This FAQ is for the situation where you are getting a new computer (PC or Macintosh) and want to install the software on it and move all of your files over.
It is also helpful if your computer has crashed, and you are moving to a new computer for that reason. (In that case, skip the parts that do not apply.)
Here are the steps to follow.
1. Back up existing client files.
The first step is to back up all of your client files.
If the files are already backed up on a network or in DropBox (or similar online storage), you can skip this step.
If the files are on your local hard drive only, find the folder where they are stored. To do this, look at the Files & Settings tab. You will see the location near the top of the screen, as shown below:
In the image above, the current folder is “Family Law Software” within a Dropbox folder.
Close Family Law Software, and use Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder that was shown. All of the Family Law Software data files have the extension “.fls,” as shown below. (Your display may look different, depending on the display options in Windows Explorer.)
Copy those files to a place you will be able to access from your new computer. (If you have questions how to do that, search in your browser for “how to move files from one computer to another.”)
If the files are already external to your computer — such as on a Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or network drive — you can skip this step.
2. Additional Instructions for Macintosh.
If you can find your files using Finder, then follow the steps above.
If you can not find your files using Finder…
Click here for an FAQ on creating a folder you can locate using Finder
Once you create that folder, it may be necessary to open the existing files one at a time and then save them into that folder using “Files tab > Save As…”
You can click Files & Settings tab > Restore, and restore the most recent version of each file. They will go into your new default folder. You can change the name on each one to delete “_Restored” before they are saved.
Once all the files are all in a place you an access using Finder, close Family Law Software, and use Finder to drag the files to a place you will be able to access from your new computer.
3. Write Down Your KeyCode.
You can find your key code on the old computer on Files & Settings > Open/Save, as shown below.
Write it down. (If you can not do this, it is OK. Keep going.)
3. Install the software on the new computer.
To install the software on the new hard drive, click here:
Click here to download the latest version
After you download the software, run the downloaded file (click on it) to complete the installation.
4. On your new computer, start Family Law Software and set the default folder.
Double-click the Family Law Software icon on your desktop (illustrated below).
When Family Law Software starts for the first time, you will be asked for the default folder.
If you are using the software on a network, specify the default folder to be the folder on the network you are currently using.
If you are using Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or a similar cloud-based folder, specify that.
If you are not using a network folder, perhaps you would want to take this opportunity to do that.
If you are running the software on Macintosh, we recommend that you set a folder you can find in Finder, Dropbox, Google Drive or similar cloud-based folder.
Click here for an FAQ on creating a folder you can locate using Finder
Or, accept the default option, which is the Documents > Family Law Software folder on the local hard drive.
(You may change the default folder at any time, by clicking “Change” where the folder is shown on the Files & Settings screen, as shown below:
The first time you start Family Law Software, you will be asked for your email address.
You may also be asked to set an online password, which is used for client data entry, sending files to tech support, and other online-integrated features.
The software will attempt to download your KeyCode.
If that does not work, please search your email from Family Law Software for the word “KeyCode.”
If that does not work, you may e-mail us at support@familylawsoftware.com to request your KeyCode.
5. Move your existing files over.
If you have a network, or you are using Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or a similar cloud-based folder, and the files are still there, there is nothing to do in this step.
Otherwise, if you backed up the files, drag them into your new folder on your new computer, using Windows “My Computer” for Windows or Finder for Macintosh. The files you want are those that end with “.fls”.
If you are storing client files in client folders, drag the client folders over to your new default folder.
6. That’s it.
You should be all set on your new computer.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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