Collecting Your Fee: Getting Paid from Intake to Invoice

Collecting Your Fee:
Getting Paid from Intake to Invoice eBook

By Edward Poll

(6x9", 143 pages + with forms eBook, ISBN: 1-59031-153-1, Published by American Bar Association, 2003)

A best-selling, practical guide that includes a forms for intake, engagement letters, status reports, budgets, sample bills and collection letters, accounts receivable aging reports and more.

This book is in PDF format.

eBook & extra files: $79.00

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If you need a printed version, you might find a used one for sale at Amazon.com.

"Ed Poll has done it again. He's created a down-to-earth guide for lawyers to collect their unpaid bills. The book is full of practical advice such as, "if you don't create a collection policy, your clients will create one for you."

"The book offers lots of good advice on engagement letters, detailed bills, fee agreements and intake forms. Plus it's loaded with useful forms. If you read this book, you'll have a lot less trouble getting paid for your work."

– Larry Bodine, Web and Marketing Consultant


"This slim book is geared toward solo and small firm lawyers – especially those just starting out. It would also be especially helpful to those lawyers suffering from a constant backlog of clients who never seem to pay their bills on time."

– Alan R. Nye Law Offices
www.alannye.com

1. Introduction
Improving the Relationship
Preventive Medicine
The History of Credit
Different Perspectives on Debt
You Are Not a Victim
Action Plan

2. Intake Process
From the Beginning
The Intake Interview
Extending Credit
Creating a Credit Application
The Lawyer as Sleuth
Creating a Credit Policy
Action Plan

3. Acceptance of Representation
Fee Agreement
Engagement Letter
Withdrawing
Action Plan

4. Informing the Client
Increasing Contact
Informing the Client
Obtaining Consent
Action Plan

5. Budgeting
Reasons for Budgets
Creating a Budget
Agreement from Clients
Client's Right to Know
Payment Concerns
Action Plan

6. Pricing as a Two-Way Contract with the Client
Pricing Is a Two-Way Agreement
Responsibilities of the Lawyer
Responsibilities of the Client
Consequences
Action Plan

7. Billing
Keeping Records
Keeping Time
Periodic Billing
Billing Details
Impact on Collections
Marketing Opportunities
Action Plan

8. Technology
The Role of Technology in Accounts Receivable
Factors to Consider Before Updating Technology
What Accounts Receivable Technology Looks Like
Action Plan

9. The Collection Process
Overview
Review the Terms of the Agreement
Review the Local Rules of Professional Conduct
Create a Written Policy
Assigning Responsibility for Collections
Accounts Receivable Reports
Accounts Receivable Clerk
Contacting the Client
Obtaining the Information
Discounting the Bill
Action Plan

10. When In-House Collection Fails
Cutting Your Losses
Efforts from the Firm
Collection Agencies
Filing Suit
Winning
Action Plan

11. Final Words
Benefits from a Better Collections Process
Merchant Account
Collaborative Relationships with the Accounts-Payable Department
Knowing Others in the Client's Organization
Conclusion

Appendices Include
Sample Forms, Letters, Reports and Scripts
Diskette

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