Trust Requests in Lawcus allow you to effortlessly request funds from your clients, whether as an upfront deposit, escrow deposit, or a trust fund top-up.
Steps to Create Trust Requests
Click and open
Billingfrom the left menu and select theAccounts Tab.
Click on the
Dropdown Optionright next toNew Account.
Select
Trust Requestfrom the available options.Select the
ClientandMatterfor which you want to raise the Trust Request. The client selection is mandatory.Specify the
Amountin the designated field. Optionally, you can include a brief note for the client's reference, providing any relevant details or context about the request.You can also skip the approval process of Trust Requests by clicking on
Skip approval processcheckbox.
Select the
Templateas per your requirement. The Default template will be applied automatically.Confirm all entries and click the
Createbutton to generate the trust request. Lawcus will now process your request, and the client will be notified.
You can always submit a Trust Request for a client without choosing a matter. Choose a matter when the Trust Fund is meant for a specific matter.
This will create a Trust Invoice, which can then be sent to the client for payment.
Clients can make online payments incase Lawcus Payments/Lawpay is integrated with Lawcus.
Trust requests can also be created from the respective Account page as well. Click on the desired Trust account and under the dropdown next to Deposit, click on Trust Request.
How to Deposit an Amount Directly into Trust Account?
You can manually deposit the amount into the target trust account if clients make direct cash payments. Follow the steps below.
Click on
Billingfrom the left side menu and select theAccounts Tabfrom the top.Click open the
Trust Accounton which you want to deposit the amount. You will notice theSelect Bank Accountfield is pre-filled.
Alternatively, on the
Accountpage, click theDropdownmenu next to theNew Accountbutton and selectDepositfrom the available options. Then, select the bank account on which you want to deposit the amount from theSelect Bank AccountField.Add all applicable details like
Client Name,Matter Name,Note&CheckDetails.Add the
Amount.Finally, click on
Saveto complete the deposit.
You may use Nova AI to consistently write the notes for you.
The deposit process is also the same for depositing into another account. Instead of the Trust Account, select the desired account. That's all.
Steps to Withdraw from Account
Click on
Billingfrom the left side menu and select theAccounts Tabfrom the top.Select the
desired Accountand under the down arrow next toDeposits, selectWithdraw. Your Bank Account will be selected in this case.Alternatively, under the
Accountstab, click on the down arrow next toNew Accountand selectWithdraw.
Select
Client,Matter,Bank Account(mandatory),Amount(mandatory), and addNotesandCheckdetails, and click onMake Withdrawto proceed.
The Withdrawal can be from either the Trust Account or Operating Account based on your need and selection respectively.
FAQ Section
FAQ1: What can I do if I can't download a trust request but need a fast alternative?
Answer: Contact us so we can investigate the issue and get back to you. If it is urgent, try to email the trust request to yourself so you can download it.
FAQ2: Is there any difference between a credit request and a trust request?
Answer: Yes, there's a difference. A trust request puts money into a special account called a trust account, while a credit request puts money into the regular account that the law firm uses for its everyday operations.
Credit Request: Asking a bank or lender for money that the law firm will use for its own needs, like paying bills or growing the business.
Trust Request: Handling money that belongs to clients. Lawyers hold onto this money for specific reasons, like legal work or settlements, and must be very careful to use it only for those purposes. Requests here involve moving or using the money that belongs to clients correctly, following strict rules.