forms," in subfolders named "Word" and "WordPerfect." Inside those folders, most editable text files are further subdivided into subfolders named "Forms," "Letters", "MIL," and "Worksheets." The exceptions are the files named "CHECKPLAN," "PROBATE CHART," and "SDL," which reside loose alongside those subfolders.
- The forms text files are organized by type and number, corresponding directly to the system. For instance, all letters from the system are found in the subfolder named "Letters" and have names such as "LETTER3.doc" (which corresponds to Letter 3).
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Texas Pattern Jury Charges series (civil)
- Editable text files in the digital product for the Texas Pattern Jury Charges series (civil) are contained in folders named "PJC files" (for charge language files in RTF).
- The name of each text file corresponds to the number of the printed PJC containing the charge language, except that the decimal point in the PJC number is replaced by a hyphen. For example, the RTF file named "105-3A" is the document name for PJC 105.3A in Texas Pattern Jury Charges—Business, Consumer, Insurance & Employment (2010 edition). If the main PJC is divided into parts identified by a letter following the number, each part constitutes a separate text file. For alternate and additional charge language contained in PJC Comments, the file name specifies the PJC number the language is related to along with a brief description of its purpose (e.g., "100-11 addition to 100-2").
- The PDF file named "Charge language files by chapter" contains a table of contents listing each file and the corresponding jury charge title.
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Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges series
- Editable text files in the digital product for the Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges series are contained in folders named "Instructions files" (for instruction files in RTF).
- The name of each text file corresponds to the section number of the printed book containing the jury instruction language, except that decimal points in the section numbers are replaced by hyphens. For example, the RTF file named "A3-1" is the document name for the instruction in section A3.1 in Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges—Intoxication and Controlled Substances.
- The PDF file named "Table of contents by chapter" contains a table of contents listing each file and the corresponding jury instruction title.
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Bracing for Impact
- Editable text files in the digital product for Bracing for Impact are included as attachments to the PDF file of the book and may be launched in your default word-processing software either from the PDF file's bookmarks or from the pages of the PDF file that reference those resource materials.
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Other books
- The editable text files in the digital product for other TexasBarBooks publications are contained in appropriately named folders (e.g., the folder that contains sample arbitration clauses as RTF files in the digital product for Arbitration Road Map is named "Clauses").
- The name of each text file corresponds to the title or contents of the file (e.g., the RTF file named "Clause A-1 AAA-recommended basic clause" in the digital product for Arbitration Road Map).
- For tips on locating the installed Texas Probate Forms Builder source files, see the Forms Builder Help files installed with that product.
Editable text files in WordPerfect have ".wpd" extensions; Word, ".doc" extensions; and RTF, ".rtf" extensions.
How do I access the editable text files from within my word-processing software?
To access the editable text files from your word-processing software, execute that software's File, Open command; locate and open the text file folder; if that digital product's text files are further subdivided, select and open the appropriate subfolder; and finally, select and open the desired file.
To open PDF forms in a PDF forms folder (if present with a given digital product), launch Adobe Acrobat/Reader, Foxit Reader, or similar software designed to view PDF files.
Note: The editable text files for Bracing for Impact exist only as attachments to the PDF file of the book and cannot be navigated to using a word processor's File, Open command. Instead, open the PDF file of the book and launch the text files either from the PDF file's bookmarks or from the pages of the PDF file that reference those text files.
How do I customize the editable text files for use in my office?
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Forms manuals
- Nearly all the forms text files are in single-spaced, left-justified, twelve-point Times Roman format. When statutorily required, the use of all-caps, bold-faced type, and larger font sizes is retained in the text files. Type that appears in small caps in the manual is in regular all-cap type in the text files. The use of small caps for the designation of p.m. or a.m. in the manual is retained in the text files.
- A few forms require the use of a table or column format (e.g., form 18-16 in the Texas Family Law Practice Manual, third edition).
- Headers and footers are not used except in forms where a special header or footer is used in the manual. For example, the header reading "Attorney/Client-Privileged Information" on the questionnaire forms in chapter 2 of the Texas Family Law Practice Manual, third edition, and the footer providing a space for initials on each page in the property agreement forms in chapter 63 of the same are included in the corresponding text files.
- Form titles and headings are generally formatted as they are in the manual, i.e., centered bold-faced type for the titles and flush-left italicized or bold-faced type for the headings.
- Text variables, such as "[name of seller]," and instructions that are imbedded within paragraphs, such as "[include if applicable: optional language]," which need to be replaced or deleted by the user, are bracketed and appear in bold-faced type. Text choices and optional language, such as "[is/are]," are bracketed and appear in normal roman type. Searching the documents for every instance of an open bracket will allow you to find all the places a text variable or choice exists. There are, however, instances in many text files where information must be added and where there is not a bracketed item to instruct you to do so. Generally these instances are indicated by a colon (e.g., "Property:"). Searching your documents for colons is recommended to find such occurrences.
