System and method for up front billing of interest costs to law firm clients

Abstract

A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs. According to various example embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein, without limitation, method and apparatus are provided to monitor or make payments for a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm, to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of financing a loan or other service to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs. In another example embodiment, the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

1 . Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is determined at least in substantial part as a function of the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on a cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is determined at least in substantial part as a function of the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.  
     
     
         31 . Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on a cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         34 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         37 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         38 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         39 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         40 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.  
     
     
         41 . A method comprising: a law firm arranging to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 41  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.  
     
     
         51 . A method comprising: a law firm arranging to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 51  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.  
     
     
         61 . A method comprising: a law firm paying a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 61  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 61  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         64 . A method according to  claim 61  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         65 . A method according to  claim 61  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         66 . A method according to  claim 61  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         67 . A method according to  claim 61  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         68 . A method according to  claim 61  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         69 . A method comprising: a law firm paying a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         70 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         71 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         75 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         77 . A method according to  claim 69  further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket expense.