Matters
Create your first matter
Once the workspace is set up, create your first matter. You make three choices: a name, an account template, and tags.
Watch the walkthrough: Creating a new matter, 3 minutes. The video predates some changes to the app. Where they differ, follow this page.
Steps
- Go to the matters list and click Create Matter.
- Enter a Matter Name.
- Under Account Template, pick the template that fits the matter. This choice appears only when the workspace has templates.
- Under Tags, click the tags that apply.
- Click Create Matter.
The new matter opens on its Accounts tab.
If the button reads Choose a Plan, the workspace needs a plan first. See Plans, trials, and current matters.
Choose a name
Adopt one naming convention for the whole firm. Two common ones:
- Last name, first name, then the matter type. For example, Anderson, James Estate or Smith Family Trust. The matters list sorts by name, so this puts matters in order by the decedent's last name.
- Estate of, then the name. For example, Estate of James Anderson.
Either works. Search matches any part of a name, so you can find a matter by any word in it. Each name must be unique in the workspace.
Choose a template
A template copies a saved chart of accounts into the new matter. If your firm has one for this kind of matter, such as a probate template, use it.
A new workspace has no templates. For your first matter, create the matter without one and build its chart of accounts by hand or with Chart of Accounts AI. Then save that chart as a template so you do not have to build it again. See Plan your chart of accounts.
Choose tags
Tag the matter the way your firm sorts its work. A common set is the responsible attorney, the responsible paralegal, and the type of matter. To add a tag that does not exist yet, click Add Tag, type a name, and press Enter.