| name | iolta-manager |
| description | Development skill for CaseMark's IOLTA Manager application - a trust account
management system for law firms to maintain IOLTA compliance. Features client/matter
management, transaction tracking, trust holds, compliance reports, and audit trails.
Built with Next.js 15, PostgreSQL, Drizzle ORM, and Tailwind CSS. Use this skill when:
(1) Working on or extending the iolta-manager codebase, (2) Adding transaction or
accounting features, (3) Modifying the database schema, (4) Building compliance reports,
(5) Working with state-specific IOLTA rules, or (6) Implementing audit/security features.
|
IOLTA Manager Development Guide
A trust account management application for law firms to maintain IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) compliance—tracking client funds, generating reports, and maintaining proper records per state bar requirements.
Live site: https://iolta-manager.casedev.app/
Architecture
src/
├── app/
│ ├── api/ # API routes
│ │ ├── audit/ # Audit log endpoints
│ │ ├── clients/ # Client CRUD
│ │ ├── holds/ # Trust holds management
│ │ ├── matters/ # Matter management
│ │ ├── reports/ # Report generation
│ │ ├── settings/ # Firm settings
│ │ └── transactions/ # Transaction operations
│ ├── audit/ # Audit log page
│ ├── clients/ # Client pages
│ ├── holds/ # Holds management
│ ├── ledger/ # Transaction ledger
│ ├── matters/ # Matter pages
│ ├── reports/ # Reports page
│ └── settings/ # Settings page
├── components/
│ ├── holds/ # Hold-related components
│ ├── layout/ # Sidebar, navigation
│ ├── matters/ # Matter components
│ ├── reports/ # Report components
│ └── ui/ # Base UI components
├── db/
│ ├── index.ts # Database connection
│ └── schema.ts # Drizzle schema
└── lib/
├── audit.ts # Audit logging utilities
├── iolta-compliance.ts # State-specific rules
├── pdf-styles.ts # Report styling
└── utils.ts # General utilities
Core Workflow
Create Client → Create Matter → Record Transactions → Place Holds → Generate Reports
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Contact info Link to client Deposits/ Reserve funds Monthly,
stored assign number Disbursements prevent over- Reconciliation,
track balance disbursement Client Ledger
Tech Stack
| Layer | Technology |
|---|
| Frontend | Next.js 15 (App Router), React, Tailwind CSS |
| Backend | Next.js API Routes |
| Database | PostgreSQL + Drizzle ORM |
| Auth | NextAuth.js (demo mode) |
| PDF | React PDF |
| Icons | Lucide React |
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|
| Dashboard | Real-time trust balance, recent transactions, active matters |
| Client Management | Profiles, contact info, matter associations |
| Matter Management | Link to clients, matter numbers, status tracking |
| Transaction Tracking | Deposits, disbursements, running balances |
| Trust Holds | Reserve funds, track reasons, available balance |
| Compliance Reports | Monthly, three-way reconciliation, client ledger |
| Audit Trail | Log all actions for compliance documentation |
Database Operations
PostgreSQL with Drizzle ORM. See references/database-schema.md for complete schema.
Commands
npm run db:push
npm run db:generate
npm run db:studio
Core Tables
- clients: name, email, phone, address
- matters: clientId, name, matterNumber, status
- transactions: matterId, type, amount, date, payor/payee
- holds: matterId, amount, reason, status
- trustAccountSettings: firmName, state, bankInfo
- auditLog: action, entityType, entityId, details, timestamp
Development
Setup
npm install
cp .env.example .env.local
npm run db:push
npm run dev
Environment
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://... # PostgreSQL connection
NEXTAUTH_SECRET=... # Auth secret (required for prod)
NEXTAUTH_URL=http://localhost:3000
IOLTA Compliance
See references/iolta-compliance.md for state-specific rules.
Supported Jurisdictions
All 50 states + DC with specific rules for record retention (5-7 years) and reconciliation requirements (monthly).
Key Compliance Concepts
- Three-way reconciliation: Bank statement + client ledgers + trust register
- Trust holds: Prevent disbursement of reserved funds
- Audit trail: Document all actions for bar compliance
Report Types
See references/reporting.md for generation patterns.
| Report | Purpose |
|---|
| Monthly Trust Account | Period transactions, opening/closing balances |
| Three-Way Reconciliation | Bank vs ledger vs register comparison |
| Client Ledger | Per-client fund tracking, all matters |
Common Tasks
Adding a New Report Type
- Create report component in
components/reports/
- Add API endpoint in
app/api/reports/
- Add to report selector in
app/reports/page.tsx
- Style with
lib/pdf-styles.ts
Adding a New Transaction Type
- Update transaction type enum in
db/schema.ts
- Modify transaction form component
- Update balance calculations in API routes
- Add to audit logging
State Compliance Rules
export function getStateRules(state: string): IOLTARules {
}
Security Considerations
- Bank account numbers masked (last 4 digits only)
- Show/hide toggle for sensitive data
- Audit trail for all actions
- Role-based access (when auth enabled)
Demo vs Production
Currently ships in demo mode. For production:
- Implement proper NextAuth.js authentication
- Add user roles (admin, attorney, paralegal, readonly)
- Enable RBAC for transactions/reports
- Configure proper NEXTAUTH_SECRET
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|
| Balance mismatch | Check transaction types, verify holds |
| Report generation fails | Verify date range, check matter exists |
| Hold amount exceeds balance | Cannot hold more than available funds |
| Audit log missing entries | Check audit.ts is called in API routes |
