How much time does document automation save per case?

Based on our testing, automation reduces preparation from 4 to 6 hours to 20 to 30 minutes. Actual savings depend on case complexity and your current workflow efficiency.

Does document automation work with existing practice management software?

Paxora exports court-ready PDFs that integrate with your existing practice management workflow.

What about complex cases with children or significant assets?

Automation handles data extraction and form population. Complex legal strategy remains with the attorney. Time saved on forms allows more focus on client advocacy.

How do I calculate ROI for my specific practice?

Use this formula: (Hours saved per case) x (Your hourly cost) x (Monthly cases) x 12. Track your current prep time for a few cases to get accurate inputs.

What's the ROI of Document Automation for Family Law Firms?

Document automation ROI depends on your specific numbers. Here's the formula and an example calculation you can adapt.

The baseline: how long does manual prep actually take?

We timed manual preparation of California divorce forms. The FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration alone takes 2 to 3 hours when entering data by hand. Add FL-100, FL-110, and supporting schedules, and a complete filing package takes 4 to 6 hours of paralegal or staff time. This matches what we hear from family law practices.

What automation changes

Paxora extracts data from uploaded documents (tax returns, W-2s, bank statements) and populates form fields automatically. The same taxpayer name, address, and income figures flow to every form that needs them. Staff time shifts from data entry to reviewing pre-filled forms. In our testing, this reduces preparation to 20 to 30 minutes per case.

The ROI formula

Annual savings = (Hours saved per case) x (Hourly cost) x (Cases per month) x 12. Hours saved per case: Typically 4 to 5.5 hours (manual time minus review time). Hourly cost: Your paralegal or staff rate. Cases per month: Your divorce case volume. This formula gives you a baseline. It does not account for error reduction, faster turnaround, or capacity increases.

Example calculation

Assumptions: 5 hours saved per case, $35/hour paralegal cost, 20 cases per month. Calculation: 5 hours x $35 x 20 cases x 12 months = $42,000 per year. Your numbers will differ. A solo practitioner handling 5 cases monthly at $50/hour sees different ROI than a firm handling 40 cases at $30/hour. Run your own numbers.

What this formula does not capture

Error reduction: Fewer rejected filings, less rework. Faster turnaround: Cases move through your pipeline quicker. Capacity: Same staff, more cases. Client satisfaction: Less back and forth asking for the same information repeatedly. These benefits are real but harder to quantify. The direct time savings alone often justify the investment.

How to evaluate for your practice

Track your current preparation time for 5 cases. Note the hourly cost of whoever does that work. Calculate your monthly case volume. Use the formula above. Compare against automation costs. Most firms find the math favorable if they handle 10 or more divorce cases per month.