CLIENT TRUST ACCOUNT LEDGER (IOLTA)

Account Information

Law Firm Name: [________________________________]

Trust Account Name: [________________________________]

Financial Institution: [________________________________]

Account Number: [________________________________]

Routing Number: [________________________________]

IOLTA Program: ☐ Yes ☐ No

Designated Licensee Name: [________________________________]

State Bar License Number: [________________________________]

Account Opening Date: [__/__/____]

Client/Matter Information

Client Name: [________________________________]

Matter Name/Description: [________________________________]

Matter Number: [________________________________]

Responsible Attorney: [________________________________]

Date Matter Opened: [__/__/____]

Date Matter Closed: [__/__/____]

Trust Account Ledger

Transaction Type Codes

Monthly Summary

Month/Year: [________________________________]

Trust Fund Sources

☐ Retainer/Advance Fee Deposit
☐ Settlement Funds
☐ Funds Held Pending Closing
☐ Court-Ordered Deposit
☐ Escrow Funds
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Disbursement Authorization Checklist

☐ Client authorization obtained (written)
☐ Funds have cleared the account
☐ Disbursement amount verified
☐ Payee information confirmed
☐ Sufficient funds available in client ledger
☐ Invoice/statement attached (if applicable)
☐ Third-party lien releases obtained (if applicable)

Required Record Retention

Per ABA Model Rules and most state bar rules, maintain the following records for a minimum of five (5) years after termination of the representation:

☐ Bank statements
☐ Canceled checks (front and back images)
☐ Deposit slips
☐ Wire transfer records
☐ Client ledger cards
☐ Monthly reconciliations
☐ Fee agreements
☐ Disbursement authorizations

Compliance Notes

IOLTA Requirements

1. Interest Remittance: Interest earned on IOLTA accounts is remitted to the state bar foundation/IOLTA program
2. Approved Institutions: IOLTA accounts must be maintained at approved financial institutions
3. Comparable Rates: Banks must pay interest rates comparable to non-IOLTA accounts
4. Overdraft Notification: Financial institution must agree to report overdrafts to the state bar

Prohibited Practices

☐ Never commingle personal/firm funds with client funds
☐ Never withdraw earned fees before billing and providing notice to client
☐ Never issue checks against uncollected funds
☐ Never use one client's funds for another client's matter

State-Specific Variations

California: Effective January 1, 2026, licensees must provide the name and State Bar license number of the "designated licensee" to the financial institution. Annual CTAPP reporting required by March 30.

New York: Attorneys must file biennial registration that includes trust account information. Part 1300 Rules require specific record-keeping.

Texas: State Bar Rule 1.15 requires monthly reconciliation. Interest on client funds that cannot reasonably be expected to earn interest for the client must be placed in IOLTA.

Florida: Florida Bar Rule 5-1.1 governs trust accounts. Random audits may be conducted by the Florida Bar.

Certification

I certify that this ledger accurately reflects all transactions for the above-referenced client matter and that all funds have been handled in compliance with applicable rules of professional conduct.

Attorney Signature: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Bar Number: [________________________________]

Sources and References

• ABA Model Rules on Client Trust Account Records
• California State Bar - Client Trust Accounting & IOLTA
• California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15