Math4Law Documentation

Create New File ​

Enter the file information and calculation settings, and press Create. You will be redirected to the File Editor page to start entering transactions.

You can change these settings later: open the More Actions menu in the file editor and select Edit file settings.

Settings with a Set as Default button can be saved as your personal default for new files.

The create new file page

File Name ​

The file name is a required field. A good file name will allow you to search and locate this file.

File Permissions ​

Use the File Permissions option to share the file with all account members or with your group members, or to keep it accessible only to you. This option is shown only when your account has more than one applicable choice.

Calculation Settings ​

Enter the initial annual interest rate for this calculation.

Select whether to use Simple or Compound interest. For compound interest, select the initial compound period: Annually, Monthly, or Daily.

Colorado Child Support Arrears ​

For Colorado accounts, when creating a new file with a 12% monthly compound rate, you can enable an automatic rate change: from 12% monthly compound to 10% annual compound on July 1, 2021, matching the Colorado statutory change.

Auto-Calculation Date ​

Enable the auto-calculate option to calculate the file for the current date every time it is opened. Enable "Stop calculating on the current date" if the calculation should not extend past today.

Simple Interest Options ​

The following options apply to simple interest calculations:

  • How to apply payments: first to interest, then to principal; current month, then past due principal, then interest; or current month, then interest, then principal. You can also override the apply order for an individual payment in the editor.
  • Prior Interest: interest that was accrued before the beginning of this calculation.
  • Grace Period: accrue interest only after a grace period. Choose No grace period, End of Month, Start of Next Month, or Number of Days.

Compound Interest Options ​

For compound interest calculations, you can choose to avoid accruing negative interest on negative balances.

Additional Options ​

Use the description field to save additional information about this file. This field is not printed on any form.

For uncommon cases, you can use 360 days per year instead of 365.