Free Legal Invoice Template Invoice Template
A free legal invoice template for attorneys and law firms, available in Word, Excel, PDF, and Google Docs. Formatted with billable-hour entries, matter numbers, retainer trust accounting, and the disbursement lines legal billing requires.
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| Description | Qty | Unit price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney time — legal research and analysis | 2.5 | $350.00 | $875.00 |
| Attorney time — client conference / strategy | 1.5 | $350.00 | $525.00 |
| Paralegal time — document preparation | 3 | $150.00 | $450.00 |
| Court filing fees (disbursement) | 1 | $435.00 | $435.00 |
| Courier and certified mailing costs | 1 | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Subtotal | $2,345.00 | ||
| Sales tax (8%) | $187.60 | ||
| Total | $2,532.60 | ||
Example figures — every field is editable in the download.
Who uses this template
- ✓Solo practitioner attorneys
- ✓Small and mid-size law firms
- ✓Paralegals and legal assistants billing
- ✓Of-counsel and contract attorneys
- ✓Legal consultants and mediators
What to include
- ✓Client and matter/case number
- ✓Itemized time entries with task descriptions
- ✓Attorney vs. paralegal hourly rates
- ✓Disbursements and filing fees (costs advanced)
- ✓Retainer/trust balance applied and remaining
- ✓Billing period covered
- ✓Payment terms and trust account replenishment notice
Available in 5 formats
Word (.docx)
Fully editable in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages and LibreOffice — best for quick text edits.
Excel (.xlsx)
Line totals, subtotal and tax calculate automatically — best if you want the math done for you.
A clean, print-ready, fixed layout — best for emailing a finished invoice to a client.
Google Docs / Sheets
Open in your browser, then File → Make a copy to edit and share with your team.
Invoicing tips for legal invoice template
- ✓ Use precise task-based time entries ("draft motion to dismiss," not "legal work") — clients and auditors expect itemized narratives.
- ✓ Separate fees from disbursements so advanced costs like filing fees are clearly reimbursable and not confused with your hourly rate.
- ✓ Show the retainer/trust balance, amounts drawn, and remaining funds to stay compliant with trust accounting rules.
- ✓ Bill in tenth-of-an-hour increments (0.1 = 6 minutes) and round consistently across the matter.
- ✓ Reference the engagement letter terms and include a notice when the trust balance needs replenishing.
Legal Invoice Template invoice FAQ
How do attorneys bill time on invoices?
Most firms bill in 0.1-hour (6-minute) increments with a short task narrative for each entry. List attorney and paralegal time separately at their respective rates.
What's the difference between fees and disbursements?
Fees are your billable time; disbursements (or costs) are out-of-pocket expenses advanced on the client's behalf — filing fees, deposition transcripts, courier charges. Keep them on separate lines.
How do I show a retainer on a legal invoice?
List the trust/retainer balance at the start of the period, the amount applied to this invoice, and the remaining balance, then note if replenishment is required. This keeps you compliant with trust accounting rules.
Do attorneys charge sales tax?
Legal services are exempt from sales tax in most states. A handful tax certain services — confirm with your state bar guidance and revenue department before adding tax.
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