at the bottom of the screen, or
You must be using Windows 2000 SP4/XP to run Divorce Planner. Because it is a large data base application, it will operate best on a PC with a 900 Mhz or faster processor. It will run on slower PCs, but you may not be satisfied with the performance. It is best to run Divorce Planner without any other Microsoft Access software running at the same time – performance is slowed when other Microsoft Access applications are running at the same time as Divorce Planner.
The software screen should be set to 1024 x 768 (recommended). Software will work with a screen resolution of 800 x 600, but with some limitations. If you are not able to view the entire screen in certain menus, change the screen size by using your regular Windows commands.
Multiple Years (multiple versions)
The installation of the 2008 software will not impact prior year installations. The 2008 version is installed in a different directory (folder) from prior years. If you have more than one Regional version (i.e., CT Regional & NY Regional, et al.), they are automatically installed in different directories.
Single Computer
This type of installation will place both software files and data file (where case information is stored) on a single computer hard drive. The data file may only be accessed from this computer.
Step 1: Insert the FinPlan Divorce Planner CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive of your computer.
Step 2: The software should automatically run. If it doesn't, then double click on My Computer and then the CD-ROM drive.
Step 3: Double click on the Setup.exe icon and follow the instructions as prompted by the installation software. For a single computer installation the default suggestions are recommended.
If you are reinstalling after the initial installation, you may just reinstall from the CD. There is no need to do an uninstall first. If you uninstall, your original data file will not be deleted.. The original data file will not be deleted If you install on top of the original installation. (To permanently delete the data file (dpdat08.mdb), use Windows Explorer.)
Call Thomson/West if you have questions on this.
Network System
This type of installation will place the software files on the local hard drive and the data file on a network server. This will allow multiple users to share data and facilitates backing up the data file.
Each user will need to have the software installed on their local hard drive in a network installation.
Note: Do not install the software on the network server since Divorce Planner does not allow multiple users at the same time from a single version installed on a network.
Step 1: Insert the FinPlan Divorce Planner CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive of your computer.
Step 2: The software should automatically run. If it doesn't, then double click on My Computer and then the CD-ROM drive.
Step 3: Double click on the Setup.exe icon and follow the instructions as prompted by the installation software.
Step 4: When prompted, locate the directory from which you wish to store your data file. You will need to provide a name for the directory where the data file will be stored (select Browse).
Tip! It is a good practice to have the year in that directory name (e.g. F:\DivPlan08 where F is the name of the network server and DivPlan08 is the directory (folder) where the data for the 2008 version will reside.
The same name of the directory (folder) where the data will reside must be used in installations on other computers and in Step 5 of the installation.
Step 5: The software will automatically locate the 2008 data file which has been installed. If you later change the location of the data file, you will need to let the software know where it is located. You will need to link (attach) the software with the data file.
Attaching a database. Click on the Divorce Planner icon on your desktop to launch the software. You will get a message "Cannot locate the data file." Click OK and then click on the Attach External Data button on the General Menu. A "Look In" dialogue box will appear. Browse to the network file server drive and then browse to the directory (folder) where the data file was placed (see step 4 above). Highlight the Dpdata08.mdb file and open it (highlight and double click). You will also be asked if you wish to make this location permanent.
Your software and data files are now attached. You will not have to do this again.
If you are reinstalling after the initial installation, you may just reinstall from the CD. You do not need to uninstall first. If you uninstall, your original data file will not be deleted. If you install on top of the original installation (just use CD), the original data file will not be deleted. (To permanently delete the data file (dpdat08.mdb), use Windows Explorer.)
Call Thomson/West if you have questions on this.
For Windows XP Pro operating systems, FinPlan software must be installed while you are logged onto your computer as “your user” name with administrative rights. The system administrator should not install the software while logged on as system administrator unless the administrator is the same as the computer user.
If installing on a network using XP Pro or Vista, it is important to assign the “computer user” full administrative rights prior to installing the software. This is to allow you to “write” the shared data file onto the shared network drive. Rights may subsequently be changed back to “limited user” upon completion of the installation.
If you encounter installation problems, it is recommended that you install the software as a single user (data file will be copied to local hard drive), and after the initial install is complete, copy the data file out to the shared network drive in Windows Explorer. Then execute Divorce Planner and "attach" to the network data file from the General Menu Tab in the software.
For Windows Vista operating systems, FinPlan software must be installed with administrative rights. You will not be able to install 2006 or prior releases on Vista. Vista does not support MS Access Runtime 1997. If you need to work in a prior version of Divorce Planner or any other FinPlan title, you will need to have a computer with an OS earlier than Vista.
You can still get to your dpdata file and transfer those cases. Locate your dpdata06.mdb (or earlier) file in the prior OS system (or if you have it backed up on a server or other storage media, you may also transfer from there). Go to Case Transfer from your Start menu (Desktop, Start menu, Programs, West, FinPlan, DivPlan, IL08, Transfer Cases Between Version). Select the menu item and follow the prompts. Click on the ellipsis button and browse in the "Transfer From" field to find where you have stored your dpdata06.mdb file. Click Open. Follow the remaining steps in using the Case Transfer tool. Your cases should now be transferred allowing you to edit or modify the case in the Vista operating system.
