> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.outboundlegal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Retainers: send for e-signature

> Send a new client's retainer from OutboundLegal. They sign on their phone by text or email, and the signed copy comes back to you.

<Info>
  **Early access.** If you don't see **Retainers** under **Marketing** in the sidebar, email [support@outboundlegal.com](mailto:support@outboundlegal.com) and we'll turn it on.
</Info>

Send a client their retainer while you're still on the phone with them. They get a link by text, email or both, and sign on their phone. When they sign, the signed copy (with a signature record page) is saved, they're added to your [Clients list](/help/clients), and you get an email.

## How it works, start to finish

1. You upload your retainer once, as a Word file.
2. From a client or a prospect, you click **Send retainer…**, check who signs, and choose **Email**, **Text** or **Email and text**.
3. The client gets a message from our e-signature service with your firm's name and a link. They open it, review the retainer and sign.
4. You see each step on **Marketing → Retainers**: **Sent**, **Opened**, **Signed**.
5. When it's signed, you get an email, the signed copy is ready to download, and the person is in your Clients list.

## Upload your retainer

1. Go to **Marketing → Retainers** and click **Upload retainer**.
2. **Name** it, for example "Auto accident retainer".
3. Choose who it's for:
   * **An adult client**: the client signs.
   * **A minor**: a parent or guardian signs on the minor's behalf.
4. Choose your Word file (**.docx**, up to 10 MB) and click **Upload**.

**Don't add signature lines.** We add a signature page at the end of every retainer: signature, printed name and date. For a minor's retainer, the page says the parent or guardian signs on the minor's behalf.

### Merge fields

Put these in your Word file, in double braces, and we fill them in for each client:

| Field | What it becomes |
| - | - |
| `{{prospect_first_name}}` `{{prospect_last_name}}` | The client's name (for a minor's retainer, the minor) |
| `{{prospect_email}}` `{{prospect_phone}}` | The client's email and phone, if you entered them |
| `{{custodian_first_name}}` `{{custodian_last_name}}` | The parent or guardian (minor's retainers) |
| `{{custodian_relationship}}` | How they're related, such as "mother" |
| `{{contingent_fee_pct}}` | The fee you type when sending, such as "33 1/3%" |
| `{{date_text}}` | Today's date, written out |

Spell them exactly as shown. If a field is misspelled, sending stops with a message and nothing goes out.

## Send a retainer

You can send from either place:

* **Marketing → Clients**: click the signature icon on the client's row.
* **A county's Prospects list**: open the row menu (⋮) and click **Send retainer…**.

Then:

1. Pick the **Retainer**.
2. Check the **name**. For a minor's retainer, enter the minor's name, then the **parent or guardian** who signs and how they're related.
3. Enter the signer's **email** and/or **mobile** number.
4. Optional: the **Contingent fee**, if your retainer uses `{{contingent_fee_pct}}`.
5. Choose **Send by**: **Email**, **Text**, or **Email and text**.
6. Click **Send**.

It takes a few seconds while we prepare the document. Nothing is sent if anything is wrong; you'll see what to fix.

## Sending by text: the client's OK comes first

Before a retainer can be texted, the client has to agree to receive the texts, and you record how they agreed. A phone number on its own isn't permission.

When you choose **Text**, the dialog shows what the client needs to agree to. In short: your firm will text them a link to sign and reminders until it's signed; the texts come from our e-signature service; how often varies; message and data rates may apply; they can reply STOP; and texting is optional, since you can email instead.

Read it to them (or send it to them), and once they say yes, click **They agreed: record it** and fill in:

* **How they agreed**: on a recorded phone call, in writing, or in person.
* **Date**.
* **Call link, recording or note**: something that lets you find the proof later.

You only record it once per phone number. The next retainer to that number shows **Consent to texts is on file**.

<Note>
  **If a client replies STOP**, that number can't get e-signature texts anymore, from you or anyone else using the service. The retainer shows **Replied STOP to texts**; click **Resend by email** to send a fresh copy by email.
</Note>

The text comes from our e-signature service and starts with "SignWell:", then names your firm. Emails show your firm's name as the sender.

## Track, remind, void

**Marketing → Retainers** lists everything you've sent. Click **Details** on any row to see each step with its time, and to:

* **Send reminder**: nudges the signer by the same channel (text, email or both). Reminders also go out on their own until it's signed or expires.
* **Resend by email**: after a text couldn't be delivered, the client replied STOP, or the retainer expired. This voids the old link and sends a new copy.
* **Check status**: asks for the latest right away (the page also updates itself).
* **Void**: cancels the retainer; the link stops working.
* **Signed copy**: downloads the signed PDF with its signature record page.

A retainer expires after **30 days** if it isn't signed.

## When it's signed

* The status changes to **Signed** and you get an email.
* The signed copy is stored privately; only your account can download it.
* The person is added to your **Clients list**. If you sent it from a client, it's linked to that client. If you sent it from a prospect, the new client is linked to the prospect. If they might already be on your list but we can't tell for sure (for example, the same name with a different address), we don't add a duplicate; the retainer says so, and you can add or fix them on the Clients page.

## Questions

**Can my teammates send retainers?** Not yet. In this first version, the account owner sends them.

**Does the client need an account?** No. They just open the link.

**Can I change the email or number after sending?** No. Void it and send a new one.


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