Trust Accounts and Bank Failures: What You Need to Know
Recent bank failures have caused concerns for lawyers holding client funds in their trust accounts. Many of our insureds have contacted Lawyers Mutual to ask questions about their ethical and malpractice exposure and any steps that they can take to protect themselves and their clients. Read More +
Counterfeit Check Scams Are Still Snaring Lawyers
Tips to avoid falling for counterfeit check scams, which are on the rise again. Read More +
New Developments in Wire Fraud – The Sham Closing
A new issue in wire fraud regarding a fake sale. Read More +
What Happens in a Wire Fraud Scenario
Description of events that occurred during a wire fraud situation. Read More +
Have your Trust Accounts Been Audited by the State Bar? What’s Next?
Information regarding handling an audit by the NC State Bar of your trust account. Read More +
Fraud Prevention: Be Wary of Communications
Tips for avoiding wire fraud via questionable communications. Read More +
Lawyers Beware: Trust Account Audit Scam
Lawyers Mutual discusses the recent trust account audit scam with the North Carolina State Bar. Read More +
It’s Time to Start the Annual Escheat Process for your Attorney Trust Account
Information regarding escheating processes and upcoming deadlines. Read More +
New N.C. Supreme Court Rules for Trust Accounting
A review of the new trust accounting rules. Read More +
Are you Babysitting Your Trust Bank Accounts?
Tips to help you make sure your trust account is in compliance with NC State Bar regulations. Read More +
New Mandatory Trust CLE Hour Available Online
Information about the free online trust account CLE offered from the NC State Bar and NCBA to meet the new requirement. Read More +
Coming to Terms (and into Compliance) with the Trust Accounting Rule Amendments
Information regarding the new trust account amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Read More +
Trust Account Maintenance
Trust Account Maintenance is an ongoing job. Below are 5 steps to assist with that process. Step 1: Review all outstanding checks. This must be done before you can truly evaluate the client ledger balances. A ledger with a $0.00 balance listing checks that have not cleared the bank is a prob… Read More +
Tips About The Trust Account: Proper Endorsement
We have all read articles about disciplinary action being taken against an attorney where the cause was listed as “clerical errors”. We envision an unorganized desk, and a bookkeeper shopping online, or chatting on Facebook. I know from experience that is not typically the case.&#… Read More +
Frauds and Scams that Target Lawyer Trust Accounts
The State Bar continues to receive reports of frauds and scams on lawyer trust accounts resulting in six-figure losses. The three major types of scams are 1) Email initiated counterfeit bank checks 2) Forged trust account checks, and 3) Compromised wire instructions. The following is a brief s… Read More +
Client’s Guide to Understanding a Lawyer’s Trust Account
Have you found yourself stuck or at a loss for words when trying to explain your trust account to clients? Especially trying to explain the trust account in terms your clients will understand (i.e., non legalese talk)? As lawyers, you have lots of resources and CLE’s available to you to help … Read More +
Trust Account Basics: Tips for Keeping Your Records in Top Shape
Answers to questions that will help your trust account records pass to a NC State Bar audit. Read More +
How to Perform a Quarterly Trust Reconciliation
Steps to properly manage the State Bar's quarterly trust account reconciliation Read More +
20 Questions for Your Trust Account
Checklist questionnaire to help improve management of your trust account Read More +
Tips About The Trust Account: Handling Outstanding Checks
Information to make sure your trust account balances when checks are outstanding Read More +
