Many firms advance case costs and recover them at the end of the matter, as the fee agreement allows. When costs are pieced together from bank statements months later, items are missed and receipts are hard to find. Counsel decides what is charged and how. Litigation support keeps the record.
What to record for each cost
- The matter, the date and who was paid.
- The category: filing fee, service of process, medical records, court reporter, expert, mediation, copies and postage, travel.
- The amount, and where the receipt or invoice is filed.
- Whether it has been reimbursed.
Review it monthly
Match the ledger to the operating account once a month. Missing receipts are much easier to replace while they are recent.
At the end of the case
A ledger by matter, with totals by category and copies of receipts, gives counsel what is needed for the closing statement.
Our case cost ledger keeps costs by matter and totals them.
Litigation support is performed at the direction of a licensed attorney. The fee agreement and the professional rules decide how costs are handled.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or regulatory advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible agency or a licensed professional.
