The short answer
Firms need processing that settles client funds into trust and fees into the operating account, with processing costs never deducted from trust. Most bar and law-society rules require exactly this separation, and generic merchant accounts do not provide it by default.
The fee deduction problem
A standard account nets fees from each deposit, which for a trust deposit means taking money from client funds. Configure gross settlement with fees billed separately to the operating account.
Retainers and evergreen billing
Card on file with automatic top-up when a retainer falls below a threshold keeps matters funded without the awkward conversation, provided the engagement letter discloses it.
Key takeaways
- Never allow fees to be deducted from trust
- Use separate settlement paths for trust and operating
- Disclose card-on-file retainer top-ups in the engagement letter
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