Tip #136 - Enter and track Distribution Checks automatically on the Settlement Screen

Did you know that you can have SmartAdvocate automatically populate all distribution checks in the Negotiation/Settlement Screen?

After a settlement has been entered, you can have SmartAdvocate populate a list of the distribution checks, including case expenses, liens, medical bills and attorney’s fees. Here’s how:

[All entries are made on the Negotiation/Settlement Screen]

First, enter the settlement amount (Add Settlement).

Next, enter the settlement check(s) once received (Add Check)

If you are entering multiple settlement checks at the same time, you can use the ‘Save and Add Another.’
The settlement check(s) will now be displayed on the Settlement Screen.

To have all distribution checks automatically populated, click the ‘Add All Distribution Checks’ button. (You can manually add distribution checks individually by clicking the ‘Add Check’ button and then selecting the ‘Distribution Check’ option on the resulting screen).

The checks are all populated and will have the ‘Hold’ status by default.

You can edit each check and change the status individually or select multiple checks and change the statuses in bulk.

Please note that the total amounts shown on the Settlement Screen (Disbursements, Medical Bills, Liens, etc.) are pulled from the respective pages in the case. The Distribution Checks, as populated in the example above, will list these amounts individually. If the ‘default’ totals are manually modified on the Settlement Screen, the system will show the one entry with the manually entered amount rather than individual Distribution Checks for that item. For example, if there are two individual liens, one for $1200 and another for $550.00 entered in the case, the totals liens shown on the Settlement Screen would be $1750. Both checks with the individual payees will be populated on the Distribution Check list. If the $1750 is edited on the Settlement Screen (and changed to $1755 for example) the Distribution Check list will no longer list the checks and payees individually, but will show one Distribution Check in the total amount $1755 and the payee field will be blank.

Please note also that you can have all distribution checks listed in your Settlement Statement or Settlement Memorandum using an appropriate Document Template.