NextChapter
NextChapter is a cloud-based legal software platform that streamlines bankruptcy filing and case management for attorneys through automated workflows, credit report integration, and electronic court filing capabilities.
Smokeball
Smokeball is a cloud-based legal practice management software that helps small to mid-sized law firms manage matters, track time automatically, and generate documents to increase overall firm productivity.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | NextChapter | Smokeball |
|---|---|---|
| Website | nextchapterbk.com | smokeball.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $39/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2016 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Columbus, USA | Chicago, USA |
Overview
NextChapter
NextChapter is a specialized legal platform designed to help you manage bankruptcy cases from start to finish in a single browser tab. You can automate the entire petition preparation process by importing client data directly from credit reports and public records, eliminating manual entry and reducing errors. The software handles Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13, providing you with a customized workflow for each specific filing type.
You can collaborate with your team and clients in real-time through a secure portal, ensuring all necessary documents are collected and signed digitally. The platform integrates directly with PACER and ECF systems, allowing you to file cases with the court in just a few clicks. Whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a larger firm, you can scale your bankruptcy practice without increasing your administrative overhead.
Smokeball
Smokeball is a cloud-based legal practice management platform designed to help you run a more productive and profitable law firm. It centralizes your entire practice by combining matter management, automated document creation, and lead tracking in one interface. You can manage every detail of a case from initial intake to final billing without jumping between different applications or manual spreadsheets.
The platform solves the common headache of manual time entry by automatically recording every minute you spend working on documents and emails. This ensures you never miss a billable hour and provides deep insights into your firm's profitability. Whether you practice family law, estate planning, or personal injury, you can use pre-built matter types and automated forms to slash the time spent on administrative tasks.
Overview
NextChapter Features
- Automated Credit Imports Import your client's liabilities and creditor addresses directly into the petition to save hours of manual typing.
- One-Click Court Filing Submit your completed petitions directly to the court's ECF system without leaving the software interface.
- Client Intake Portal Invite your clients to a secure portal where they can complete questionnaires and upload documents directly.
- Chapter 13 Calculator Calculate plan payments and means testing automatically based on the latest local rules and jurisdictional requirements.
- Digital Signatures Collect legally binding signatures from your clients remotely using the integrated NextChapter Sign tool.
- Case Management Track deadlines, manage tasks, and store all case-related documents in a centralized, searchable cloud database.
Smokeball Features
- Automatic Time Tracking. Capture every billable second automatically as you work on documents and emails so you never miss a minute of revenue.
- Document Automation. Generate complex legal documents in seconds using a library of over 20,000 automated forms that pull data directly from your matters.
- Matter Management. Organize all your files, contacts, and deadlines in one digital location to keep your entire team synchronized on every case.
- Legal Billing. Create professional invoices and manage trust accounting effortlessly with built-in tools that sync directly with your tracked time and expenses.
- Lead Management. Track potential new clients from the first phone call through the intake process to ensure no new business falls through the cracks.
- Mobile App. Access your entire law firm from your pocket to view matter details, call clients, and track time while you are on the go.
Pricing Comparison
NextChapter Pricing
- Pay only when you file
- Unlimited users and storage
- All bankruptcy chapters included
- Credit report imports
- Client intake portal access
- Everything in Pro, plus:
- Discounted per-case filing fees
- Priority customer support
- Advanced firm reporting
- Customized firm branding
Smokeball Pricing
- Time and expense tracking
- Legal billing and invoicing
- Trust accounting
- Smokeball Payments integration
- Basic reporting
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Bill, plus:
- Full matter management
- Document management
- Email management with Outlook
- Tasks and workflows
- Shared firm calendar
Pros & Cons
NextChapter
Pros
- Intuitive interface is much easier than legacy software
- Direct ECF integration saves significant filing time
- Excellent customer support via live chat
- Cloud access allows you to work from anywhere
Cons
- Per-case fees can add up for high-volume firms
- Learning curve for complex Chapter 11 filings
- Occasional lag during peak court filing hours
Smokeball
Pros
- Automatic time tracking captures revenue you might otherwise miss
- Extensive library of automated legal forms saves hours of drafting
- Deep integration with Microsoft Word and Outlook streamlines workflows
- Excellent customer support and personalized onboarding experience
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some basic competitors
- Steep learning curve due to the vast feature set
- Full automation features require the desktop version