Home / Industries / Law Firms
13-week cash flow forecasting for law firms

Settlements are lumpy. Salaries aren't.

Firms with strong books of business still hit cash crunches: contingency fees land months late, case costs go out the door today, and partner draws don't wait. We forecast operating cash weekly — and never touch trust funds.

Book an intro call

The cash problem in law firms

  • Contingency settlements arrive in unpredictable, six-figure lumps — and everyone mentally spends them twice.
  • Case costs advanced (experts, filing, depositions) are cash out now, reimbursed many months later.
  • Associate salaries, rent, and malpractice premiums are relentless whether collections were good or bad.
  • Partner draws get taken when cash looks flush — right before the quarterly tax payment lands.
Non-negotiable ground rule: IOLTA and trust balances are never counted as firm cash in our forecasts. We model operating cash only — retainers count when earned, not when deposited.

Every Monday you'll see whether the firm can fund the next quarter's cases, draws, and payroll — before committing to any of them.

Cash in — what we forecast

  • Hourly & flat-fee collections, by expected date
  • Contingency settlements — dated conservatively
  • Retainer replenishments as they're earned
  • Client cost reimbursements

Cash out — what we track

  • Attorney & staff salaries, benefits, payroll taxes
  • Partner draws — scheduled, not impulsive
  • Case costs advanced, tracked separately
  • Malpractice & insurance premiums
  • Rent, technology & research subscriptions
  • Quarterly taxes

What you get every week

The Monday call

15–30 minutes. Your numbers, already prepared. We confirm what's landing, what slipped, and the one decision this week needs.

The report

Current position, 13-week outlook, what's spiking and why — with tight weeks flagged in red while there's still time to act.

A straight answer

"Can we take the job?" "Should we draw on the line?" You get a number-backed answer, not a shrug.

Plans from $500/month. See pricing.

Get started

Talk to us before your next tight week

A 20-minute intro call. We look at your situation, tell you honestly whether weekly forecasting will pay for itself, and show you a live example.

Book a call

Pick a time that works. This is the fastest path.

Schedule now

Email

We reply within one business day.

walter@thirteenweeks.io

Urgent cash issue?

Existing clients and time-sensitive situations.

(801) 724-1563