VernerLegal Blog

Texas Child Support Calculator for Droid Released

VernerLegal — 2010-02-23T13:24:25-06:00

The Texas Child Support Calculator for the Motorola Droid is now for sale at the Android Market.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Texas Child Support Calculator for Nexus One Released

VernerLegal — 2010-02-22T12:32:57-06:00

The Texas Child Support Calculator for the Nexus One is now for sale at the Android Market.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure for iPhone Released

VernerLegal — 2010-02-15T11:57:24-06:00

Today we uploaded the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure. These Rules were amended with changes to go into effect on January 1, 2010. The app includes all these changes. The app should appear in the iTunes store within a couple of days.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Florida Family Law Rules for iPhone Released

VernerLegal — 2010-02-12T17:55:02-06:00

Today we uploaded the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure to Apple for review. Lately, Apple has been approving our apps in one to two days, so the app should be out over the weekend.

This is a timely release: The Florida Supreme Court recently added a lengthy new Rule 12.742, entitled "Parenting Coordination."

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Texas Child Support Calculator for Droid and Nexus One

VernerLegal — 2010-02-10T10:48:29-06:00

We're releasing Texas Child Support Calculator 2010 for Droid and Nexus One later this week. Right now, we're tinkering with the format and testing for accuracy.

Both the Droid and the Nexus One use the Android operating system. Although many mobile devices use Android, device resolutions differ. One version of the app will be built specifically for the Droid and another for the Nexus One. Depending on device resolution, the app also might be usable on other mobile devices running Android. We'll post details with the release.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

iPhone Apps to Run on iPad

VernerLegal — 2010-01-31T12:21:53-06:00

Good news from Apple! Apple says "most" iPhone apps will run on iPad. In fact, they will automatically sync with iPad so you won't have to do anything to install the apps you've bought from us on your iPad.

We don't know for sure yet whether our apps are among the "most," but I see no reason why not. We'll keep you posted.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Nexus One Apps Coming Soon

VernerLegal — 2010-01-28T07:55:11-06:00

We're reviewing a build of the Texas Child Support Calculator 2010 for the Android OS. This build is designed to run on Google's Nexus One phone. We anticipate building our "reference" apps - rules of procedure and the like - for Nexus One as well.

The Droid also uses the Android OS. As soon as we release the Nexus One version of Texas Child Support Calculator 2010, we'll adapt the release for the Droid.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Indiana Rules of Evidence Amended

VernerLegal — 2010-01-19T14:30:09-06:00

Today we uploaded to Apple a revised version of the Indiana Rules of Evidence (Version IN Evid 2010.0). Apple has been approving our applications very quickly lately - I wouldn't be surprised to find the revised version online within a couple of days.

The amendment in the revised version is to Rule 201. The amendment added "records of a court of this state" to the list of kinds of laws of which judicial notice can be taken (Rule 201(b)).

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Child Support Calculator 2010 Now Available

VernerLegal — 2010-01-15T19:48:12-06:00

CS Calc 2010 is now available for purchase on the iTunes Store.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Child Support Calculator for Android OS

VernerLegal — 2010-01-15T18:42:00-06:00

We've had a number of inquiries lately about releasing a child support calculator for the Android OS. Motorola Droid and Google's Nexus One (plus some other phones) use Android.

Today I emailed with my software engineer about an Android version. He is enthusiastic. We should have an Android version of the child support calculator ready in two to three weeks. In the meantime, we'll see what we have to do to release it for Droid and Nexus One.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

CS Calc 2010 Released

VernerLegal — 2010-01-11T17:21:09-06:00

VernerLegal.com announces the release of CS Calc 2010. Version 2010 was uploaded to the Apple store today; app approval used to take up to two weeks but we've had some of our recent apps approved overnight.

CS Calc 2010 works the same way as the original CS Calc, released in July 2009 for use in 2009. Simply input five variables:

Whether self employed
Gross annual income
Number of children before court
Cost of health insurance for children
Number of other children supporting

Click Calculate, and CS Calc 2010 will return Texas guideline child support.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

The iPhone and the Kindle

VernerLegal — 2009-12-08T18:06:01-06:00

We've branched out in our publications. Now available from amazon.com is our Kindle version of the Federal Rules. This volume includes:

The Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
The Federal Rules of Evidence

Did you know that Kindle books can now be downloaded to the iPhone? According to amazon.com, it won't be long before they can be downloaded to a PC, too.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Pending Changes to Alabama Civil Procedure Rules

VernerLegal — 2009-11-22T11:26:40-06:00

We're submitting an app to Apple for the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. Changes in those rules will take place effective February 1, 2010. Our app does not include those changes because the app would be inaccurate if downloaded before February 1. If you want to wait, we'll have a 2010 version coming out in January.

