Managing Payouts
Blawby uses Stripe Connect for payouts. You don't enter routing or account numbers in Blawby — you connect Blawby to Stripe, Stripe handles bank linking and identity verification, and the connected account is what receives your payouts.
This page covers how to set that up, how trust routing works on top of it, and how to monitor payout timing.
Setting up payouts
Use the two-checkpoint flow in your Blawby dashboard.
Checkpoint 1 — Link your bank to Stripe
- Open Settings → Payments.
- Click Connect Stripe.
- You're redirected to Stripe's hosted onboarding. Complete:
- Business type, EIN, and registered address.
- Beneficial-owner / representative details.
- The bank account you want payouts to land in.
- On completion, you're redirected back to Blawby. Checkpoint 1 shows Linked.
Checkpoint 2 — Charges enabled
Stripe verifies your business and identity in the background. For most firms this clears in minutes; occasionally Stripe asks for additional documents (an ID, a business registration). When approved, the second checkpoint shows Charges enabled, and you can collect payments.
If charges stay pending, open the Stripe dashboard from the Blawby link — Stripe will list anything still needed. The Blawby checkpoint clears automatically once Stripe approves.
Read Accept Your First Payment for the full Stripe Connect walkthrough.
How trust routing works on top of Stripe
If your firm holds unearned client funds (retainers, settlement deposits, court-fee deposits), configure trust routing in Settings → Payments → Trust routing:
- Trust-eligible payments route in full to your trust account. Blawby never deducts fees from those dollars.
- Processing and platform fees are charged separately to a card you link to your operating account.
This is the structural difference between Blawby and a generic processor: with Blawby, the gross amount lands in trust; with most processors, fees are netted before deposit.
For more on the compliance model, see IOLTA Compliance Guide.
Payout schedule
Stripe pays out on these defaults for new connected accounts:
- Card payments — typically 2 business days after settlement.
- ACH payments — typically 5 business days after settlement.
- First payout on a new account — often 7–14 days while Stripe completes risk review.
After your first few payouts, your schedule normalizes. You can adjust payout cadence (daily, weekly, monthly) directly in the Stripe dashboard.
Monitoring payouts
The Payouts view in Blawby shows recent payouts with date, amount, and status. Click through to the linked Stripe payout for the per-transaction breakdown. Anything Stripe knows is one click away.
Notifications fire on:
- Payout sent.
- Payout failed (e.g., bank account closed).
- Stripe requested additional documentation.
Troubleshooting
Charges stuck in pending. Stripe is reviewing documents. The Stripe dashboard will list what's needed. Resolve there; the Blawby checkpoint clears automatically.
A payout failed. Most common cause: bank account closed or routing changed. Update bank details in the Stripe dashboard. Stripe automatically retries failed payouts.
The amount paid out doesn't match what I expect. Stripe's payout reports break down per-transaction. Refunds, chargebacks, and disputed amounts are netted from payouts; the report shows each.
A specific transaction didn't pay out. Check the matter or invoice the payment was tied to. ACH settlement takes a few business days; high-risk transactions may be held briefly by Stripe.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I configure my bank account?
Through Stripe Connect, not in Blawby directly. Settings → Payments → Connect Stripe sends you to Stripe's hosted onboarding. Update bank details later from the Stripe dashboard.
Do I have to use a trust account?
Not unless your firm holds unearned client funds. If you do, configure trust routing — required for IOLTA compliance.
Are processing fees deducted from client payments?
Not from trust-eligible payments. Trust dollars deposit in full; fees are billed separately to your operating-account card.
How fast are payouts?
T+2 for cards, T+5 for ACH on established accounts. New accounts: 7–14 days for the first payout, then normal schedule.
Can I update my payout account later?
Yes — directly in the Stripe dashboard. Blawby reads the connected account; any change in Stripe takes effect immediately.
Ready to set up payouts? Register for Blawby or contact support.