New Matter Onboarding
- 1Web inquiry triggers a conflict check form
- 2Once cleared, a booking link with payment is sent
- 3Signed engagement letter triggers a new client portal invite
- 4Automated request for initial discovery documents is sent
Systems for Family Law
Modern Systems for Compassionate Family Law Firms
Family law firms earn their income through billable hours and flat-fee retainers for domestic relations matters. Revenue leaks occur during tedious manual intake, unbilled document review, and high friction in collecting sensitive evidence from emotional clients.
Professional Services
- Automated Conflict Checking
- Secure Client Evidence Portal
- Consultation Prepayments
- Milestone SMS Updates
- Retainer Replenishment Alerts
How the business actually works
How the work flows, start to finish.
- 01
Inquiry
A potential client seeking counsel for divorce or custody reaches out via phone or web.
- 02
Conflict Check
The firm verifies opposing party names to ensure ethical compliance before proceeding.
- 03
Consultation
The attorney meets with the client to discuss the case merits and fee structure.
- 04
Retainer
The engagement letter is signed and the initial trust deposit is secured.
- 05
Discovery
The firm collects financial affidavits, tax returns, and evidence through a secure portal.
- 06
Litigation
Pleadings are filed and motions are managed through the legal lifecycle.
- 07
Mediation
Alternative dispute resolution is attempted to reach a settlement agreement.
- 08
Decree
The final judgment is entered and the case file is formally closed.
Where it leaks
Common problems for family law firms.
01
Intake Bottlenecks
Paralegals spend too much time chasing initial consultation fees and basic intake forms. This delays the conflict check and prevents the firm from securing the retainer quickly.
02
Evidence Fragmentation
Clients often send sensitive text messages and financial documents across multiple insecure channels. Organizing these records for discovery becomes a massive unbillable administrative burden.
03
Emotional Scope Creep
Clients frequently call for emotional support rather than legal counsel, leading to unbillable time. Without clear boundaries and automated status updates, attorneys become overwhelmed by non-legal inquiries.
04
Retainer Depletion
Firms often continue work after a trust balance has been exhausted. Failing to prompt the client for a replenishment results in significant collections issues at the end of the case.
05
Missed Consultations
High no-show rates for initial consultations waste the attorney time that could be spent on billable case work. Lack of automated reminders results in empty calendar slots that cannot be recovered.
What LATTICE can build
Systems built around how you work.
Automated Conflict Checking
Standardize the intake form to capture all necessary names for immediate conflict of interest screening.
Secure Client Evidence Portal
Provide a private link where clients can upload financial affidavits and sensitive media directly into their case folder.
Consultation Prepayments
Require a consultation fee at the time of booking to ensure only serious litigants take up the attorney calendar.
Milestone SMS Updates
Send automatic text alerts when pleadings are filed or court dates are set to reduce repetitive status calls.
Retainer Replenishment Alerts
Trigger automated emails when a client trust balance falls below a specific threshold to ensure continuous funding.
AI Intake Receptionist
Screen new inquiries 24/7 to determine if the matter is a family law issue and book the consultation immediately.
Document Follow-Up Sequences
Automate reminders for clients to submit their mandatory disclosures and tax returns for discovery.
Example systems
What it looks like in practice.
Mediation Preparation
- 1Mediation date is entered into the system
- 2Client receives a prep checklist via email
- 3Automated reminder for the final settlement proposal
- 4Post-mediation survey sent to evaluate the process
Trust Account Management
- 1System monitors the available retainer balance
- 2Threshold breach triggers an automated replenishment request
- 3Follow-up reminders sent every three days until paid
- 4Attorney notified when funds are secured to resume work
Have a different problem?
Tell us what's slowing the business down. LATTICE can build around the way your business operates.
Questions from family law firms
How can automation help with sensitive divorce cases?
Automation handles the repetitive administrative tasks like document collection and appointment reminders. This allows your team to focus on the high-level legal strategy and client support that requires a human touch.
Can we secure consultation fees before a meeting?
Yes, the system can require a credit card payment at the time of booking. This drastically reduces no-shows and ensures your time is compensated from the very first interaction.
How does the system manage discovery documents?
We provide a secure portal where clients can upload files directly. You can set automated reminders that stop only when the client has submitted every required item for their financial affidavit.
Will this help reduce the number of status calls from clients?
By sending automated updates at key milestones, such as when a motion is filed, clients feel informed without needing to call your office. This keeps your paralegals focused on drafting rather than answering the phone.
Can the intake process screen for the right types of cases?
The digital intake forms can be customized to filter by matter type, location, and urgency. This ensures your attorneys only spend time reviewing cases that fit your firm's specific practice areas.