Once you have installed Divorce Planner, the software will reside in a directory (folder) called C:\Program Files\West\FinPlan\DivPlan\IL08 (name of state and release year 08) and a program group will be created called DivPlan. The install software will set up an icon on your Desktop to access Divorce Planner. It is a dollar sign with IL07 (state name). You may also access Divorce Planner by selecting the Desktop Start menu, Programs, West, FinPlan, DivPlan, IL08 (state name and release year (IL08)).
Note: Remember that the Divorce Math software can only be accessed from the Desktop or in the start programs menu.
When running the software, you may access the Help Menu at any time by pressing the F1 key. You may also select Help from the toolbar menu at the top left of Divorce Planner.
Context sensitive help is available for all input items. Simply place the cursor in a field and press the F1 key. The applicable topic will then appear.
For HELP when viewing output reports, use the HELP Index and then select the topic you need to know about from the index or type in the key word and search for the content. This is the best way to get tax assistance on particular calculations.
In the HELP Menu, there are several hypertext links to other topics or references to other related research materials on WestlawTM. Click on the link to research further. Use the Back key to return to the section you were in previously. Or toggle back to the Help window if you are linked to the internet. Use the -> Next to read the next page and the <- Previous key to read the prior page. Use the print icon to print the current page you are looking at.
You will find the Help feature to be invaluable when the client asks tax related questions on divorce. You may immediately find the answer by clicking on the Index (top of Help menu) looking up the topic and printing it. There are over 300 tax and support related topics in the Help manual. In addition, you may access Mertens Law of Federal Income Taxation and Primary Law through Westlaw. Westlaw transactions are available through the use of a credit card on the sign on screen or through the use of your password if you are a current Westlaw subscriber.
Note: It is recommended that you spend a reasonable amount of time reviewing the Help Index and looking at the Help descriptions. This is a very powerful tool for client communications and solutions to divorce tax questions. Effective use of the Help will significantly enhance your ability to communicate with clients on tax and financial matters.
It is recommended that you have a printed version of the full manual. You may print the manual included with your software package as a PDF document from the Start Menu, Programs, West, FinPlan, DivPlan, IL08 and Divorce Planner User Guide. In addition, blank Input Worksheets, state income tax formulas and write-ups on child support are available from the DivPlan menu.
The Windows version of Divorce Planner is a data base application based on Microsoft Access Runtime 2002 (a Microsoft database software that is widely used). We have made Divorce Planner look like a spreadsheet in the input screens, but it is not a spreadsheet. You do not need to own Microsoft Access 2002 to use Divorce Planner because the Access software is distributed to you as part of the Divorce Planner license.
In a data base, all of your case data is in the same database file (dpdata08.mdb). Unlike a spreadsheet, each case is not a new file and how you manage your data is critical.
Important. You should back up the data base files (dpdata08.mdb) frequently. Do this as frequently as desired. It is important to store the backup in a different computer or separate storage media in case your computer becomes inoperable.
If the file in which all your data is stored becomes corrupted or if your computer breaks down, there is no way to recover your data unless it is backed up. If you back up the data file (file is called Dpdata08.mdb), and your computer becomes inoperable, all you do is reinstall the software and then copy the backed up copy of Dpdata08.mdb into the new Divorce Planner installation and you will be back in business without any problems.
You are allowed to use Divorce Planner on 3 personal computers for the Single User license fee. Many customers wish to take a case home and work on it and then bring it back to the office. In this version, you may export and import single (or multiple) cases from the data base to a floppy disk or other media to facilitate working at home.
For a description of the technical specification for this software and how to use the Export/Import Utility, consult the Technical Considerations and Problem Solving section of the manual.
You enter income and tax data. When you choose recalculate on the software screens, the general reports are updated for the facts of the case. You use the submenus to look at output reports, and to create support and tax summaries. These summaries are not changed when you calculate the software, but instead are only changed when you update them with the submenus. Thus, you change input and create an alternative support case and decide if you want to post it. This is a simple way to evaluate different tax and cash flow strategies.
A menu in Divorce Planner is a group of tabs which will allow the software to perform predetermined steps. There are six menu tabs and several submenus in this software. The six main menu tabs are:
|
CASE FACTS |
VIEW SUPPORT REPORTS |
|
SUPPORT ANALYSIS |
VIEW TAX REPORTS |
|
TAX ANALYSIS |
GENERAL |
There are three methods to return to a menu screen or close the current window:
1) Select the X in the upper right-hand corner of the screen,
2) Select the book icon at the bottom of the screen, or
3) Use the new toolbar.
The menus are described in Chapter 4 of the manual. See Menus.