Learn how to properly close out a matter after the client engagement has ended.
Smokeball Desktop App
Once a matter is finalised, you can mark it as Closed in Smokeball and enter the archive details.
The Matter closed date automates to today’s date when the status changes to Closed.
From the matter file
If you need to change the Matter closed date to a date other than today, or enter archive details:
- Navigate to the matter, then double-click on the Info line. Change the Status dropdown menu to Closed.
- When the status changes to Closed, archive options appear in the same window.
From the list of matters
- Navigate to the Matters section from the left panel, then locate the matter in the matter list.
- Right-click on the matter.
- Hover over the Change Status option and select Closed.
From the matter tag options
- Open the matter.
- In the matter file, click the + icon on the header.
- Change matter status in the dropdown menu to Closed .
Archive a matter
Once the matter is closed, the archive section appears when you double-click the Info line in the master file.
Note that:
- The Archived Date defaults to today’s date.
- The Destroy Date defaults to today’s date + 7 years.
View closed matters
Matters cannot be removed from Smokeball (even if Closed and Archived). To review closed matters:
- Click the Show dropdown menu on the top-right of your matter list.
- Change the Status field to the Closed option only.
- The matter list will be updated with Closed matters.
Reopen a closed and archived matter
To reopen a matter, double-click on the Info line in the matter file and select Open from the Status drop-down menu. This will also remove any archive details from the matter.
Smokeball Web App
On the Smokeball Web App, you can only close a matter, not archive it.
To close a matter in the web app:
- Select Edit Matter from the top-right corner of the matter file.
- In the Matter Details section, select Close from the Matter Status drop-down menu.
- Select Save Matter.