Paymaster services
A neutral attorney trust account between payer and beneficiary
The firm acts as paymaster and escrow agent: receiving transaction funds, holding them in trust, verifying the agreed release conditions, and disbursing by wire to every beneficiary named in the agreement. The role is neutral — the firm acts on the written terms, not on the instruction of whichever party calls first.
How it works
The engagement, step by step
- 01
Initial contact
You share the essential details of your transaction with our office by phone, email or secure form. If the engagement is not appropriate for a paymaster arrangement, we say so at this stage.
- 02
Personal engagement
We establish direct, personal communication and issue the governing Attorney Paymaster Agreement along with all required addenda — parties, beneficiaries, amounts, release conditions and fees.
- 03
Due diligence
Federal and international anti-money-laundering standards require a complete legal and tax due diligence review of every transaction before funds may move.
- 04
Trust account opening
Once the advance fee and due diligence are complete, your dedicated Attorney Paymaster Trust Account is opened — typically within 24–48 hours. Incoming wires are confirmed in writing and posted to the transaction's sub-ledger.
- 05
Disbursement
Funds are released strictly according to the terms of your purchase agreement, with every identity and detail held in confidence. Each disbursement is recorded with date, amount, method, reference and status for review in the secure portal.
Industries served
Where a paymaster is typically used
Any transaction where funds must be held by someone with no economic interest in the outcome.
Real estate closings
Purchase funds, deposits and settlement proceeds held and distributed to sellers, brokers and lienholders at closing.
Commodities & precious metals
Buyer funds held pending inspection, assay or delivery confirmation on gold, metals and other commodity trades.
Cross-border commercial deals
A neutral U.S. attorney trust account for counterparties in different jurisdictions who need funds held outside either party's control.
Business sales & M&A
Deposits, purchase price and holdback amounts held pending completion of conditions precedent.
Commissions & intermediary fees
Multi-party commission splits paid from a single closing, each recipient recorded separately.
Settlements & judgments
Settlement proceeds received and allocated among counsel, lienholders and claimants.
Trust accounts & security
Safeguards on every engagement
Wire fraud and trust-accounting errors are the two real risks in this work. These controls exist to address both.
Segregated trust funds
Client funds are held in an attorney trust (IOLTA) account and are never commingled with the firm's operating funds.
Written release conditions
Disbursements follow the instructions in the signed paymaster agreement. Verbal or emailed changes are confirmed before action.
Beneficiary verification
Banking details are verified through an independent channel to reduce the risk of wire-fraud interception.
Reconciled sub-ledgers
Each transaction carries its own sub-ledger, reconciled against the account balance so an out-of-balance condition is visible immediately.
Access by invitation
Portal access is granted per transaction. Parties see the wires on their own transaction and nothing else.
Regulatory reporting
The firm observes applicable federal reporting and anti-money-laundering obligations relating to large cash and wire activity.