Goal
Register a direct-to-client payment in Debitura so the case reflects the correct outstanding balance, then collect your success fee from the client. This happens in two stages: you record the payment now, and you mark your commission as paid later, once the client has actually settled your invoice.
When this applies
A direct payment scenario occurs when:
The debtor bypasses you and pays the client directly
Local regulations prohibit you from receiving debtor payments (for example, in India or Bangladesh)
For the standard flow where the debtor pays you directly, see report a recovered payment.
Prerequisites
The case is in Active, Paused, or Needs Additional Details status
The client has confirmed the payment amount they received
Record the direct payment
Do this as soon as the client tells you the debtor has paid them.
Open the case. Go to Cases Received and select the relevant case.
Open the Add Payment modal. Click the "Add Payment" button on the case detail page.
Select the payment recipient. Under "Who received the payment?", choose "The debtor paid the client directly".
Enter the payment details.
Payment amount: the total amount the client received from the debtor
Creditor amount: the portion belonging to the client (principal and any interest/fees owed to them)
Collection partner amount: your success fee plus any regulatory fees you are entitled to
The system validates that Creditor amount + Collection partner amount equals the payment amount.
Save the payment. Click "Save Changes". The system creates a Payment record and a Payout record. The case remainder updates automatically.
Invoice the client. Send an invoice to the client outside of Debitura for your success fee plus any applicable fees. The client must pay this invoice according to the payment terms in the Standard Debt Collection Agreement.
đ Non-Exclusive Partners
Non-Exclusive (Legal Network) partners follow the same steps. The key difference is that you set your own pricing when quoting on the case, so your success fee may differ from standard SDCA rates. Invoice the client for the agreed fee from your accepted quote.
Mark your commission as paid (once the client settles)
This is a separate return trip, not the last step of the same sitting. When you record a direct-to-client payment, the commission status starts as "Unpaid": the payment is registered, but you have not yet received your share from the client. Come back and update it only once the client has actually settled your invoice.
Open the case. Go to Cases Received and select the case.
Open the payment. In the Economical overview, under Debtor Payments, click the registered payment. The Edit Payment window opens.
Confirm the recipient. Check that "Who received the payment?" is still set to "The debtor paid the client directly".
Mark the commission as paid. Under "Has the client paid your share?", select "Yes (Paid)".
Save. Click "Save Changes".
Do not mark the commission as paid until you have actually received the money. Debitura only includes its revenue share in the monthly platform invoice once the commission status is "Paid".
If the client has not paid yet: "No (Unpaid)"
Leave "Has the client paid your share?" set to "No (Unpaid)". This status does not affect the payment record or the case balance. It only tracks whether you have collected your fee from the client. While it stays Unpaid, the platform chases it for you:
Day 0: A task is created ("Unpaid commission - invoice [Client]") with a 20 business day deadline.
Day 30: First reminder email sent to you.
Day 40: Second reminder email plus an escalation task ("Chase payment & start collection").
If the client still does not pay after these reminders, you have two options. You can escalate to collection and create a debt collection case against the client, starting from the same Edit Payment window - see how to recover an unpaid commission from your client. Alternatively, you can write off the commission by contacting Debitura support to have it marked as "Credited". A write-off stops collection workflows while keeping accurate financial records.
Result
After completing these steps:
The payment and payout are recorded in your Partner Balance ledger
The case remainder reflects the reduced outstanding amount
Once you mark the commission as paid, Debitura includes its revenue share in the next monthly platform invoice
If the full debt has been recovered, you can close the case with the "Paid" close code. If only a partial payment was made, use "Partially Paid" or continue collection. See Case close codes for guidance.
Edge cases
Partial payments
If the client received only part of the debt, register the partial payment using the same steps. The case remainder updates and collection can continue for the outstanding balance. You can register multiple payments as funds arrive.
Client disputes your invoice
A dispute is different from non-payment. If the client questions your fee calculation, refer to the success fee terms in your agreement. For Exclusive partners, the Standard Debt Collection Agreement defines the applicable rates. Resolve disputes through the Communication Center on the case before considering escalation.
Related
Payments, payouts & invoicing - how money moves between debtor, client, and collector
Partner billing to Debitura - understanding the monthly reconciliation process