Start safely in about ten minutes.
Install v7 from Microsoft Store or run it from source, build a neutral sample or a workspace from records you select, make that corpus active, and then open the local chat and review tools.
Fastest first-run path
- Install and open Maine Family Law LLM.
- Select Build Neutral Sample Corpus.
- Wait for the background build to finish.
- Select the new sample in the Installed corpus library.
- Select Use selected corpus.
- Select Open Local AI Chat.
The neutral sample contains fictional material and is the safest way to learn the workflow before importing private records.
Create a workspace from your own records
- Select Create New Case Corpus.
- Use Add folder or Add files to select only the records you intend to process.
- Enter a neutral case name or alias. Avoid placing children’s full names, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive details in the workspace name.
- Review the output location. Prefer a protected local folder or encrypted drive that you control.
- Select Build corpus and keep the app open while the background build runs.
- When complete, select the matter in the installed corpus library and choose Use selected corpus.
- Open Local AI Chat, Search / Indexes, or a review package.
Use copies when practical
Keep original legal records preserved in their existing location. For large or sensitive matters, consider staging copies in a dedicated folder before intake. Review cloud-sync settings before choosing OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or another synchronized location.
Open an existing matter
Select Open Existing Case Corpus and choose the matter workspace. You can also select a known matter in the installed corpus library and choose Use selected corpus.
Add more evidence later
Select Reopen Intake / Add More Evidence. Add only the new or changed records you want reviewed. The application tracks hashes and prior intake information so unchanged records can remain distinguishable from newly added material.
What Local AI Chat can see
Case-specific search and review depend on the currently active corpus. For the clearest first-run experience, activate the neutral sample or your own matter before opening Local AI Chat. General Maine-law research and personal-record review are separate tasks; always check which source scope is active before relying on an answer.
Before relying on an output
- Open the cited source card and confirm the source actually supports the statement.
- Check whether the source is official, current, and within Maine jurisdiction.
- Verify quoted language against the source text.
- Review generated timelines, evidence maps, classifications, and drafts for omissions or mistakes.
- Do not treat a generated document as filing-ready without qualified human review.
Privacy basics
- The standard application is designed to process selected records locally.
- Do not import records you are not authorized to possess or process.
- Protect your Windows account, matter folders, backups, and removable drives.
- Review every proposed export before sharing it.
- Do not post private matter files, logs, screenshots, or identifying facts in a public GitHub issue.
Troubleshooting
Use Repair / Troubleshoot from the launcher. Local logs are stored under %LOCALAPPDATA%\MaineFamilyLawLLM\logs. Redact private paths and matter information before sharing a log or screenshot.
Install, learn with the neutral sample, then create a protected matter workspace.
The sample-first workflow makes the controls familiar before any sensitive family records are added.