What are invoice flows?
When a client submits a case, Debitura's routing system determines which collection partner should handle it. The assigned partner (or lack of one) and the partner's response determine which of three flows the case follows. Each flow defines the path from case creation through validation to active collection, including when and how pricing is agreed upon.
The three flows are:
Flow A: Standard pre-legal - an exclusive partner is assigned and accepts the case under standard terms from the Standard Debt Collection Agreement (SDCA).
Flow B: Custom quote (exclusive) - an exclusive partner is assigned but requests custom pricing instead of standard terms.
Flow C: Network distribution - no exclusive partner is available, or the assigned partner declines. The case is distributed to multiple partners who submit competing quotes.
Why it matters
The invoice flow determines the pricing model, the timeline, and the level of choice each actor has. Clients benefit from understanding which flow their case is following because it affects how quickly collection begins and whether they will need to review and select a quote. Collection partners benefit because each flow has different obligations and entry points. Debitura uses these flows to balance speed (standard terms) with flexibility (custom quotes and competitive bidding).
What determines the flow
Two factors decide which flow a case follows:
Is there an exclusive pre-legal partner available? Debitura's routing system evaluates partner matching rules (geographic coverage, claim amount, debtor type) to find an eligible exclusive partner. If a match exists, the case is assigned to that partner at creation.
What does the partner do? The assigned partner reviews the case and can accept it, request more information, request custom pricing, or decline it.
Flow A: Standard pre-legal
This is the most common flow. An exclusive partner is assigned at case creation based on matching rules. After Debitura validates the case (moving it from internal review to partner review), the partner reviews it and either accepts or requests additional details.
When the partner accepts the case, it moves to Active status and the partner begins pre-legal debt collection under the terms of the SDCA. An exclusive collection period of 6 months begins from the Collection Period Start Date — the earlier of (a) the date the partner accepts or begins work, or (b) the date of submission if all required information was provided. During this period, only that partner works on the case.
If the partner requests additional details, the client is asked to provide more documentation. Once provided, the partner can accept the case or close it.
For a complete breakdown of all case statuses and transitions, see case lifecycle.
Flow B: Custom quote (exclusive)
Sometimes a case does not fit the standard SDCA pricing (for example, a disputed claim or an unusual claim type). In this situation, the assigned exclusive partner can choose to offer custom terms instead of accepting at standard rates.
When the partner initiates a custom quote, the system creates an exclusive quote request: only that partner can submit a quote. The partner then submits a quote with custom pricing (which may include a flat fee, hourly rate, success fee, or a combination). The client reviews the quote and can accept or decline it. If the client accepts, the case moves to Active status and collection begins under the agreed custom terms.
For more on how custom pricing works, see custom quotes.
Flow C: Network distribution
This flow is triggered in two scenarios:
No partner match at creation: if no exclusive partner's matching rules cover the case's jurisdiction, claim amount, or debtor type, the system automatically distributes the case to the partner network.
Partner declines: if the assigned exclusive partner declines the case and the client's settings allow network distribution, the system removes the partner assignment and distributes the case to the partner network. (If the client has disabled network distribution, the case is closed instead.)
In network distribution, multiple collection partners who match the case criteria receive an invitation to submit a competitive quote. Partners submit quotes with their proposed pricing and approach. Quotes are collected for up to 120 business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00) or until the expected number of quotes is received, whichever comes first.
The client then reviews the submitted quotes and selects a winner. The winning partner is assigned to the case, which moves to Active status. Collection begins under the terms of the accepted quote.
Decision summary
Flow | Partner at creation | Partner action | Pricing |
A: Standard pre-legal | Exclusive partner assigned | Accepts or requests more information | Standard SDCA terms |
B: Custom quote | Exclusive partner assigned | Requests custom pricing | Custom terms proposed by partner, accepted by client |
C: Network distribution | No partner assigned, or partner declines | Multiple partners bid | Competitive quotes from network partners |
Impact by actor
Client
In Flow A, no action is required beyond submitting the case (unless the partner requests additional details). Collection begins automatically under standard terms.
In Flow B, the client receives a custom quote and must review and accept it before collection begins.
In Flow C, the client receives multiple quotes from different partners and selects the best option. This introduces a selection step but provides competitive pricing.
Clients track all cases from the Cases list in the Client Portal.
Collection Partner
In Flow A, the exclusive partner reviews and accepts the case from the Cases Received list. Work begins under standard SDCA terms with a 6-month exclusive collection period.
In Flow B, the exclusive partner submits a custom quote. If the client accepts, the partner works under those custom terms.
In Flow C, network partners receive invitations and submit competitive quotes. Only partners whose matching rules cover the case are invited. A partner that wins the bid is assigned the case and begins collection.
Debitura
Debitura validates each case before it reaches a partner, regardless of the flow.
The routing system automatically determines the initial flow based on partner matching rules and creditor configuration.
If an exclusive partner declines a case, Debitura either distributes it to the network or closes it, depending on the client's settings.
What to expect
Most cases follow Flow A (standard pre-legal), where collection starts quickly after partner acceptance. Flow B adds a quote negotiation step, and Flow C adds a competitive bidding period. Regardless of the flow, Debitura handles case validation and partner routing automatically. Once a case reaches Active status, the financial mechanics of payments, payouts, and invoicing are the same across all flows.
For an overview of the legal agreements that govern these flows, see contracts and signatures.