a lawyer talking with a client and a credit card stand on the desk
  1. The Helcim Blog
  2. Merchant Guides

Credit Card Processing for Lawyers

Author Image

Danny Randell | July 18, 2021

“A quick guide on how your law firm can accept compliant credit card payments. Integrate custom tailored payments solutions for your law firm.”
4 min read
  • Content

    Lawyer Life Isn't For Everyone

    In your day-to-day, there's lots that can go wrong. Your client might miss a signature and delay proceedings, or maybe you forgot your court gowns at the office-either way, there's a lot of variables at play when it comes to practicing law, and you don't want sorting out payments to be one of them. You need a processor you can rely on, that's going to give you the tools you need to get paid-and get paid quick.

    You work too hard to not have your credit card processing work for you. It wasn't easy for you to get where you are, and while we won't pretend we know what it's like to open a law office, it wasn't very long ago that Helcim started out with just two people and a dream. We know what it's like to run a small business, which is why we do everything we can to make it easy for our merchants to get paid, including giving you some of the cheapest rates in the industry and access to our expert Merchant Experience team for when you need a hand.

    It's time to feel good about your payments

    Invoicing Designed With Lawyers in Mind

    Sometimes legal service means dealing with clients who are suffering from some heavy circumstances. You need a payment solution that allows you to be sensitive to your clients needs whilst ensuring you still get paid. In an instance like this, rather than asking your clients to pay on the spot, you can just send them an invoice that's payable from the comfort of their home.

    Helcim's online invoicing allows you to send payment due reminders via email or text and includes a "Pay Now" button that makes it simple for customers to submit their credit card information in just a few clicks. This tool can even be customized to reflect your branding, and be updated with various fields depending on what information you need from your client. That's how payments can be convenient for you, and sensitive to your clients needs. That's Better Payments.

    Over the Phone Payments for Law Offices

    You may be the one handling payments or you may have a staff member that helps with this. Either way, the chances are that you could be accepting payments over the phone, and luckily, it's never been easier!

    Now with our virtual terminal, you can take your clients' credit card information and plug it straight in to a secure, virtual point-of-sale to process a payment. You can even use it on whatever device you like, whether that's a desktop computer, tablet, or even your smartphone.

    Our virtual terminal is unique in that you can pair our card reader to take payments in a traditional manner, or use it completely on it's own (on your phone for instance) and take your payments on the go. The virtual terminal can also be a relatively inexpensive way to get started in accepting payments if you're in the process of opening your first office and don't want to front the cost of a card reader right away.

    Professional In-Person Payments

    You maintain a professional image and service, why not pair your work with a card reader that's just as polished? Helcim also offers a sleek, modern card reader that helps elevate your customer's over the counter payment experience. Helcim's card reader is lightweight, portable, and connects via bluetooth or USB to your desktop or mobile phone. It's definitely an upgrade on a clunky old school terminal, and yet it's familiar look will be instantly recognizable to your customers and present them with a comfortable in-person payment option. They can tap or insert their card and be on their way in a flash!

    Trust vs. Operating Bank Accounts

    The main compliance concern that attorneys and paralegals must address when accepting credit and debit card payments is the proper separation of funds. Unearned income, such as retainers, must be deposited to a trust account, while earned income must be deposited to the firm's operating bank account. When accepting credit card payments, you need a payments company that allows you to deposit funds to the appropriate account based on the payment type. With Helcim, legal firms can do just that.

    Security Standards for Law Office Card Processing

    Having a payments company that can encrypt and tokenize your customer/client payment information not only reduces your exposure to both industry and PCI payment compliance standards, but also shifts your liability for the storage of customer data to your processor. With Helcim, once you have your client's card information, you can store it securely in our credit card vault to bill later, making recurring payments a breeze.

    Your client's card number never touches your system, but is still accessible to you via the payments portal. By using our card vault, you can easily bill your client intermittently for ongoing work, and they never need to come in again to make payments. It's a seamless way to square up that gives you and your client more time back in your day.

    Helcim: Made for Lawyers

    At Helcim, we make it easier for you to run your business. We give you everything you need to operate efficiently, along with some of the lowest rates in the industry and a customer support team that is out of this world. If you want to know more about how Helcim was built with lawyers in mind, give us a call. We'd love to be your trusted payments partner!

    "I have had an excellent experience with Helcim so far! Their fees are the lowest available and they have top-notch customer service."

    "“ Amalia Schon, Lawyer and Helcim Merchant

    Resources

    Below are links on rules and regulations for credit and debit card payments for lawyers and paralegals:

    It's time to feel good about your payments.

    Sign up instantly with no paperwork or commitments.

    Call to action background version 2 image

    Service with a :)

    We're always willing to help.

    New to accepting card payments? We take the time to help you understand how it all works so you can make the best decisions for your business.

    • Speak to a real person, fast
    • Experts you can trust
    • No commission = no pressure
    Show more

    Have us contact you.

    Contact name cannot be blank
    Business name cannot be blank
    Please provide a valid email address
    Phone number cannot be blank

    The form was sent successfully!