| name | track-deposits |
| title | Forensic Deposit Tracking |
| description | Traces deposits from receipt through disbursement across bank statements and financial records, producing transaction matrices, fund-flow timelines, and evidentiary chains of custody. Flags structuring, commingling, trust account violations, and unexplained gaps. Use when tracking deposits, tracing funds, auditing trust accounts, or analyzing bank statements during discovery. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/track-deposits |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | general |
| practice | finance |
| language | en |
Forensic Deposit Tracking
Traces every dollar from deposit to final disbursement, producing a defensible evidentiary record for expert testimony, settlement negotiation, or regulatory proceedings.
Prerequisites
Gather before starting:
- Bank statements — all accounts, all relevant periods, no gaps
- Transaction registers — internal ledgers, check registers, reconciliation reports
- Supporting documents — wire confirmations, check images, ACH records, invoices
- Governing documents — retainer agreements, settlement agreements, court orders, fee arrangements
- Matter timeline — key dates (filing, settlement, deadlines, statutes of limitation)
Workflow
1. Extract Deposits
For every deposit, capture: date, exact amount, source/payor, receiving account (name + number), reference (check #, wire confirmation, ACH trace, memo), and method (check, wire, ACH, cash, other).
2. Screen for Red Flags
Flag deposits matching any pattern:
3. Trace Forward
For each deposit, trace funds through: holding (static in account), internal transfers (same institution), external transfers (wire/ACH out), and disbursements (paid to third parties).
For each disbursement, capture: disbursement date + clearing date, payee, exact amount, method with confirmation details, purpose (from memo/invoice/settlement/authorization), and governing document authorizing payment.
Classify disbursements as: client payments, third-party payments on client's behalf, operating account transfers, case expense payments, or other (specify).
4. Build Lifecycle Timeline
For each deposit, construct: Deposit → Holding → Transfer/Withdrawal → Final Disbursement or Current Status. Cross-reference against governing documents to establish authorization.
