Creating a New Client or Matter

Overview

This tutorial will walk you through the steps to creating a New Client or Matter in TrustBooks. You must create a client before you create and assign a matter.

Steps

1. Start on the Dashboard Page, select Clients and Matters.

2. On the CLIENTS & MATTERS drop-down menu, click Create Client. 

The Create Client page is displayed. There is only one required field on this page: Client Name. If this is a person, you should determine the format your firm will use to input persons. For example, your firm could enter as ‘last name, first name’ or ‘first name last name’ format. TrustBooks allows users to use any format when entering a client name. The other fields are optional and for your own records. If you choose to include Client address information, and add Client as a Payee, the address information will be printed on the check, if you choose to use the check printing feature.

Once you have created the new client, you have the option to Save & Enter Deposit, Save & Create Next Client, or just Save Client. Be sure to click on one of the options before navigating away from this page.

Creating a Matter:

3. Begin on your Dashboard and under CLIENTS & MATTERS, click on Create Matter: 

The Create Matter page is displayed:

4. On this page, you must first assign the new matter to an existing client by choosing from the drop-down menu under Client.

Enter Matter Name. This is the description your firm uses to describe the specific matter for a client. You can either choose a Matter from the drop-down list, or begin typing the new matter name in the box. For example, if you had a bankruptcy practice, you might describe the matters as Chapter 11, Chapter 7, Consultation, etc.  Not all firms use a matter name. If your firm does not use a matter name, you should enter the client's name in this field.

Be sure to select one of the options at the bottom of the page before navigating away:

6. Save all changes. You have three options:

Save – information will be saved, and you will be redirected to the Dashboard page.

Save & Enter Deposit – information will be saved and you have a shortcut option to go directly to the Enter Deposit Slip page to enter a payment received from the client.

Cancel – the information will not be saved, and you will be redirected to the Dashboard page.