The rules to be amended are Rules 16, 26, 33(c), 34 and 45. The new rule is Rule 37(g). You can read about them at Alabama Judicial System Online.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

First Post - VernerLegal Blog

VernerLegal — 2009-07-10T08:18:10-05:00

Welcome to the development blog for VernerLegal. VernerLegal develops software and applications for lawyers and the legal profession and for others who wish to use them.

We have submitted CS Calc - a child support calculator for Texas - to iTunes for approval and are about to submit Deadlines, a pretrial and posttrial deadlines calculator for Texas state courts. We intend to focus next on reference works for lawyers such as compilations of rules or codes.

Check back often as we are just getting started with applications. Also, we will be building applications for use in states other than Texas.

Jimmy Verner

jverner@vernerlegal.com

No Sinatra for New York Icon

VernerLegal — 2009-11-14T09:49:34-06:00

It's almost blasphemy. Apple rejected an image of Frank Sinatra as the icon for our New York family of court rules. If Frank Sinatra is not iconic of New York, then who (or what) is?

Frank Sinatra, a/k/a/ "Ol' Blue Eyes"

Here's Apple's reasoning:

[W]e cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store because it contains content that ridicules public figures and is in violation of Section 3.3.14 from the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement which states:

"Applications may be rejected if they contain content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.) that in Apple's reasonable judgement may be found objectionable, for example, materials that may be considered obscene, pornographic, or defamatory."

Could the problem be that our first New York app is the Uniform Rules for the Family Court? Could Apple have thought we picked "The Voice" because he was married four times and divorced three? Or maybe Apple didn't like it that we identified him as "Ol' Blue Eyes?" Either possibility seems like a stretch to us.

Anyhow, we settled for a bland photo of the Empire State Building as the icon for our New York apps.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Michigan Rules Bulletin

VernerLegal — 2009-11-13T10:42:02-06:00

In the course of working on Michigan's rules, I found some recent amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure: Rule 2.511 ("Impaneling the Jury") was amended effective September 1, 2009, while amendments to 2.112 ("Pleading Special Matters") will become effective January 1, 2010.

Amendments to Rule 611 of the Michigan Rules of Evidence ("Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation") took effect on September 1, 2009.

These amendments are included in our Michigan Rules of Civil Procedure and Michigan Rules of Evidence which are awaiting approval by Apple. Approval usually takes about two weeks.

There are also amendments to other Michigan rules for which we have not prepared iPhone apps, such as Chapter 3 ("Special Proceedings and Actions"). See Michigan Courts.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Arizona Rules Bulletin

VernerLegal — 2009-10-27T15:50:29-05:00

The Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure are up for review from Apple. There are no pending rule amendments, but while checking for amendments, we noticed that several changes to the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure will take effect January 1, 2010. So, here's a heads-up for those rules.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Alabama Studies Rules of Evidence

VernerLegal — 2009-10-11T19:11:13-05:00

The Alabama Rules of Evidence have remained unchanged since January 1, 1996. However, the Birmingham Bar Association announced that the Alabama Supreme Court has rectivated the Advisory Committee on the Alabama Rules of Evidence to review the rules. So changes are in the offing at some point.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Price Drop for Texas CS Calc

VernerLegal — 2009-10-07T20:45:43-05:00

The usefulness of information is limited by how long it will be until the information changes. Texas child support law draws on part of the federal tax code which changes annually even when Texas law does not. Our pricing policy is to cut the price of time-limited applications quarterly. We have cut the price of CS Calc 2009 accordingly.

Congress noremally tinkers with the tax code in November. Before the first of the year, the 2010 version of CS Calc will be available. We'll add a post to this blog to announce the new version.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Federal Rules Amendments

VernerLegal — 2009-10-02T10:05:23-05:00

A number of the federal rules of procedure will change, and a few new rules have been enacted, effective December 1, 2009. Those rules are:

• Appellate Rules 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 12.1, 15, 19, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28.1, 30, 31, 39, and 41;
• Bankruptcy Rules 1007, 1011, 1019, 1020, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2007.2, 2008, 2015, 2015.1, 2015.2, 2015.3, 2016, 3001, 3015, 3017, 3019, 3020, 4001, 4002, 4004, 4008, 6003, 6004, 6006, 6007, 7004, 7012, 7072, 7058, 8001, 8002, 8003, 8006, 8009, 8015, 8017, 9006, 9015, 9021, 9023, 9027, and 9033;
• Civil Rules 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 27, 32, 38, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 62, 62.1, 65, 68, 71.1, 72, 81; Supplemental Rules B, C, and G; and Illustrative Civil Forms 3, 4, and 60; and
• Criminal Rules 5.1, 7, 12.1, 12.3, 29, 32, 32.2, 33, 34, 35, 41, 45, 47, 58, 59, and Rules 8, 11 and 12 of the Rules Governing §§ 2254 and 2255 Cases.

