A well-designed HotDocs template walks even a novice user through the assembly process while nearly eliminating the possibility of operator error. The old cut-and-paste/search-and-replace ("CP/SR") document generation method employed by many (most) lawyers is slow and has a high margin for error. The margin for error arises from fact that CP/SR is unstructured, relies on the user's memory, assumes Word or WordPerfect will "catch" all of the items in need of replacement and requires many steps. Memories fail, word processors don't catch everything and more steps create more mistakes and slower drafting.

HotDocs systems are much more accurate than CP/SR because they only require the user to enter case-specific facts and the items that change (party names, etc.). The template does the work of including the appropriate paragraphs, excluding the irrelevant ones, verb conjugation, punctuating lists, calculating numbers and dates, correcting personal pronouns and replacing the items in need of replacement. For many people witnessing this method of document generation for the first time, it is nothing short of an epiphany.

Documents generated from HotDocs templates are more accurate though much less time is spent generating them; and training time for new employees is reduced since they must only be shown how to answer the questions. The time savings realized with HotDocs are enormous and this often requires a move to flat fee or "value billing" instead of hourly billing. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that users should charge less for services rendered. It simply means that any uncertainty regarding the time necessary to generate the documents has been removed. Therefore, there is no risk in quoting a flat fee (at least for the document generation aspect of the service). The net effect is that fewer resources are consumed to produce better documents and clients are happier because they didn't have to worry about an unexpectedly high hourly fee. What's not to like?

In a HotDocs template, variables replace changeable text. HotDocs allows users to create text, number, date, multiple choice, true/false, computation and personal information variables. Computation variables can perform mathematical calculations (quantity * unit price = total price), date calculations (statute of limitations, etc.) and text computations (singular/plural, personal pronouns like he/she/they, etc.). By using HotDocs "Repeats," users can also include lists in documents which can be automatically punctuated (a, b and c), filtered, sorted, counted and inserted as standard text or in a table. True/false variables are typically used for including or excluding certain text or paragraphs in the final document.

HotDocs comes in two flavors, standard and pro. The standard version of HotDocs allows users to create interactive word-processor templates from which custom documents (anything from a simple letter to a 150 page masterpiece contract) can be instantly produced. HotDocs Pro performs the same functions as the standard version, but also enables you to automate pre-printed, graphical forms (such as tax forms, probate forms, etc.). Furthermore, HotDocs Pro offers many extra template-design tools which we believe are essential for creating really good templates. It should also be noted that although the standard version of HotDocs cannot be used to create templates from pre-printed forms (this can only be done in HotDocs Pro), it can be used to assemble (complete) them.

The more document-intensive an area of practice, the more a practitioner in that area can benefit from HotDocs. HotDocs is particularly popular with attorneys involved in estate planning, banking, domestic, real estate, probate, litigation, corporate, employee benefits and contracts (among others). The time savings are so significant that profit margins increase even if fee structures are lowered. In practice areas which tend toward "negotiated documents," HotDocs is still the fastest way of generating the first draft. In contingent-fee practices, HotDocs allows users to minimize document drafting overhead costs. Finally, since pre-printed forms can also be automated, HotDocs also represents the opportunity to finally get rid of that old typewriter you've been hanging onto for the last 15 years.