NextChapter’s 2021 Fall Release is finally here! We are constantly optimizing and growing our legal software and have lots of new features to share. From the expansion to all practice areas to integration enhancements to forms automation, there are tons of updates you’ll love and will keep making your practice better. Here’s what you need to know this Fall.

 

 

NextChapter for All Practice Areas

Our app got a big boost with improvements and new features. Most importantly, all of NextChapter’s features can be used for any area of the law, not just bankruptcy! Now you can manage your entire practice using NextChapter. Here's how it works in a few simple steps:

1. In your account settings, select the areas of law you practice from a list of common areas. Don't see your practice area? Add in a custom one.

   

2. Create document checklists, tasks, fees, events, and more for each area you practice. This allows you to set up workflows to fit your firm's needs. Add in monthly goals, set your targets, and track your progress within the app just like you do for bankruptcy.

3. Build custom fields in your account settings using pre-defined SALI (Standards Advancement for the Legal Industry) fields or by creating your own custom ones. Custom fields are now, even more, advanced with field types. Select the from custom text, dropdown, checkbox, date, and more types to create your own complex logic. Nestle fields within fields for even more capabilities. All fields created now become immediately available as merge tags in NextChapter Docs, and date fields now become immediately available as variables in NextMessage Recipes.

   

4. From the home page, start a new case and select the proper practice area. You can begin filling out the custom fields you created, upload documents to our secure document storage, track time spent in each case, create new events, and more.

   

5. Use our unique add-on tools like NextChapter Docs, Client Texting, Payments, and more, now also available for all practice areas, to manage cases easier than ever before.

 

This is just a glimpse of everything you can do with our newest update! Find out more about our add-on tools and how to use them in conjunction with NextChapter App below.

 

 

NextChapter Docs for All Practice Areas

Did you know that legal professionals spend approximately 11.2 hours per week dealing with challenges related to document creation and management? Bankruptcy attorneys love using our document automation tool to streamline workflows and waste less time, and now you can use NextChapter Docs to create templates for any practice area, beyond bankruptcy.

 

Start by creating or uploading templates in your account settings. Then drag and drop tags based on the custom fields you created, which will later autofill with specific case info where applicable. From there, you can duplicate documents with ease. The best part? Everything is organized by area of law so you can better segment and organize your practice.

 

Want to unlock NextChapter Docs for All Practice Areas? Schedule a call with our sales team to find out which option is best for you.

 

 

If you're currently on a NextChapter Bankruptcy Annual Plan or purchased NextChapter Docs as an add-on, you will experience no disruptions to your service.

 

 

Even More Client Tools

 

NextChapter Payments

Collect payments and invoice your clients quicker and easier than ever before with NextChapter Payments, now available for all practice areas. Create invoices and add fees line-by-line, and download them for your records or send them to your clients via email. Your clients can then conveniently pay using a debit card or ACH. You or your clients have the option to set up payment plans or schedule one-time payments, adding flexibility and increasing transparency. All of this is available to view in our handy Payment Dashboard, which gives you an overview of all scheduled and paid fees.

 

NextChapter Payments helps you reduce friction in your billing processes and increase client satisfaction. Find out about getting started and our simple, per-transaction pricing today.

 

 

 

Upgraded Add-Ons: Client Texting & Portal

By upgrading to the NextChapter Docs Whoa plan, you'll get access to both Client Texting and the Client Portal for all practice areas, which can help you run your practice smoothly.

 

Improve the way you and your clients stay in touch with Client Texting from NextChapter! Send out automated reminders about upcoming appointments, due dates, and more. With this release, you can create NextMessage Recipes using custom fields, and use these recipes, again and again, to save time on client communication.

 

We’re working on making our Client Portal available for all practice areas, which will allow you to invite clients to fill out the custom fields you create in your account settings. This helps you streamline the client intake process and give clients plenty of flexibility when uploading their info. The best part is, you can seamlessly import the data into the client's case in NextChapter, saving you the time and hassle of manual data entry. Be on the lookout for Client Portal for all practice areas, coming soon.

 

 

 

Pricing

Ready to get started with these time-saving new features and take your practice to the next level? With custom plans for both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy users, you can find a plan to fit your firm's unique needs.

 

Give us a call at 888-861-7122 ex 2 to get started or schedule a time to chat with a member of our team to learn more.

 

 

Mailing Integration - Coming Soon

Another update in the works is our mailing integration with Key Dynamics. This partnership will allow your firm to mail creditor notices in a couple of quick steps, helping you speed up workflows even more. All you’ll have to do is:

1. Initiate a new mailing request
2. Upload your documents
3. Select a mailing list from NextChapter or a court’s creditor matrix
4. Add or delete creditors
5. Select your mailing preferences
6. Send!

When all is said and done, you’ll get a Certificate of Service to your email, and a copy will be saved in Client Document Storage.

 

Want to sign up as a beta tester for the mailing integration? Email us to learn more at features@nextchapterbk.com!

 

 

Forms and Plans - Bankruptcy

We've added even more bankruptcy local forms and plans to our software. View a full list of all autocompleting local forms and plans in NextChapter here.

• Chapter 13 Plans: Wisconsin Western, Alaska, Washington D.C. (Revised September 2021), North Carolina Western (Revised September 2021)
• Post Petition Filing Options:
  • Florida Southern
• By District: Local Forms
  • Louisiana Western Chapter 13 Attorney Fee Disclosure

 

 

Release Webinar

This is our most exciting Fall Release yet! We can’t wait to show you all our new enhancements in NextChapter and how they’ll help you become a more efficient attorney. Dive even deeper into these excellent new features at our Fall Release Webinar on Tuesday, November 9, at 2 PM ET. Save your spot now!