Document Assembly Began in Utah
The origins of HotDocs software date back to the late 1970s. Back then, a pioneering research project at Brigham Young University Law School used computers to create legal documents. This, the first known document assembly project, led to the development of a PC-based tool for creating "automated practice systems." In 1987, the project spawned the creation of Capsoft Development to continue the work and commercialize the technology. In 1993, Capsoft launched version 1 of HotDocs, which quickly became the company’s flagship product.
In October 1997, Capsoft Development was acquired by Matthew Bender & Company, a legal publisher with 20 offices worldwide. In 1998, Matthew Bender was acquired by Reed Elsevier Inc. and became part of the LexisNexis Group. During the LexisNexis years, what began as Capsoft Development became known as the HotDocs business unit. In November of 2009 the HotDocs business unit was purchased by Capsoft UK, the largest distributor of HotDocs technology outside the United States. Capsoft UK has since been renamed HotDocs Limited.