The current release of VernerLegal's Federal Rules of Evidence is not affected by these amendments and remains current. VernerLegal's federal Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil and Criminal rules (under review by iTunes) include these updates.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Indiana Evidence Rules Amendments

VernerLegal — 2009-09-30T11:55:13-05:00

On September 15, 2009, the Indiana Supreme Court amended the Indiana Rules of Evidence. The amendments, and their effective dates, are:

Rule 201 (Judicial Notice) - January 1, 2010

Rule 617 (Unrecorded Statements During Custodian Interrogation) (new rule) - January 1, 2011

These amendments are not included in the current version of the Indiana Rules of Evidence (under review by iTunes) but will be incorporated as their effective dates near.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

New North Carolina Evidence Rule

VernerLegal — 2009-09-28T12:58:20-05:00

New Rule 616 of the North Carolina Rules of Evidence will take effect December 1, 2009. The rule is entitled "Alternative testimony of witnesses with developmental disabilities or mental retardation in civil cases and special proceedings." We have updated NC Rules of Evidence to include this new rule. Look for NC Rules of Evidence 2009.1 on iTunes.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Many Rules of Evidence

VernerLegal — 2009-09-26T13:25:14-05:00

We now have rules of evidence "reference" apps either published or awaiting approval for the following states: Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Washington. Check out the new "Rules" tab on the website.

Why these states? It's a formatting issue. These states' rules are much like the Federal Rules of Evidence, so they are easier create. We continue to work on additional states and on other rules such as civil and criminal procedure.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Update about Pending Apps

VernerLegal — 2009-08-31T23:22:37-05:00

Since our last post, nearly three weeks ago, much has transpired. Up for review by iTunes are the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Texas Rules of Evidence - and the Illinois version of the Child Support Calculator. Yes, Illinois calculates its child support somewhat like Texas does, so at the suggestion of Illinois attorney Saleem B. Mamdani we have build an Illinois child support calculator.

Also in the pipeline is a business valuation calculator (using the "excess earnings" method) for professional practices or service businesses.

We're also working on a somewhat whimsical app that tells the user his or her take-home pay once the gross pay (hours times wage) is entered. Low-wage workers need to know how much money they will take home. This app will sell for iTunes' minimum, $0.99.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Child Support Calculator Reviwed on iPhoneJD

VernerLegal — 2009-08-11T13:35:03-05:00

Attorney Jeff Richardson writes the blog iPhone J.D., subtitled "Lawyers using iPhones." Jeff wrote a nice review of the Texas Child Support Calculator today. He called it a "great app" and said "this looks like money well spent" if you practice family law in Texas.

Thanks for the kind words, Jeff.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Texas Rules of Evidence App

VernerLegal — 2009-08-09T11:37:00-05:00

With the help of another software engineer, we have finished our first "reference" iPhone application, the Texas Rules of Evidence. The app will be submitted later today to iTunes for approval. If the past is any guide, it should take about ten days for the app to appear on the iTunes store.

The Texas Rules of Evidence app allows the user to search for rules either by drilling down or by using a keyword or keyphrase search. Words and phrases are highlighted in search results when that feature is used.

The application uses sqlite as its database which makes for quick operation and minimal use of memory.

We'll send out an announcement when the app become available on the iTunes store. Now, back to additional apps.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

iTunes Approves Texas Litigation Deadlines App

VernerLegal — 2009-07-31T18:57:00-05:00

Today iTunes approved Texas Litigation Deadlines, our second iPhone app. This application enables an attorney to calculate pretrial deadlines after entering the date of trial; or posttrial deadlines by entering the date of signature of the judgment, order or decree. The app is now for sale on iTunes.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Nice Texas Lawyer Blog Story

VernerLegal — 2009-07-30T16:45:53-05:00

Texas Lawyer magazine's blog - called "Tex Parte Blog" - published a nice piece on the Texas Child Support Calculator today. It's called, Texas child support? There's an app for that.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Deadlines Uploaded to iTunes

VernerLegal — 2009-07-24T17:48:42-05:00

Noticed a few display aspects of Deadlines that I thought could be improved, so I didn't upload to iTunes until today. But now approval is in the pipeline. Time to turn my attention to reference works.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

Deadlines Finished

VernerLegal — 2009-07-22T10:22:06-05:00

I thought we had Deadlines about done, but I kept finding Saturday, Sunday and legal holiday bugs. It took a while to get through them all to make sure that Deadlines is correct. But now it is, so today I'll upload it to iTunes for approval.

It took eleven days for Apple to approve CS Calc. Hopefully it won't take that long for Deadlines.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com

CS Calc on iTunes

VernerLegal — 2009-07-22T10:18:15-05:00

Yesterday I received word that CS Calc has been approved by Apple and is now on iTunes. You can click to the app by clicking here.

You might have read of all the iTunes apps being submitted to Apple. FYI, it took eleven days for approval.

Jimmy Verner
jverner@vernerlegal.com