Guide
How to collect mediation fees online
Chasing unpaid mediation fees by phone is awkward and slow. Online payment requests give parties a clear path to pay before session day, while keeping funds in your practice Stripe Connect account, not on a platform balance. Taxes, card methods, and payout timing depend on your practice jurisdiction and Stripe setup—this guide covers splits, single payers, step-by-step requests, and honest limits.
General information only, not legal advice, mediation advice, or a substitute for professional judgment. Neutly is administrative software for mediator practices; it does not host live video or select court neutrals. Mediators and lawyers remain responsible for their work.
Updated
Why collect fees online before session day?
Unpaid fees are one of the most common sources of last-minute stress. When payment is unclear, parties arrive under-prepared and you start the session with admin tension.
Online requests make fee arrangements visible early. Parties know what they owe, pay on their own time, and you see status on the matter record, not in a scattered inbox.
Stripe Connect, money goes to your practice
Neutly uses Stripe Connect so party session fees go directly to your practice. The platform never holds client funds. Platform subscription (Solo or Practice) is billed separately from party fee collection.
- Connect your Stripe account in Account settings
- Send payment requests from the matter record
- Automatic reminders on outstanding balances
- Record manual or external payments when needed
Split fees, single payer, and custom amounts
Family and commercial matters rarely use a single default split. You may need equal shares, one party paying the full fee, or custom amounts reflecting agreement or referral arrangements.
- Equal split between principal disputants
- Custom amount per party
- Designate a single payer (common in commercial referrals)
- Mark fees paid by other means on the matter file
When to send payment requests
Many mediators request fees after all parties confirm participation and before session day. Neutly lets you send requests when your process requires, with reminders until paid or recorded.
Send a payment request step by step
Connect Stripe in Account settings once, then use the matter record for each case. You choose amounts, splits, and when to send—Neutly tracks status for staff without a separate payments spreadsheet.
- Open the matter and confirm fee arrangement (split, single payer, or custom amounts)
- Send payment requests to the relevant parties from the matter record
- Parties pay via secure links without a Neutly login; funds route to your Connect account
- Use automatic reminders on outstanding balances until paid or manually recorded
- Mark external or trust payments on the matter when card checkout is not used
Handling outstanding payments
Outstanding fees should be visible on the matter before session day, not buried in email threads. Staff can see who has paid, who is overdue, and whether reminders have gone out.
If a party cannot pay by card, record the payment by other means on the matter file so your ledger stays accurate. For post-session hourly or corporate billing, see commercial invoicing on the Practice plan.
Processing fees, currencies, and honest limits
Card processing fees are set by Stripe according to your Connect country and pricing, not by Neutly. Platform subscription (Solo or Practice) is billed separately from party fee collection.
Neutly does not provide legal or tax advice on fee agreements. Trust billing and funder workflows may need manual recording outside standard card payments. Supported currencies and payout countries follow your Stripe Connect configuration.