Professional Services
Best POS Systems for Law Firms
Law firms need payment solutions that comply with trust account rules and bar requirements. The right system separates operating and trust account payments, handles retainer billing, and integrates with legal billing software.
Common Challenges
•Trust account compliance
•Retainer collection
•IOLTA requirements
•Earned vs unearned fee separation
•Credit card fee handling
•Bar association rules
•Client billing integration
Must-Have Features
- ✓Trust account separation
- ✓Professional invoicing
- ✓Retainer billing
- ✓Payment documentation
- ✓ACH payments
- ✓Fee surcharging options
Nice-to-Have Features
- ○Legal billing integration
- ○Matter-based tracking
- ○Client portal
- ○Payment plan setup
- ○Compliance reporting
Top Picks for Best POS Systems for Law Firms
Frequently Asked Questions
How do law firms handle trust account payments?
Use a processor that supports multiple deposit accounts or separate merchant accounts for trust vs operating. Many firms use specialized legal payment processors (LawPay, Clio Payments) designed for IOLTA compliance.
Can I pass credit card fees to clients?
Depends on jurisdiction and bar rules. Some states allow surcharging, others prohibit it for legal fees. Check your state bar's ethics opinions. Cash discount programs may be an alternative where surcharging is prohibited.