Rule 6 No Bearer Items

Lawyers who handle client money in trust accounts can't write checks made out to "cash" or "bearer." Every check has to name a specific person or business as the payee. This makes it possible to track exactly where the money went.

Lawyers also can't use a debit card or ATM card to take cash out of these accounts. Any withdrawal has to leave a clear paper trail showing who received the funds and why.

This rule exists to protect client money. When checks go to "cash" or money comes out through an ATM, there's no record of who actually got paid. That kind of setup makes it easy to hide missing funds or misuse client money without anyone noticing. By requiring named payees and blocking card withdrawals, the rule makes sure there's always a clear record connecting every dollar that leaves the account to a specific purpose.