Georgia IOLTA Compliance: Trust Account Rules & Requirements
Complete guide to Georgia's IOLTA compliance requirements. Covers reconciliation rules, record retention periods, overdraft notification requirements, and how Disbo automates compliance for Georgia law firms under Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15.
Reconciliation
Monthly
Record Retention
6 years
Overdraft Notice
Required
Interest Remittance
IOLTA Program
Georgia IOLTA Requirements at a Glance
Key trust account rules under Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15
| Requirement | Georgia Rule |
|---|---|
| Reconciliation Frequency | Monthly three-way reconciliation |
| Record Retention Period | 6 years |
| Overdraft Notification | Required — bank overdraft notification to State Bar of Georgia |
| Interest Remittance | To Georgia Legal Services Program / IOLTA program |
| Governing Rule | Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15 |
| Client Ledger | Required — individual ledger per matter |
Source: Georgia Bar Association · Georgia IOLTA Program
Georgia IOLTA Key Requirements
- Monthly three-way reconciliation required
- Separate client ledger required for each client matter
- State Bar of Georgia overdraft notification required
- IOLTA accounts at approved financial institutions
- 6-year retention of all trust records
Georgia IOLTA Note
Georgia's IOLTA program supports legal aid throughout the state. The State Bar of Georgia requires strict monthly reconciliation and 6-year record retention. Personal injury firms handling large settlement disbursements face heightened scrutiny.
Common IOLTA Violations in Georgia
These are the most frequently cited IOLTA violations for Georgia law firms. Each one can trigger bar discipline — and each is preventable with the right software.
- Missing individual client matter ledgers
- Failure to complete monthly three-way reconciliation
- Commingling client and operating funds
- Disbursing funds before proceeds are cleared
- Insufficient 6-year record retention
How Disbo Keeps Your Georgia Firm IOLTA Compliant
Disbo's rules engine applies Georgia's specific IOLTA requirements — including Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15 — automatically to every trust account transaction. Stop managing compliance manually. Let Disbo enforce the rules so your team can focus on clients.
Negative Balance Prevention
Disbo blocks any disbursement that would overdraw a client's trust balance — eliminating the #1 IOLTA violation in Georgia.
Automated Three-Way Reconciliation
Continuous reconciliation runs behind the scenes. Monthly reconciliation records are generated automatically and stored for 6 years.
One-Click Audit Package
If the Georgia Bar initiates an audit, generate a complete audit package — ledgers, reconciliation reports, disbursement records — in under 60 seconds.
6 years Immutable Audit Trail
Every trust account event is timestamped, logged, and retained for 6 years — meeting Georgia's retention requirement automatically.
Monthly Reconciliation Status
Bank Balance
$124,500
Trust Ledger
$124,500
Client Totals
$124,500
Recent Trust Activity
Smith v. Acme
Settlement Receipt
Smith v. Acme
Attorney Fees
Smith v. Acme
Medical Lien Payment
Jones Matter
Settlement Receipt
Georgia IOLTA Compliance FAQ
What rule governs IOLTA trust accounts in Georgia?
Georgia IOLTA trust accounts are governed by Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15. This rule sets the requirements for reconciliation frequency, record retention, client ledger maintenance, overdraft notification, and interest remittance to the Georgia IOLTA program.
How often must Georgia attorneys reconcile their IOLTA accounts?
Georgia attorneys must complete a three-way reconciliation of their IOLTA trust accounts monthly. Three-way reconciliation compares the bank statement balance, the trust account ledger balance, and the sum of all individual client ledger balances — all three must match.
How long must Georgia attorneys retain IOLTA records?
Georgia attorneys must retain all IOLTA trust account records — including bank statements, client ledgers, reconciliation reports, and disbursement documentation — for 6 years under Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15. Disbo retains all records automatically for the required period.
What happens if a Georgia IOLTA account is overdrawn?
Required — bank overdraft notification to State Bar of Georgia. An overdraft notification triggers a disciplinary review process. Attorneys must ensure sufficient cleared funds are in the trust account before any disbursement. Disbo blocks transactions that would create a negative balance before they process.
Where does Georgia IOLTA interest go?
To Georgia Legal Services Program / IOLTA program. These funds support civil legal aid programs for low-income residents throughout Georgia. All IOLTA accounts must be at approved financial institutions that forward interest to the Georgia IOLTA program.
See How Disbo Keeps Your Georgia Firm Compliant
Stop managing Georgia IOLTA compliance with spreadsheets. Disbo enforces Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15 automatically — negative balance prevention, three-way reconciliation, and audit-ready records built in from day one.
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