[GNC] Lawyers, Retainers, Bills, Oh My!

[Ed Greenberg]

I've engaged an attorney on a particular matter.  I sent him $2500 as a 
retainer.

I booked the check against Expenses:Legal Fees (2026-04-20)

Now he's earned out most of his retainer (2123.54) and has sent me a 
bill to top up his retainer. (2026-06-09)

I went to Business | Vendors and opened a bill for the the 2123.24 
against Expenses:Legal Fees. I'll pay it next week and record the check 
via the Pay Bill process.

So perhaps I booked the the original retainer wrong.

I'd like to see a report showing the retainer, the bill, and the 
remaining balance, so that, when we're done, and he sends me a refund, 
I'll be able to close it out.

I don't think a credit note will help me here.  I currently have edited 
the payment to book a credit balance against a newly created liability 
account in the name of the attorney, but now that account is totally 
divorced (pardon the pun) from the accounts payable activity.

How would others set this up?

Thanks,

Ed Greenberg