Parties
Identify client(s) and attorney(s) by legal name and capacity; include business formation details for entities.
A clear retainer documents the client–attorney relationship, reduces disputes over scope and fees, and provides evidence of consent and authority for filings, settlements, or transfers during dissolution proceedings.
The retainer is used by parties and counsel in both family-law dissolutions and business-entity dissolutions; it clarifies responsibilities before substantive filings begin.
Use a retainer before substantive work starts to preserve client protections and document the scope of representation.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Template | Create a reusable retainer template with mandatory fields and initial prompts. |
| Conditional Fields | Show fee or exhibit fields only when applicable to the selected matter type. |
| Signer Authentication | Require email verification, SMS code, or advanced authentication for higher-risk matters. |
| Retention Settings | Enable automatic retention policies and export to secure archives. |
Choose a platform that supports legal e-signatures, audit trails, and secure storage while matching your integrations and authentication needs.
Ensure the platform permits audit-trail export and long-term archival to meet retention and evidentiary needs.
Identify client(s) and attorney(s) by legal name and capacity; include business formation details for entities.
List specific services such as filings, negotiations, discovery, and appeals; exclude unrelated matters.
Specify retainer amount, hourly rates, billing intervals, and expenses eligible for reimbursement.
State whether counsel may sign stipulations, accept service, or engage other professionals on the client's behalf.
Describe conditions for withdrawal, client termination, and final accounting of trust funds.
Name the state law that governs the retainer and the venue for disputes or arbitration.
Provide executed copies as PDF/A and DOCX for archiving and court filings, preserving visible signature images and audit metadata.
Attach corporate records, trust instruments, marriage certificates, and prior agreements that affect dissolution terms.
Record transmission receipts and filing confirmations to maintain proof of notice and submission.
Include timestamps, IP addresses, signer emails, and authentication steps in the document history.
Request initial documents within 7–14 days of engagement.
Deposit due upon signing to begin substantive work.
Attorney to file pleadings as agreed or per statutory time frames.
Set monthly or milestone invoicing dates in the retainer.
Preserve executed retainer and related files per retention policy.
Signed retainer and funds received; intake completed and matter opened.
Counsel reviews documents, identifies claims, and sets litigation or settlement strategy.
Prepare and submit required court or Secretary of State filings and preserve proof of submission.
Implement settlement, wind up assets, and provide final accounting to client.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes (premium tiers) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies | Varies | Varies |