Yes, for earned fees and payment plans. GoHighLevel can send an invoice from a template by email or text with a pay link, and its Send Recurring Invoice action can bill a payment plan on a schedule for Stripe connected accounts. The bottom line: use it for the payment step, and keep hourly time entries and trust accounting in the firm's practice management system, because a CRM invoice is not a substitute for a detailed legal bill.
What fits GoHighLevel invoices
| Use | Fit |
|---|---|
| Flat fee installments | Good: fixed amounts on a schedule |
| Monthly payment plan on a fee already earned | Good: recurring invoice with a failed payment alert |
| Court costs and filing fee reimbursement | Good: itemized invoice with a pay link |
| Hourly bills with time entries | Weak: send the practice management invoice, and use the CRM only to deliver the payment link |
| Trust replenishment | Depends on the state and the processor |
Model Rule 1.5(b) asks lawyers to communicate the basis of the fee and expenses, and fee disputes are a steady source of complaints: Massachusetts bar counsel's 2016 report lists fee violations at 14 percent of the most common allegations. A clear invoice with a stated due date and a plain way to pay reduces confusion, and detail on request should come from the time records.
Where the money goes
The routing rules in our retainer guide apply. Payments of earned fees by card are generally accepted under ABA Formal Opinion 00 419 and state opinions, and Minnesota's rules say that when funds are not for trust they go to the business account. Do not use an invoice link for an advance retainer unless the firm has settled how the funds reach trust.
Build it in GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel's recurring invoice help page says the action needs an invoice template under Payments, then Invoices, and a connected gateway, is supported for Stripe connected sub accounts, stores the card only after the first invoice is paid manually, and works with a Payment Failed trigger to retry and notify.
- Create invoice templates for the firm's common items: installment, costs reimbursement, and payment plan.
- Send the first invoice from the contact record and have the client pay it manually, which stores the card.
- Build a workflow with the Send Recurring Invoice action on the payment plan schedule.
- Build a workflow with the Payment Received trigger that tags the client Paid this month and sends a receipt.
- Build a workflow with the Payment Failed trigger that texts the client a link to update the card and creates a task for billing.
- Add a reminder 3 days before each due date, and stop it if the tag Paid this month is present.
Payment options compared
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One time invoice with a pay link | The client pays the full amount by card or bank | Costs reimbursement and small balances |
| Installment invoices sent by hand | The firm creates each invoice | Two or three payments |
| Recurring invoice on a schedule | The action bills the stored card each month | Longer payment plans |
Whatever the option, the payment plan should be in the signed fee agreement, so the client knows the amount, the dates, and what happens if a payment fails. Rule 1.5(b) asks lawyers to communicate the basis of the fee and expenses, and a plan that appears only in a workflow is not communicated. Before recurring billing tools, firms sent a monthly statement and hoped for a check. That worked until the check was late, and then a paralegal made a call. A stored card and a failed payment alert replace the call for most clients.
Worked example
For example, if 30 clients are on $500 monthly payment plans, the firm bills $15,000 a month (30 times 500). If 10 percent of cards fail, that is 3 failures a month (30 times 0.1), and the alert catches each one the same day.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a CRM invoice for hourly time detail. Send the billing system invoice.
- Sending pay links for unearned funds without a trust plan. Settle routing first.
- No failed payment alert. Add the trigger.
- Vague descriptions. State what each amount is for.
How this was handled before
Firms mailed invoices and waited for checks, then added online portals from legal billing vendors. A CRM invoice is a lighter tool that suits fixed amounts and payment plans, while time detail stays where the time entries live.
What to measure after launch
Track invoices sent, invoices paid on time, failed payments, and days to payment. If failures are frequent, add a reminder before each due date.
Check before you switch it on
US text messages sent from a standard 10 digit number need A2P 10DLC registration. The HighLevel support portal says registration is required for texts to US recipients from 10 digit long code numbers and that toll free numbers do not require it. HighLevel's opt in guidelines also say a person cannot be forced to agree to text messages in order to submit a form, so keep the consent box optional. One compliance guide separates informational texts, which need documented consent, from marketing texts, which need prior express written consent. Ask your attorney which category your reminders fall into. Confirm your state's rules on billing statements and on passing card processing fees to clients. This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Can GoHighLevel bill a payment plan?
Its Send Recurring Invoice action can, for Stripe connected accounts, once the first invoice is paid manually to store the card.
Should hourly bills be sent from the CRM?
No. Send the practice management invoice with time entries, and use the CRM to deliver the payment link.
What happens if a card fails?
A Payment Failed trigger can retry or notify the client, according to GoHighLevel's help page.
Ready to try it yourself? Start a GoHighLevel account here.
You can also see this in action in our GoHighLevel capabilities demo.