Manage Your Matters

Matters are the software’s building blocks, allowing you to create timecards, expense cards, invoices, trust transactions, and use the software’s practice management tools.

Your matter options include:

• Add
• Edit
• Copy
• Delete
• Archive 

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Add a Matter

To add a matter:

1. From the left navigation panel, click Matters.
2. From the toolbar atop the Matters screen, click Add.

Add Matter Screen Fields

Matter File #	Enter an internal tracking number, if desired. The system can also auto-generate this field.
Date Opened	Defaults to today’s date. You can use the drop-down to click a different date.
Client	Take the appropriate action: Client Already Exists in System Enter the first few characters of the client’s name. A drop-down displays potential matches. Click the appropriate client. The client name populates the field. New Client To the right of the field, click Add Client. The Add Client screen opens. Complete the fields as needed. You can enter only the name and click Save if desired.
Matter Name	From the drop-down, click the matter name. You can also enter a new name or customize the list.
Billing Method	From the drop-down, click the billing method. If you choose Fixed or Contingency, additional fields will display for fee entry.
Matter Owner	From the drop-down, click the matter owner.
Custom Labels	Add a custom label if desired.
Area of Law	From the drop-down, click the area of law. This is a required field for Canadian firms.
Notes	Capture notes related to client matter intake or for infrequent reference. This is a dedicated notes section for ongoing case notes.
Trust Bank	From the section’s Default Trust Bank field, use the drop-down to click your trust bank. You can also click Add New Bank to add a new trust bank.  Important You must link a matter to a trust bank to enter trust transactions. If you need to add a second trust bank to a matter, choose the default trust bank from the drop-down menu, and then click Add New Bank to add additional trust accounts.
Integrated Payments	This field will be visible if you have integrated payments enabled. Select your default merchant account for operating bank. This will allow transactions to be processed in the correct bank.
Enable eBilling	If you wish to enable eBilling for this matter, check the box.  Note that this checkbox will be disabled if you have not turned on the ebIlling settings within the setup section.
Active	Check the box to make the matter active. If at any point you wish to archive your matter, you can edit the matter, and uncheck this box, then save. That will move the matter to the inactive list within the system.

In the upper right corner, click Save.

• You will be redirected to the Settings section with tabs atop the screen.
• Click on each tab to complete the remaining settings. 
• If you have enabled the matter for eBilling, you will be redirected to the eBilling page.

Edit a Matter

To edit a matter:

1. From the left navigation panel, click Matters.
2. On the Matters screen, single-click the matter, and then from the toolbar, click Edit.
3. At the bottom of the Matter’s left navigation, click Settings.
4. From the tabs atop the Settings section, click Matter Info.
5. On the Settings Matter Info screen, edit the fields as needed.
   Note

   If you entered billable items, you will not be able to enter the billing method.

6. In the upper right corner, click Save.
   The system saves your updates.

Copy a Matter

You can copy a matter’s information and settings into a new matter.

To copy a matter:

1. From the left navigation panel, click Matters.
2. On the Matters screen, single-click the matter to highlight it.
3. From the toolbar, click Copy.
4. On the Copy from Source Matter screen, click Edit Client to select a different client or to edit client information, if needed.
5. From the Matter Name field’s drop-down, click the matter name or enter a new name.
6. From the Open Date field’s drop-down, click the open date or leave the default to today’s date.
7. Click Save.

Delete a Matter

To delete a matter:

1. From the left navigation panel, click Matters.
2. On the Matters screen, single-click the matter, and then from the toolbar, click Delete.
   The Delete Matter message box reads: Are you sure you want to delete selected Matter?
3. Click Yes.
   The system deletes the matter.

Archive a Matter

To archive a matter:

1. Confirm you are not retaining funds for the matter. If the matter shows a trust balance, you must disburse all funds prior to archiving the matter.
2. Accrual-based accounting clients must write-off accounts receivable/unpaid balances prior to archiving the matter.
3. Single-click the matter to highlight it, and then from the toolbar, click Edit.
4. On the Edit Matter screen, beneath the Advanced Settings section, uncheck the box beside Active.
5. In the upper right corner, click Save.
   The system moves the matter to Inactive status.