South Dakota Codified Laws 16-18-20.2. Attorney licensing–Trust accounting records and procedures
The provisions of this rule apply to all members of the State Bar of South Dakota concerning trust funds received or disbursed by them in the course of their professional practice of law within the State of South Dakota. However, these provisions shall not apply to (1) full–time members of the Judiciary, i.e., Supreme Court Justices, Circuit Court Judges and Magistrate Judges, (2) nonresident attorneys licensed to practice in South Dakota who comply with comparable trust accounting requirements in the state wherein they maintain their office, and (3) non–profit legal services organizations that file a copy of their annual independent audit with the State Bar, (4) non–resident attorneys licensed to practice in South Dakota who have not represented a South Dakota client during the reporting period, or (5) members who have been in an inactive status for the full reporting period. In addition, all lawyers required to disclose the absence of professional liability insurance as required pursuant to Rule 1.4(c) must sign the additional verification and certification of disclosure as reflected at the end of the Certificate of Compliance and Insurance Disclosure form.
MINIMUM TRUST ACCOUNTING RECORDS
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 16-18-20.2
- Magistrate judges: Judicial officers who assist U.S. district judges in getting cases ready for trial, who may decide some criminal and civil trials when both parties agree to have the case heard by a magistrate judge instead of a judge.
- Property: includes property, real and personal. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. Source: OCC
The minimum trust accounting records which shall be maintained are:
(1) A separate bank account or accounts and, if utilized, a separate savings and loan association account or accounts. Such accounts shall be located in South Dakota unless the client otherwise directs in writing. The account or accounts shall be in the name of the lawyer or law firm and clearly labeled and designated as a “trust account.”
(2) Original or duplicate deposit slips and, in the case of currency or coin, an additional cash receipts book, clearly identifying:
(a) The date and source of all trust funds received; and
(b) The client or matter for which the funds were received.
(3) Original cancelled checks, or copies of both sides of the original checks produced through truncation or check imaging, or the equivalent, all of which must be numbered consecutively.
(4) Other documentary support for all disbursements and transfers from the trust account.
(5) A separate trust accounts receipts and disbursements journal, including columns for receipts, disbursements, transfers, and the account balance, and containing at least:
(a) The identification of the client or matter for which the funds were received, disbursed, or transferred;
(b) The date on which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred;
(c) The check number for all disbursements; and
(d) The reason, such as “settlement,” “closing” or retainer,” for which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred.
(6) A separate file, ledger or computer file with an individual card, page or computer document for each client or matter, showing all individual receipts, disbursements, or transfers and any unexpended balance, and containing:
(a) The identification of the client or matter for which trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred;
(b) The date on which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred;
(c) The check number of all disbursements; and
(d) The reason, such as “settlement,” “closing” or “retainer,” for which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred.
(7) All bank or savings and loan association statements for all trust accounts.
MINIMUM TRUST ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES
The minimum trust accounting procedures which shall be followed by all attorneys practicing in South Dakota who receive or disburse trust money or property are:
(1) The lawyer shall cause to be made monthly:
