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.
3. On the Add Matter screen, in the Matter File # field, enter an internal tracking number, if desired. The system can also auto-generate this field.
4. In the Date Opened field, the system defaults to today’s date. You can use the drop-down to click a different date.
5. In the Client field, take the appropriate action:
   • Client Already Exists in System
     1. Enter the first few characters of the client’s name.
        A drop-down displays potential matches.
     2. Click the appropriate client.
        The client name populates the field.
   • New Client
     1. To the right of the field, click Add Client.
        The Add Client screen opens.
     2. Complete the fields as needed. You can enter only the name and click Save if desired.
6. From the Matter Name field’s drop-down, click the matter name. You can also enter a new name or customize the list.
7. From the Billing Method field’s drop-down, click the billing method. If you choose Fixed or Contingency, additional fields will display for fee entry.
8. From the Matter Owner field’s drop-down, click the matter owner.
9. In the Custom Labels field, add a custom label if desired.
10. From the Area of Law field’s drop-down, click the area of law. This is a required field for Canadian firms.
11. From the Trust Bank 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.

12. Click Advanced Settings.
13. Complete the Advanced Settings fields as needed.
14. In the upper right corner, click Save.
    The system saves your matter.

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. On the Edit Matter screen, edit the fields as needed.
   Note

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

4. 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.