Billing and Invoicing Basics
Track billable hours, generate invoices, and manage client payments directly from Advocate CMS.
Last updated: April 2026
Managing Your Practice Finances
Tracking fees, generating invoices, and following up on payments takes time away from courtroom preparation. Advocate CMS makes billing part of your case workflow.
Setting Up Your Fee Structure
Hourly vs Fixed Fees
You can set different billing modes per case:
- **Fixed Fee** — a flat amount for the entire matter
- **Hourly Fee** — track time spent on appearances, drafting, and consultations
- **Retainer** — recurring billing for ongoing counsel relationships
How to Configure
1. Open the case details
2. Go to the **Billing** tab
3. Select the fee type and enter the amount
4. Add any advance payments received
Generating Invoices
Step-by-Step
1. Navigate to the case in your dashboard
2. Click **Generate Invoice** on the billing tab
3. Review the line items — advocacy hours, court appearance fees, filing charges
4. Add custom notes if needed (payment terms, late fee policy)
5. Send to client email or download as PDF
Invoice Includes
Every invoice shows:
- Your name and court details
- Client contact information
- Detailed breakdown of charges
- Payment status and history
Tracking Payments
Mark payments as received or partially paid. Outstanding invoices show prominently so you never lose track of what's owed.
Tax Considerations
Advocate CMS does not calculate GST automatically. Consult your CA for tax compliance. Use the notes field to record GST separately on each invoice.
Next Steps
- [Export case reports for client meetings](https://adcms.hikmotic.com/help-center/exporting-case-reports-for-clients)
- [Getting started with Advocate CMS](https://adcms.hikmotic.com/help-center/getting-started-advocate-cms)
- [Contact support](https://adcms.hikmotic.com/contact) with billing questions