Applying a payment (funding the retainer)

Overview

A retainer is funded when its invoice is paid — either by the client online or by you recording the payment.

Option A: The client pays online

1. Hover the retainer row → share icon → Send to Client or Copy client link.

2. The client opens the link and pays by card or ACH through your connected processor.

Option B: Record the payment yourself

1. Hover the retainer row and click + → Record a payment.

2. Check Retainer Total, Balance Due and After This Payment.

3. Choose the method — Credit Card, Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Cash, Other or Apply Credit. (Apply Retainer isn't offered: a retainer can't pay a retainer.)

4. Enter the amount and date and click Record payment.

What happens next?

• The retainer shows Total, Received, Disbursed and Balance (Received − Disbursed) in the project's retainer panel.

• Statuses move from Draft / Awaiting payment through Open, Partially Disbursed, Fully Disbursed and Closed.

Important limitations

• In our testing, a new Draft retainer's Record payment dialog showed a balance due of $0 and wouldn't accept an amount. If this happens, mark it as sent (quick view → More → Mark as sent) and try again, or contact support.

Related articles

• Creating a retainer

• Applying a retainer to an invoice