- Some of the forms contain variable paragraphs that are separated by boxed instructional text in the manual and by comments or hidden text in the forms text files. Be aware that unless you are using the form from the manual as a guide as you prepare the electronic one, the comments or hidden text instructing you to make choices—for instance, to select only one of two or more paragraphs—will be the only indication that you must delete portions of text. (In instances where the necessity of choosing only some parts of the text is readily apparent, no instruction appears in either the printed or electronic version.)
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Texas Probate System
- The forms and letters are in single-spaced, left-justified, ten- or eleven-point Times Roman format. When statutorily required, the use of all-caps, bold-faced type, and larger font sizes is retained in the text files. The MIL, Worksheets, Checkplan, and SDL are in single-spaced, full-justified, ten- or eleven-point Times Roman format.
- Numerous text files require the use of a table or column format (e.g., the Checkplan).
- Form titles and headings are formatted as they are in the system.
- Detailed instructions in each form or letter appear as bold-faced italicized, stand-alone paragraphs. Most also begin with a paragraph mark and number. The number, when present, is that of the form or letter paragraph that the instructions are for. In all instances, the instructional paragraphs immediately precede the parts they apply to. For example, in Form 5 ("Application for Probate of Will (IA)"), the instructional paragraph "¶2- This paragraph is used in all applications" immediately precedes and applies to the form's paragraph 2. These bold-faced, italicized instructional paragraphs should not appear on the finished form or letter and must be manually deleted after the form- or letter-drafting process is complete.
- Instructions that apply to a form or letter generally rather than to a specific part of the form or letter appear as grayed-out boxed text at the end of the form or letter. As with the instructional paragraphs, these endnotes should not appear on the finished form or letter and must be manually deleted after the form- or letter-drafting process is complete.
- Please note that reformatting and cleanup will be required in the word-processing versions of the MIL, Worksheets, and SDL as these contain many blank lines that will move when text is added.
- For more details, see the section titled "How To Use This System" in the system itself.
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Texas Pattern Jury Charges series
- The text files replicate the charge/instruction language contained in the printed version, including italic designations, phrases, and bracketed instructions that are intended to be replaced or deleted; additional wording changes may be needed for particular situations. In every case, consult the Comment following the charge/instruction for guidelines on choosing the correct language for a particular jury charge/instruction.
- For general instructions about the hypothetical examples used in the Texas Pattern Jury Charges series (civil), see section 4. ("Principles of Style") of the Introduction to the book.
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For detailed guidelines on drafting a criminal jury charge, consult the Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges volume Introduction and "Quick Guide to Drafting a Jury Charge."
Texas Probate Forms Builder: For tips on customizing the Texas Probate Forms Builder source editable text files, see the Forms Builder Help files installed with that product.
How do I use the comments inserted in the editable text files?
Notes:
- Olderer TexasBarBooks digital products use comments instead of hidden text to include instructional text from the manual.
- Texas Probate Forms Builder does not include instructions in the source editable text files. Forms Builder instructions are an inherent part of its document assembly process.
Hidden text is a feature that allows the user to add text to the electronic version of a document with information that does not affect the pagination of a document and may be excluded from printing on the finished document. We use red-colored hidden text to enable you to view nonform language such as boxed instructional text from the manual on screen while you edit the forms. For tips on using hidden text inserted in the editable text files, see the FAQ below about using the new TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar.
The following items from the forms in the manual will appear as red-colored hidden text:
- the form or clause number, which corresponds to the one in the manual
- introductory notes to the form
- the form title if it would not be part of the finished form; e.g., the title of form 1 ("Letter Declining Representation") in the Texas Foreclosure Manual, second edition
- the bracketed statement alerting the user to insert a caption
- marginal notes (marginal notes are used in some longer forms to aid navigation through these forms and provide statutory references for the user)
- boxed instructional text, such as "Select one of the following"
- boxed warnings, alerts, and informational text
How do I use the new TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar?
Note: The TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar is included with the digital product for all forms manuals except the Texas Business Entities Forms Manual: Corporations.
Preparing forms in your office using the editable text files just got a lot easier. With the TexasBarBooks Navigational Toolbar, you now can—
- view or hide the instructions embedded in the word-processing forms;
- find and highlight the next variable, instruction, or optional text;
- browse, select, and copy clause text from forms that are collections of clauses;
- retain the embedded instructions for viewing while you work on your hard drive but prevent them from printing on your hard copies; and
- delete the embedded instructions entirely on forms you plan to e-mail or file electronically.
View the video tutorials at http://TexasBarBooks.net/tutorials/. (You may also navigate to the video tutorials by double-clicking the "Toolbar Tutorial" shortcut in the digital product's "Word" and "WP" folders.)
How do I install the Navigational Toolbar on more than one computer?
See the separate instructions for installing the Navigational Toolbar on network computers.
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TexasBarBooks Contact Information
What if these FAQs don't answer my question?
Feel free to call or e-mail us:
(512) 427-1499
(800) 204-2222, ext. 1499
books@texasbar.com