Legal Clients in Canada Expect Modern Digital Payment Options
Legal Clients in Canada Expect Modern Digital Payment Options Hero


Legal clients want the same payment convenience as anywhere else.

They expect the same easy, digital payment options they use everywhere, from tap-and-go cards to online checkouts. Law firms that offer these easy payment options keep clients happy and referrals rolling in. In fact, 60% of clients prefer hiring a lawyer who accepts credit or debit cards. This shift isn’t just about convenience; it also means demonstrating professionalism, respecting clients’ time and keeping the firm’s cash flow healthy.

Legal clients expect convenient payment options

Modern legal clients expect to pay quickly and hassle-free. Surveys confirm this preference: Almost half of clients prefer to pay legal bills by credit card, while only about 20% prefer to pay by cheque. Digital payments have become the norm in Canada, no matter the industry.

Accepting multiple payment methods isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for good client service. Busy clients appreciate it when they can pay online by credit card or via a secure link instead of sending a cheque. Offering credit card, debit and e-Transfer payments demonstrates professionalism and shows that your firm values its clients’ time and security. Law firms with modern payment options also demonstrate efficiency, client focus and that they’re easy to do business with. This ensures your clients have a positive experience with your firm from the start.

Outdated payment practices cost law firms time and client trust

Slow payment processes create friction for legal practices. Here are some ways outdated payment methods hurt law firms:

  1. Slow payments hurt cash flow: Traditional invoices and cheques delay payments. Small businesses in Canada typically receive payments over six days past due on average, and law firms often wait up to 90 days for invoices to be paid. Law firms need payments to clear as soon as possible for salaries, rent and other expenses.
  2. Chasing payments wastes valuable time: Lawyers and admin staff waste hours tracking down late payments, reconciling accounts and depositing cheques. Over half of Canadian financial decision-makers say they spend too much time on transactional tasks—time that could be spent on growing the business instead. For law firms, every hour wasted on sending reminders or fixing billing issues is an unbillable hour.
  3. Outdated options make the firm look unprofessional: Law firms that only accept cash or cheques look outdated and unreliable. But fortunately, that’s an easy problem to solve. Simple digital payment options signal competence, efficiency and reliability.

Modern payment methods help your law firm succeed. They reduce payment delays and administrative overhead, keeping your clients happy and less frustrated. When clients experience little friction when it comes time to settle up, they feel confident doing business with you—and they’ll be more likely to refer you to others.

In fact, nearly 74% of businesses in Canada plan to phase out the use of cheques and adopt more modern payment methods within five years for these reasons. For legal practices, modernizing payments isn’t just about technology—it’s about building trust and investing in your firm’s continued growth and success.

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Digital payments boost cash flow and client satisfaction

Digital payment options help you modernize your law firm. Online and card payment options improve client satisfaction and boost your bottom line. That said, offering digital payment options comes with several other key benefits.

Faster payments and healthier cash flow

Digital payment solutions help law firms get paid faster. When clients can pay instantly by credit card or Interac e-Transfer, you don’t have to wait for cheques to clear or mail to be delivered. In fact, 57% of electronic invoices are paid the same day they’re issued, and 85% are paid within one week—a significant improvement over traditional, slower methods of payment. Faster payments mean getting paid on time, allowing your firm to accrue more billable hours instead of collecting debts.

Greater convenience leads to happier clients

Clients love it when you make their lives easier—and accepting modern payment methods is a great place to start. They can settle their bill quickly and easily using whatever payment method they prefer, including debit or credit card, online portals or a secure payment link.

Legal clients appreciate having modern payment options because it eases their already elevated stress levels. Plus, since it’s simpler to pay digitally, clients always pay on time because they won’t have a chance to stall or forget. A smooth payment experience reflects well on your firm’s overall service, showing you understand your clients’ needs and value their time.

Efficiency and reduced administrative burden

Modern payment systems make your clients happier—and your law firm more efficient. Accepting electronic payments means most of your billing workflow can be automated or streamlined. For example, online payment platforms can automatically send receipts, update accounting records and sync with practice management software. This reduces manual data entry and human error.

Additionally, staff won’t need to prepare as many paper invoices or spend time processing cash and cheque payments. Electronic payments also provide immediate confirmation and clear records, simplifying reconciliation.

Secure, seamless payment experiences build client trust and loyalty

Every positive experience a client has with your law firm contributes to their overall trust in your practice. Part of building that trust includes providing simple payment experiences. When payments are handled in a secure and seamless way, it reinforces the client’s confidence that your firm is professional and reliable.

That said, security is crucial when processing payments in law firms. Since clients share sensitive data, their data needs to be protected. Modern payment solutions come with built-in safeguards like encryption, tokenization and fraud detection, which protect data far better than cheques or credit card forms that get sent by email.

Cheques can also be lost or tampered with, while digital payments are protected by multiple layers of security. Offering these secure options demonstrates that you take your clients’ privacy seriously.

A seamless payment process also increases client loyalty by removing points of friction. For example, clicking a secure link or using their preferred card or digital wallet creates a positive impression and eliminates a common source of frustration. Law firms that prioritize easy, secure payments demonstrate respect for their clients’ time.

Partnering with a reputable payment provider that focuses on secure, seamless payments is an investment in your firm’s reputation. It shows reliability, instills confidence and helps build lasting client relationships—and Moneris has your back.

Moneris solutions for modern legal payments

Moneris helps Canadian law firms modernize their payment processes to benefit both the practice and its clients. Our payment solutions allow firms to accept all major payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, Interac e-Transfers and mobile wallet payments, ensuring clients can pay however they prefer.

With Moneris, law firms can easily set up online payment pages, send digital invoices and even accept in-person payments via compact, client-friendly terminals. These flexible options make it simple for law firms of any size to deliver a frictionless, digital payment experience that today’s clients expect.

Security and reliability are at the heart of our approach. Moneris technology uses strong encryption and fraud prevention to protect client data at every step. We also understand the unique needs of professional services for compliance and record-keeping. Our tools integrate with popular accounting and practice management systems to automatically track payments and reduce manual work.

Law firms that partner with Moneris deliver faster, more secure transactions than any other payment processor—all backed by 24/7 support. This all means you get paid faster by improving your cash flow, and you leave clients feeling confident and cared for. Let us handle your payments so you can deliver more billable hours without wasting time on administrative billing tasks.

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FAQs

Key takeaways

  1. Clients expect law firms to offer modern, fast and simple digital payment options.
  2. Digital billing speeds up payments and improves your firm’s professional reputation.
  3. Digital payments enable law firms to receive payments faster, reduce overdue invoices and alleviate administrative strain.
  4. Secure, user-friendly payment options protect client data and strengthen long-term trust in your firm.
  5. Law firms that make it easy to pay build customer loyalty and financial stability.

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Moneris Team

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Moneris is a leading provider of payment processing solutions in Canada. Our blog is your go-to resource for insights into the ever-evolving world of payments. We cover everything from the latest industry trends and technologies to practical advice for businesses of all sizes. Our blog's mission is to spotlight small businesses and provide resources that help them succeed in today's economy. Blog articles are written by members of Moneris' in-house marketing team with support from internal product and industry experts.

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