File & Serve Texas New Case Filing- User Guide

File & Serve Texas New Case Filing- User Guide

File & Serve Texas New Case Filings TABLE OF CONTENTS New Case Filing Overview 3 Getting Started 4 Step 1 - Case Type 8 Step 2 - Parties 9 Step 3 - Documents 11 Step 4 - Service Contact 15 Step 5 - Review & Submit 18 Transaction details and File Stamped location 21 2

New Case Filing Overview The File & Serve Texas Quick Guide provides a convenient source of information to help you efficiently e-file a new case. Logging in to File & Serve Texas Before You Begin 1. Refer to the appropriate court rules on electronic filing prior to using File & Serve Texas to ensure that you are in compliance with local requirements. 2. Check our minimum system requirements to be sure your computer is correctly configured for using File & Serve Texas. 3. If you need assistance, call our Client Support line at 1-888-529-7587. 4. Our Client support representatives are available 24/7 5. If there is an error at any point in the filing process you will be alerted and the message will indicate that you need to contact Client Support or submit your filing request to Concierge at concierge@fileandservexpress.com 1. Using Microsoft Internet Explorer or Chrome open your browser and go to https://www.fileandservetexas. com. 1. Click on the Login link. 2. Enter your assigned ID and password and click Sign in. 3. You may also sign in with your efiletexas user name and password if you already have one. 3

Getting Started Access the File & Serve Texas login page at https://www.fileandservetexas.com then click on Login 4

File&ServeTexas - 5 Step Process Each of these steps is detailed in this guide: 1. Case Type Allows you to select a new or subsequent case to e File and/or e Serve into. 2. Parties Allows you to enter parties named in the case and select the sending parties. 3. Documents Lets you select the type of document you are submitting, attach your documents, order optional services from the court and add courtesy copy emails. 4. Service Contacts Allows you to add service recipients from the Public list or Firm master list or enter a new service contact email address from your firm. 5. Review & Submit Tab Allows you to review your work and submit the transaction to the court. 5

Home Page Once you are logged into your account you will be taken to the Completed Filings page. 6

Select Submit a New Filing There are two ways to start a New filing: 1. Click on Filing drop down menu on the top right of the screen and select Submit a New Filing Or 2. Click on the button on the black bar to begin. 7

Step 1- Case Type To file a new case using File and Serve Texas, follow these steps: 1. Using the dropdown for Is this filing for an existing case choose No. 2. Choose your Jurisdiction. Note: you can easily find your jurisdiction by typing it into the type field. 3. Choose File Type. 3. Choose your Case Category. 4. Choose your Case Type. 5. Choose the Damage Amount. 6. Choose the Procedure Remedy. Note: multiple selections can be made for this field. 7. Choose your payment account. 8. Choose your Attorney. 9. Enter your Client Matter ID. Note: (this is a required field) 10. Click Next to move to Step 2. 8

Step 2- Parties 1. Click Create New Parties to enter new parties. 2. This will open a new screen. 3. Choose your party type. 4. Select the radio buttons for Person or Business and Is this your client 5. Enter the address and telephone number. Note: These are not required fields Note: Complete Address and Phone No. for the Courts that require these fields. 6. Click Add Party 7. If you have added many parties and want to check on a party, enter the party name and click go to search the current case list. Note: Mandatory party types are designated with an *. The system will not let you continue to the next step until the mandatory number of parties/types have been entered. Note: use the Clear button to clear all fields and start over. 9

Step 2-Parties Tab cont. 1. As you add parties, they will populate in the List of Parties. 2. To edit a party, click on the pen icon and to remove a party, click on the trash can icon. 3. Check the box next to the Party Type to select a sending party. 4. When you have finished adding all parties, click Next to move to Step 3. If you have added multiple parties on the Parties Tab, to find a specific party, follow these steps: 1. Enter any/all of the users information in the Party Name field and click Go : 2. This will populate the screen with only the party(ies) that match your search criteria. 10

Step 3- Documents 1. Use the dropdown to choose File, File & Serve or Serve Only. Note: if you choose File, you will skip Step 4-Service Contact, if you choose File & Serve, you will add service recipients on the Service Contact tab. 2. Choose the appropriate Filing code for your main document. 3. Enter the Filing Description for the lead document. Note: If you have a attachment you can enter the document description for the supportive document with the Lead document description. 4. Click Browse to search for your document on your computer. Non-.pdf documents will be converted to.pdf, and both versions will be available for review. 5. Select the appropriate Document Category for your document. 6. Enter a document description. Note: (this a required field) 7. Click +Add More Attachment(s) to add supporting documents. Note: (This will only appear if that court allows for supporting documents) 11

