The Combine Matters check box is defined for a matter on the Statement Options tab of the Client file. The Combine Matters option determines whether a Total Balance Due for all matters will print after the last matter on a combined statement. When printing PDF statements to Tabs3 DropBox or the Email Statements window, this option also determines whether a single PDF file will be created for all matters of a single client, or a separate PDF file will be created for each matter.

When this option is selected, you can customize Tabs3 Billing to begin statements for multiple matters at the end of the previous matter or on a new page using the Blank lines between combine statements option in Statement Customization. When matters are combined, the page number sequence does not start over for each matter.

The portion of the Client ID to the left of the decimal is used in checking for clients. For example, Client IDs 100.01, 100.02 and 100.03 are considered matters of client 100.00. When statements are printed for matters 100.01, 100.02 and 100.03 and the Combine Matters check box is selected for all matters, then statements with continuously numbered pages will be printed as opposed to the statements for 100.02 and 100.03 beginning on a new page 1 for both statements. Furthermore, a grand total for all three matters (Total Balance Due) will be printed following matter 100.03. All of the statements included in the combined statement will share a single statement number.

Tip: Select a Detail or Summary Cover Statement option if you also want a separate page that summarizes the totals for each matter included with the statement.

Select this check box if you want Tabs3 Billing to generate statements with continuously numbered pages for clients that have multiple matters, and also include a Total Balance Due for all matters at the end of the statement. Selecting this option will insert a single PDF file that includes statements for all matters into a single email when using the Email Statements program. The Blank lines between combine statements option in Statement Customization determines how many blank lines or whether a new page will print between each combined matter.

Clear this check box if you want statements printed for clients with multiple matters to have no Total Balance Due printed at the end of the statement. Each matter's statement will begin on a new page and start with Page 1. Each matter set up to receive Email Statements will generate a separate PDF statement and a separate email in the Email Statements window.

The Sample Report Pack contains an example of a statement printed using the Combine Matters option.

Notes Regarding Combine Matters

The "Total Balance Due" terminology can be changed on Line 38 in Statement Customization.

When Combine Matters is selected, the Statement Delivery method will be decided by the last matter in the series. For example, client matters 100.00 and 100.01 are set up for mail only delivery, while client matter 100.02 is set up for email only delivery. Since Combine Matters is selected for all matters for this client and 100.02 is the last matter, this client's statement will be delivered via email only.

When emailing statements, if you want a single PDF file for a matter and its cover statements, the following settings must be used:

When using the Combine Matters option, all matters for a client should have their Combine Matters check box selected. Otherwise, unexpected breaks and totaling may occur if one or more matters have this check box cleared.

When printing statements, if the Sort Order is set to Primary, Secondary, or Originating Timekeeper and the timekeepers assigned to the matters are not the same, the statements will not be combined.

This option is not available for matters that have a Cover Statement option of Individual Detail or Individual Summary specified. For example, let's say a client has multiple matters that all have the Combine Matters check box selected and a Cover Statement of Detail specified. However the third matter has a Cover Statement of Individual Detail specified. In this case, the first two matters will be combined and a Total Balance Due will be printed for those matters followed by a detail cover statement for those two matters. Then, a statement for the third matter will be printed followed by a cover statement for the third matter only.

When the Work Description field is used in the statement designer heading, the work description is not printed in the statement body; instead it is printed as part of the statement header. When using the Combine Matters option for multiple matters, only the work description for the main client will be printed on the statement. If you want the work description to print for each matter when using the Combine Matter option for multiple matters, do not use the work description in the statement designer heading.

When the Combine Matters check box is selected, Ending Statement Template Notes will print directly following the body of the statement instead of at the bottom of the page.

The Combine Matters feature is not available when reprinting statements.

Note: For information on how Cover Statements and the Combine Matters option affect the order of printing, visit Article R11466 - Statement Printing Order.

Note: When exporting a combined statement using Tabs3 Taskbill, transactions for all matters on the statement will be included in the export file.

See also:   How PDF File Names are Assigned
  Knowledge Base Article R11501 - Troubleshooting Combine Matters and Cover Statements in Tabs3 Billing