NOTE:  In the UK, trust accounts are called client accounts. Throughout this article, any reference to a trust account also means a client account.

On behalf of the client, you can make a payment to a third party using trust funds. You can also export a list of trust payments to share with your bank.

Making a Trust Payment to a Third Party

To make a trust a payment:

1. In Actionstep Practice Management, go to the Make Payment page. To do this, choose from any of the following workflows:
   • Click the global Create button and choose Make Payment under the Trust Accounting menu. (You may need to click Show all to view this option.)
   • Click the Trust menu in the main menu, then choose Payments > Make Payment.
   • Click the Trust menu in the main menu, then choose Payments > Payment List. Then click Make Payment. 
   • Edit a matter, click the Trust menu icon, and choose Make Payment. 
     All of these different workflows display the Make Payment page.
2. At the Make Payment page, provide the following information:
   • Matter: Enter the matter ID from where you would like to make the trust payment. If you are creating a payment from within a matter, this ID will already be filled in.
   • Trust account: Choose the trust account that will be used to make the payment.
   • Client / Balance / Protected Funds (if enabled) / Available Balance: Review the information in these fields.

   • Amount: Enter the total amount of the payment.

     NOTE:  If the amount you enter is more than the available balance, you will see an option to Authorize overdraw (located in the Payment information section). However, if the trust account uses protected funds, you will not be able to proceed until those protected funds are cleared. See Designating Trust (or Client) Funds as 'Protected' for more information.

   • Include payments from related matters: Choose whether you want to use trust funds from other matters where the trust client is the same. Then specify the Amount from each matter.
   • Payment date: Enter the date of the payment. You cannot enter a future date in this field. If you need to future-date the payment, instead use a trust request. See Requesting Payment for a Third Party from the Trust (or Client) Account for help.
   • Reason for payment: Select a reason for the payment. If the reason isn't listed, click Other and specify the reason. If the reason will be used multiple times in the future, click Create new template and save the reason as a template.
   • Pay to: Choose who the payment is being made to. You can select any party on the matter, another contact record (if in Actionstep) or Other.
   • Requested by: Choose who requested the payment.
   • Payment method: Choose the payment method and complete any additional fields based on your selection.

3. Optionally, click Please select a file next to Files to upload to upload and include a document with the transaction.

   TIP:  It's a good idea to upload the invoice or request for payment directly to the transaction. This can assist an auditor as they audit your transactions.

4. Optionally, select Create another payment if you need to create a new payment after you save this one.
5. Click Save to save your changes.

Exporting Trust Payments in Bulk

You can view and export your trust payments in bulk. The transaction list (with all the details you've specified) is exported as a CSV file, which you can then review and share with your bank.

To do this:

1. In Practice Management, go to Trust > Payments > Payments List.
2. Apply any filters or sorting options you need.
3. Once the list is as you expect, click the More drop-down list, and choose Export.

You can then review and share the file with your bank.

Updated June 04, 2026 14:08