E-Filing Process FAQs

1. Bookmarking:

- A bookmark is a type of link with representative text in the Bookmark panel in the navigation pane. Each bookmark goes to a different

  view or page in the document. Bookmarks are generated automatically during PDF creation from the Table of Contents entries of          

  documents created by most desktop publishing programs. These bookmarks are often tagged and can be used to make edits in the PDF.

- Initially, a bookmark displays the page that was in view when the bookmark was created, which is the bookmark’s destination. In Acrobat,   you can set bookmark destinations as you create each bookmark. However, it is sometimes easier to create a group of bookmarks, and       then set the destinations later.

- In Acrobat, you can use bookmarks to mark a place in the PDF to which you want to return, or to jump to a destination in the PDF,               another document, or a web page. Bookmarks can also perform actions, such as executing a menu item or submitting a form.

 

Create a Bookmark

     (1) Click the Bookmarks button on the left to open the Bookmarks panel.

     (2) Open the page you want the bookmark to link to, and adjust the view settings.

     (3) Use the Select tool to select the area of the page you want to bookmark:

          - To bookmark a single image, click in the image or drag a rectangle around the image.

          - To bookmark a portion of an image, drag a rectangle around the portion.

          - To bookmark text, drag to select it. The selected text becomes the label of the new bookmark. You can edit the label.

     (4) Select the bookmark under which you want to place the new bookmark. If you don’t select a bookmark, the new bookmark is                         automatically added at the end of the list.

     (5) Choose Tools > Edit PDF > More > Add Bookmark.

     (6) In the Bookmarks panel, type or edit the name of the new bookmark.

 

Rename a Bookmark

     (1) Select the bookmark in the Bookmarks panel.

     (2) Choose Rename Bookmark in the options menu.

     (3) Type the new bookmark name.

 

Delete a Bookmark

     (1) In the Bookmarks panel, select a bookmark or range of bookmarks.

     (2) Then press Delete.

*Note: Deleting a bookmark deletes any bookmarks that are subordinate to it. Deleting a bookmark does not delete any document text.

 

2. Converting Documents into Text Searchable PDFs in a Filing:

One of the features in the e-filing application is the ability to have the system convert documents into Text Searchable PDFs within a filing. The user may elect to (1) have the system automatically convert the documents upon upload, (2) have the system ask to convert them, or (3) have the system never ask to convert them. By default, the system asks whether or not to convert the document, but the user has the option to set the user preferences to auto convert them or not. 

 

We are pleased to offer the capability to recognize that your documents are not text searchable, and convert then to text-searchable PDFs. However, we highly recommend as a BEST PRACTICE that you convert your documents to text-searchable PDFs prior to uploading them for e-filing. Here are some tips on how to make your documents text-searchable:

 

1. DO NOT print, sign, then scan. Rather, you can electronically sign your documents by placing a /s/ followed by your name on the signature line (e.g. /s/ Marcus Brown), then converting your document to PDF electronically. This will result in a text-searchable document. Learn more... 

 

2. DO NOT print your word processing documents then scan them to PDF, rather simply convert them from Word or WordPerfect directly to a PDF document electronically. This will result in text-searchable documents.

 

*Note: Before using the e-filing application to convert documents to Text Searchable PDFs, please read our disclaimer regarding conversion. 

 

3.  Court Reporter Fees:

- The Court Reporter Fee of $30 is not automatically added when e-filing; therefore, when filing a document that requires a court reporter    fee, you will need to add it to your filing.

- Add the Court Reporter Fee in the drop down menu under "Optional Services" in step #4 "Security & Optional Services"

*Note: If you fail to add the fee, the court clerk will reject your filing until it is added.

 

4. File Size Limits & Scan Resolution:

File Size Limit

- Most courts impose a 35 MB file size limit on any single document submitted to the Court. Anything exceeding this limit will be rejected.

- When possible, scan your documents in black & white to produce smaller file sizes.

 

Scan Resolution

 - If you are scanning and attaching a document, most courts recommend scanning your documents at a 300 DPI resolution.

 

*Note: e-Filing requirements vary from state to state. Review any state and local court rules before filing your documents.

 

5. File Stamped Documents:

- File stamped copies take the place of conformed copies which are received when filing in paper. After you have uploaded your                

  documents, and submitted your filing, the court will review and either accept or reject your documents. Clerk review of your filing will vary   by court, but once accepted, you will receive an Accepted email (depending on your set email preferences) about your stamped,          

  conformed copy.

- The email you receive will depend on your User Preference settings. 

     (1) Select the "Settings" tab ⇒ Select "User Preferences" on the left.

     (2) Check the desired boxes under "Email Notifications"

     (3) Click “Save all Preferences”

 

6. Filing History:

- After e-filing documents through Legal e-File, you may view your filing history and access filed documents at any time within our system.

          Select the "E-Filing" tab ⇒ Select "Filing Status" on the left to see a list of all of the filings you have submitted to the Court. 

