Unlocking the Benefits of Credit Card Payments for Law Firms

In today's legal landscape, I still encounter companies that are hesitant to offer their law firm clients the option to pay by credit card. Yet, providing this payment method can significantly improve a law firm's cash flow and speed up the collection of accounts receivable. It's a win-win for both parties involved.

So, why the resistance? Here are some common excuses I hear from my attorney clients about why they don't offer credit card payments:

•  Concerns about Fees: Many law firms need to pay more attention to the expenses of having a merchant provider for credit card transactions. They see it as an additional
•  They prefer Checks: Some firms still prefer to be paid by checks, believing it safer.
•  Struggle to Find the Right Merchant Provider: Decision-makers in law firms often need help selecting the right merchant provider, which adds to their reluctance.
•  There is a Lack of Awareness: Some law firms need to be made aware they can connect a merchant provider to their Trust or IOLTA bank accounts for seamless transactions.

It's important to note that there are regulations governing merchant providers and the handling of retainers in trust bank accounts. Unfortunately, I've seen law firms attempt to use QuickBooks merchant services, which can lead to a messy and non-compliant workflow, raising concerns with bar associations.

Thankfully, there are alternatives available, depending on your legal tech software:

LawPay

This trusted option has existed for a long time, and transactions often appear as AffiniPay. LawPay recently acquired the software MyCase, making it an ideal choice for MyCase users.

Lean Law and Gravity Legal (now Confido Legal)

This combo is particularly popular among immigration law firms. It offers numerous features, including payment plans. It is easy to set up and can push payments into trust bank accounts.

Clio Payments

This is the most efficient way for Clio users to receive payments using the Clio software.

Can law firms pass on merchant fees to their clients? The answer depends on your jurisdiction's laws and regulations. There are strict rules about labeling these fees on invoices, and recent legislation limits surcharges to a maximum of 3% per transaction. These payment providers are designed to calculate and manage these fees while ensuring compliance, but proper setup is crucial.

A quick note about Clio Payments: If you prefer automation, consider having fees deducted monthly instead of per transaction to avoid manual reconciliation headaches.

I hope this explanation clarifies attorney fees and law firm payment methods. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need help setting up any of these solutions.