Trust requests let your firm collect an initial retainer or top up a matter when trust funds reach a minimum, so the funds are in place before you bill against them. Creating a trust request records the amount you are asking the client to deposit and where to store it, at the client or matter level.
Note: Create a trust account in Clio Manage before completing this procedure.
Understand client funds requests and transactions
Trust requests and trust transactions are different tools. A request asks for funds and whereas the trust transaction can be recorded when the client pays.
- Client fund request
An ask for the client to deposit funds into your client funds account, such as a retainer. Your firm will not receive payment until the client pays.
- Client funds transaction
A transaction recorded for accounting purposes showing funds were received and deposited in the trust account ledger, transferred into or our of a trust account, or that funds were disbursed.
To record money that has already moved, see Record Client Funds Transactions.
Create a client funds request
Client funds requests collect initial client funds deposits or retainers, or add funds to a matter when the balance reaches a minimum. Client funds requests do not include time or expense activities. You can create a client funds request from the contact Dashboard, the matter Dashboard, the main Billing tab, or the global Create new menu.
Note: Without enhanced client funds accounting, you can store client funds at the client or matter level, and you choose where and when you create the request. With enhanced client funds accounting enabled, select the matter where the funds are held to meet client funds compliance rules. The request currency is determined by the billing preferences for the matter or the client. Client funds do not earn interest and are not eligible for an early payment discount, in compliance with SRA rules. Payments made on client funds requests are deposited in full into your Clio client funds account.
- Go to a contact and click New trust request. Alternatively, click the global Create new + in the top right and select Client funds request.
- Complete the client funds request details.
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Optional: Select Skip the client funds request approval process to send the request directly to the client without approval from another firm member.
Important: Skipping the approval process locks the client funds request for editing after you generate it. To keep a request editable, leave the approval process in place.
- Click Save client funds request.
Autofill client funds request amount
If you have set up evergreen retainers, autofill calculates the amount you need to request to meet the minimum client funds balance. Above the Amount field, select Autofill, then choose an option. You can override the amount before you send the request.
Note: Autofill options change only the request amount. A client funds request shows a single total and does not itemise outstanding bills or work in progress. To explain the amount to your client, use Add a note.
- Replenish to minimum
Tops up the client funds balance to the matter threshold.
- Replenish and outstanding balance
The matter threshold plus any unpaid bills.
- Replenish, outstanding balance, and work in progress
The matter threshold plus unpaid bills plus unbilled work in progress.
Up next
- Approve and Send Client Funds Requests: Approve a client funds request and send it to your client.
- Record Payments on Client Funds Requests: Record a payment on a client funds request when your client pays.