Step 3 Document Tab cont. 8. Click Browse to search for your document on your computer. 9. Select the appropriate Document Category for your attachment. 10. Enter a document description. (Note: This is a require field) 11. Click +Add More Attachment(s) to add supporting documents. 12. When you have finished adding all attachments that are related to the lead document, scroll to the bottom of the page to complete the steps for attaching this set of documents. 13. If you see No Attachment Allowed this will become activated after you select your filing code. 14. If No Attachment Allowed does not change to + Add more attachments then supporting documents are not allowed in that Jurisdiction. 12

Step 3 Document cont. 13. Use the checkboxes and scroll bar under Optional Services to select optional services. Note: The unit cost and total fees are calculated for each line item. 14. Enter courtesy copy email and separate email addresses by a comma and space. Note: (this is optional field and) 15. Make a Note to the Clerk Note: (this is optional field) 16. Click Save to save your selections. 17. Choose the party that is Responsible for Filing Fees then click Next. 13

Step 3 Document cont. A new page will display for you to review your documents. 1. To edit a document, click on the pen icon. 2. To remove a document, click on the trash can icon. Note: Once you edit a document click update to save the selection. 3. The fees are calculated at the bottom of the screen. 4. Scroll to the bottom of the page to review the total fees. 5. Add more Leading Documents as you like. 6. Click Next to move to step 4. Note: Use the Back button to move back through the steps to edit information. 14

Step 4- Service Contact 1. If you have chosen File on the Documents Tab, you will receive the following message. 2. Click Next To Continue. Note: Use the Back button to move back through the steps to edit information. 15

Step 4. Service Contact cont. If you chose File & Serve, you can choose to add a service contact from your Firm Service Contacts, Add a New Service Contact, or Add a Contact from the public list. 1. To add a Firm Service Contact from your division, enter full or partial information for the contact and click Search. 2. Click Add to List to add the service contact for service and he/she will then be listed under e-service list. 3. The Service Contact screen will display the Current Notice List of parties to be e-served. 4. The check boxes will be pre-checked to designate them for e-service 5. Click Next to move to Step 5. 16

Step 4-Service Contacts cont. To add a New Service Contact: 1. Enter the information for the contact including the email address. 2. Enter emails separated by commas for anyone that needs to be copied on service to this contact in the Administrative Copy field. 3. A checkbox is provided to make this contact public. 4. Click Save to add the service contact for service. 5. Click Next to move to Step 5. Note: Add a New Service Contact to add a contact from your organization. If you add a non-oag contact here they will be automatically attached to OAG firm. To add a Service Contact from the Public List: 1. Enter full or partial information for the contact and click Search. 2. Click Add to List to add the service contact for service. 3. Click Next to move to Step 5. 17

Step 5- Review & Submit The top section of the Review & Submit Tab gives you the ability to review and edit your Case Type, Parties, Documents, Responsible Party and Service Contacts. 1. To edit information, click on the Pen icon. 2. Click on the Original Document link to view the document in its original format. 3. Click on the Converted Document link to view the documents as a.pdf. 18

Step 5-Review & Submit cont. Review the Fees related to this transaction: 1. Use the Back button to move back through the steps to edit information. 2. When you have reviewed your filing, click the Submit button to submit your transaction. 3. Once you submit your filing, you will receive the following message with your envelope ID number. 4. You will get a confirmation of your Envelope ID number from File&ServeTexas and a confirmation email from NoReply@eFileTexas.gov. 19

Step 5-Review & Submit cont. The system will redirect you to your Completed Filings queue and your filing will be added to the list of completed filings: 1. Click the Icon to view the details of the filing. 2. Click on the to filing a subsequent filing in this case. 20

Transaction Details: 1. When you click on the eyeball icon, a transaction detail page will open to show the transaction summary. 2. To close, click the X button on top of the page. Locate your File Stamped Copy: 1. Once you open your transaction details, go to Document Section and click on Stamped Document blue hyperlink to open your file marked copy. 21

Questions?