How to Open an IOLTA Account

If an attorney determines that he or she must maintain an IOLTA account, the following steps should be taken to open the account:

1. The attorney must place IOLTA accounts at eligible financial institutions—those that pay on IOLTA interest rates comparable to rates paid to similarly situated, non-IOLTA customers. For more information, visit the Choose a Bank/Credit Union section.

2. Attorneys may not open IOLTA accounts at non-participating institutions. Non-participating institutions may contact Janice Cappiello for a bank code and packet of instructions and forms to begin the eligibility process.

3. The attorney must open an interest-bearing IOLTA account in his or her or the law firm’s name and with the Texas Access to Justice Foundation’s tax identification number. The Foundation will pay reasonable service charges on the IOLTA account. However, the Foundation does not pay for checks, wire transfers or other business expenses associated with the account.

4. The attorney and financial institution must complete the IOLTA Notice to Financial Institution form at the bank and return it to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation via fax at 512.469.0112, or mail to P.O. Box 12886, Austin, Texas 78711-2886.


Unclaimed Property: If an attorney or law firm has unclaimed property (the person to whom the funds belong is unknown or cannot be located) in an IOLTA account, refer to Texas Property Code chapters 72 and 74 for instructions on how to handle disbursing these funds.

For more information on how to open an IOLTA account, please contact Joyce Lindsey, Associate Director.

Recent News

 

July 20, 2010

Texas Rep. Pete P. Gallego Honored with Texas Access to Justice Legislative Hero Award

June 30, 2010

New booklet "A Lawyer's Guide to Client Trust Accounts" created by Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel helps address common questions.

May 11, 2010

Tyler Banks Recognized for Supporting Legal Services to the Poor

May 5, 2010

Texas Access to Justice Commission Raises Funds for Legal Services for Veterans

Apr. 27, 2010

League of Women Voters of Texas Receives Star of Justice Award for Access to Justice Efforts

Apr. 19, 2010

Access to Justice Commission Hosts Gala Benefiting Legal Services for Veterans

Apr. 13, 2010

"Going it Alone" an article on self-represented litigants on TexasTribune.org

Apr. 8, 2010

A blog post on Dallas Morning News about the Forum on self-represented litigants

Apr. 5, 2010

An op-ed by Chief Justice Jefferson & Commission Chair Reasoner on self-represented litigants appears in the Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Houston Chronicle

Mar. 30, 2010

First Texas Forum on Self-Represented Litigants and the Courts to be held April 8-9 in Dallas

Mar. 12, 2010

Chief Justice Jefferson names Justice Hecht as new Foundation liaison

 

More news

© 2010 Texas Access to Justice Foundation