Buying math worksheet
Estimate whether a law firm software purchase can pay back before you buy.
Use this worksheet to compare contract AI, legal document templates, and law firm growth systems by monthly cost, time saved, avoided rework, and better follow-up. AI Law Firm Tools may earn a commission from some links on this page. This is software research, not legal or financial advice.
Simple ROI formula
Monthly value estimate: hours saved x internal hourly value + avoided rework + extra collected revenue from better follow-up – monthly software cost.
| Budget lane | Value to estimate | Approved starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Contract AI | Hours saved on drafting, redlines, clause comparison, and playbook reuse. | Try Genie AI |
| Legal document templates | Lower drafting friction for routine forms, agreements, letters, leases, and small-business documents. | Browse LawDepot templates |
| Law firm growth systems | Recovered value from faster follow-up, better lead tracking, clearer accountability, and fewer missed consults. | Review PILMMA resources |
Estimate hours saved
List the recurring task: contract review, template drafting, intake follow-up, reporting, or owner accountability. Estimate weekly hours saved and multiply by the internal value of that time.
Estimate avoided rework
Some tools pay back by reducing re-drafting, missed clauses, duplicate intake work, or poor template selection. Count only rework you can realistically avoid.
Estimate recovered revenue
For growth and intake systems, estimate recovered consults or better follow-up separately. Do not mix speculative new revenue with ordinary time savings.
Example monthly worksheet
| Input | Example | Your number |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly hours saved | 3 hours | |
| Internal hourly value | ||
| Monthly time value | 3 x x 4 = ,200 | |
| Avoided rework or recovered value | ||
| Monthly software cost | ||
| Estimated monthly net value | ,200 + – = ,250 |
When the math points to contract workflow
Use this path when repeated drafting, review, redlines, and clause reuse are the bottleneck.
When the math points to routine documents
Use this path when a structured first draft matters more than a full software implementation.
When the math points to intake and follow-up
Use this path when the firm is losing value through inconsistent lead handling or weak accountability.
Related buyer guides
Before estimating ROI: use the law firm software decision tree to decide which workflow deserves the math.
Before clicking a partner offer: use the law firm software comparison matrix to confirm the category and payback path.
Before estimating ROI: use the buyer pathways hub to confirm which workflow should produce payback.