This guide will walk you through the process of effectively managing child event dates within ProLaw. By understanding how child events interact with parent events, you can ensure accurate and seamless docket calculations, even when adjustments are required.
When you enter a Parent Event (e.g., a Motion or Hearing), ProLaw calculates associated Child Events with dates based on the Parent Event. However, manual changes to child event dates can affect the automated calculations. This guide will help you avoid common pitfalls and manage date adjustments effectively.
Step 1: Enter the Parent Event
Create a Parent Event in ProLaw, such as a motion or a trial date.
ProLaw will automatically calculate the child events and assign dates based on the Parent Event.
Tip: Double-check that all child events are automatically populated with the correct dates.
Step 2: Adjust Child Event Dates, If Necessary
If a child event date falls on a weekend or holiday, ProLaw automatically adjusts the date backward to the closest business day.
If you wish to manually update a child date:
Select the child event you want to adjust.
Enter a new date.
Important Note: Once you manually update a child event date, ProLaw assumes you no longer want its date linked to the Parent Event. Any future updates to the Parent Event will not adjust this manually updated child date automatically.
Step 3: Adjust Parent Event Dates
If you need to change the Parent Event date (such as a trial date rescheduled by the court):
Update the Parent Event date.
ProLaw will automatically recalculate all child event dates, except those adjusted manually.
Reminder: Manually modified child dates will not update with the Parent Event changes and must be adjusted separately, if necessary. Ensure you track such adjustments to avoid discrepancies.
Step 4: Avoid Breaking Parent-Child Event Calculations
To prevent unintentional breaks in the connection between Parent and Child Events:
Leverage ProLaw's default setting, which adjusts child event dates falling on weekends or holidays to the nearest prior business day.
This reduces the need for manual changes while maintaining the integrity of docket calculations.
On a Case-by-Case Basis: If necessary, you can request a reversal of this automated adjustment for specific situations. Speak with your administrator or the ProLaw support team to enable this feature.
Review Notifications: Regularly review notices and reminders in ProLaw to ensure all event dates are accurate and compliant with case-specific timelines.
Document Adjustments: Keep track of manually updated child event dates for reference, especially if related deadlines change.
Use Automation Wisely: Rely on ProLaw’s built-in settings for date management unless a unique case requires manual adjustments.
By following these steps and best practices, you can efficiently manage parent and child event dates while maintaining consistency and accuracy in your docketing process.
If you have any questions or run into any issues, please reach out to the Sophus Support Team by clicking the Contact Us button. Thank you.