- You may filter the filings by filing status by clicking "Filter Filings" in the upper right hand corner. 

 - To open one of your filings, click on the Filing Id.

     (1) View the version of a document you submitted to the Court in the "Add Documents" section.

     (2) View the Stamped version of a filing accepted by the Court in the "Filing Messages & Documents" section.

 

7. E-Filing Hours:

- You may submit your filings electronically with Legal e-File 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

- Filings received before midnight are normally deemed received or filed the same business day.

- Filings received after midnight are normally deemed received or filed on the next business day.

- The time each court takes to review filings varies, but courts will review filings during normal business hours.

 

8. Processing Fees:

Legal e-File does not authorize or charge your payment account for fees assessed by the Court (including court imposed Court filing,

court convenience fees, and the EFM service fee). Those fees are authorized and charged by the Court’s e-filing software credit card processing service, Tyler Online Gateway (TOGA). If you have any questions, concerns, or disputes regarding filing fee authorizations on your credit or debit card, it is best to contact the TOGA vendor directly. Here is their contact information:

 

          Tyler Technologies (vendor managing TOGA)
          Phone: 855-839-3453

 

Will My Payment Account be Charged for a Rejected Filing?

No, your credit card will not be charged. Only accepted filings are charged. When the filing is submitted, the system does a preauthorization that will hold the funds on your card, but once the rejection notification has been sent to the financial institution that owns your card, those funds should be released (some banks and credit card companies can take 3-14 business days to process this information and remove the hold). The same is true if you cancel a filing or your filing goes into a submission fail. 

Source: Odyssey eFile Web Site

 

Why Are Charges Still Pending on My Credit Card?

Charges associated with your filing will be in pending status until your filing is accepted, rejected, or cancelled. When you submit a filing, the system authorizes the cost of the filing on your credit card. The authorization hold is placed to ensure that the payment can be processed if your filing is accepted. An authorization hold is the practice within the banking industry of authorizing electronic transactions done with a debit card or credit card and holding this balance as unavailable either until the merchant clears the transaction (also called settlement), or the hold “falls off.”

          Debit cards - authorization holds can fall off the account ( rendering the balance available again)

                                 from 3-14 days after the transaction date depending on the bank’s policy.

          Credit cards - holds may last as long as 30 days, depending on the issuing bank.

Source: Odyssey eFile Web Site

 

9. Rejected Filings:

- You will be notified by email if your filing is rejected. You will then have the opportunity to make the necessary corrections

  and re-submit it to the Court.

- To correct a filing submitted through Legal e-File, see the following:

     (1) Select the "E-Filing" tab ⇒ Select "Filing Status" on the left to see a list of all of the filings you have submitted to the Court. 

     (2) Click on the Filing Id of the rejected filing to open it in edit mode.

     (3) Make the necessary corrections

     (4) Click "Sign & File"

 

10. Service Contacts:

Occasionally you may select a service contact that no longer exists in the Court’s electronic filing manager (EFM). This may result in an error indicating “Service Recipient Invalid”. If you receive this error, you’ll want to REFRESH the case in Legal e-File to make sure it is displaying the latest case and service contact information, then submit your filing again by following these steps:

     (1) Uncheck all the Service Contacts on your filing.

     (2) Click the SAVE DRAFT link on your filing in the upper right.

     (3) Click the case number link to view your case.

     (4) Click the REFRESH link in upper right to force the system to get the latest case information.

     (5) Click the Filing Status tab on the left to view a list of all of your filings, then click the Filing ID of your DRAFT filing to open it.

     (6) Re-Select your Service Contacts, and re-submit the filing.

*Note: If you continue to have issues, contact support using the LIVE CHAT tab on the bottom right.

 

11. Signatures:

- e-Filed documents may be signed by:

     (1) Scanning your written signature

           or

     (2) Using an electronic signature in place of a scanned signature.

           You may sign your document by placing “/s/” followed by your printed name on the document signature line.

                     Example: /s/ John J. Smith 

*Note: Review state and local court rules regarding signature requirements before filing your documents.

 

12. Signed Orders (or any other document requiring a clerk or Judge signature):

- Upload your documents, and submit your filing as normal. The court will process your submission, and send you a file-stamped version,      or in some cases a document that has been stamped “E-Received” via your Accepted filing email. This version of the document will also      be posted to the e-Filing system.

- Signed Orders are not delivered back to the filer through the e-filing system. Once the court has signed the necessary document, you will    receive a copy either by email or by traditional mail. This will vary from court to court.

*Note: Indiana filers may receive their orders from the Odyssey e-Notices system.

 

13. Writ:

- When selecting a document type for your filing you may notice that the document type you need has not been provided by the court.         However, it is still required that you select one of the available options.

- When attempting to file a Writ, if the document type is not available, it has been recommended that you selectApplication. It is also          important to mention, you will need to fill out the Document Description section so that the court can effectively process your filing.