FAQs for legal customers
This article answers common questions from law firms, legal practitioners and their clients about using Send for international payments, estate distributions and PEXA settlements.
About Send
Who is Send?
Send operates in Australia through SendFX Limited, which holds Australian Financial Services Licence 509635 and is registered with AUSTRAC as an Independent Remittance Service Provider. Send provides foreign exchange and international payments services to retail and business customers.
What does Send offer law firms?
- International payments in a range of currencies, including for estate distributions and property settlements.
- PEXA integration, so funds can be sent to overseas accounts directly from a property settlement workflow.
- Dedicated local support to verify details, eliminate errors and remove rework. Available during Australian business hours.
- Competitive rates, Access highly competitive exchange rates so you get the most value from every payment.
- Fast and reliable, international payments are typically received within 48 hours. (Timeframes are indicative and may vary based on destination, cut-off times and compliance checks).
How are exchange rates and fees presented?
Fees, costs and exchange-rate margins depend on the service and the transaction. Any applicable fees and the quoted exchange rate are provided at the time of booking, before you confirm the payment.
Setting up your firm's Send account
What documents do I need to set up my firm's account?
The documents required depend on your firm's legal structure (for example, sole practitioner, partnership, incorporated legal practice, or trust). When you start the application, Send will:
- Confirm the firm’s registration details using public registers.
- Identify and, where required, verify relevant individuals associated with the firm, including beneficial owners and people authorised to act on its behalf.
- Request additional information where required to complete our checks.
If your structure includes a trust, we may ask for relevant trust documents.
If you share your firm's ABN with our team, we can provide an initial indication of what may be required for your structure before you start.
How long does the application take?
The time required depends on the firm’s structure, the information provided and whether additional verification or review is needed.
More complex structures, incomplete information or unclear documents may take longer to assess. Your Account Manager can provide an indicative update once the application has been reviewed.
Sending payments
How long does a payment take?
International payments are typically received within 1-2 business days. Payment times vary depending on:
- When Send receives cleared funds.
- The currencies and destination country.
- Banking cut-off times and public holidays.
If you have a tight deadline, please let your Account Manager know as early as possible. Our team operates during Australian business hours, 8:30am - 5:30pm AEST/AEDT, Monday to Friday.
Can I send Australian dollars (AUD) to an overseas account without converting?
Send supports overseas payments as foreign exchange transactions, which means the payment includes a currency conversion. If you need to send funds overseas, AUD will be converted to the destination currency before the funds are sent.
Available currencies and payment methods depend on the destination country, recipient bank and payment route.
How is the exchange rate determined?
Exchange rates move with the market. When you are ready to book a payment, you can:
- Lock in a rate: Request a quote to hold a specific rate for a short period. Once you confirm, the booked rate is what applies.
- Use a live rate: Book at the real-time rate at the moment of trade.
The exchange rate quoted at the time of booking, along with any applicable fees, is shown to you before you confirm the Payment.
What happens if a payment is returned by the receiving bank?
If a payment is returned, the funds come back to Send in the currency they were sent in (for example, USD funds return as USD). Your Account Manager will contact you to confirm next steps, which may include:
- Sending the funds to an alternative account in the same currency.
- Converting the funds back to AUD only after you authorise it.
How long does it take to process a payment after I upload the recipient's information?
Once recipient details are added to your account, your Account Manager is notified and will request any documents needed to meet our compliance obligations. Processing time depends on the destination, payment route and compliance review.
Recipient details
What information do you need from the recipient?
Required recipient details vary by destination country and currency. As a baseline, for every recipient you will need:
- Recipient's full name (matching their bank account).
- Residential or registered business address.
- Bank account country.
- Receiving currency.
- Bank account details for the destination country.
Some destinations may require additional information, such as purpose-of-payment details, tax identifiers, date-of-birth or incorporation details, or contact information for the recipient.
If you are unsure what is needed for a specific destination, your Account Manager can confirm before you collect details from your client.
Suggested visual: add a screenshot of the recipient details screen in Send.
Estate distributions
What documents do you need for an estate distribution?
For estate-related payments, Send may request documents needed to confirm:
- The executor's authority.
- The recipient's entitlement.
- The source and flow of the funds being distributed.
The documents most commonly used to confirm these points are:
- Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration).
- The Will.
- Distribution Statement.
Your Account Manager will confirm what is needed for your specific matter. In some cases, other documents may also be accepted.
These documents help Send meet its own regulatory obligations and reduce the risk of intermediary or receiving banks placing funds on hold due to insufficient information.
I do not want to share these documents for privacy reasons. What are my options?
We understand estate documents are sensitive. In some cases, partial redaction may be acceptable, provided the remaining information is sufficient for Send to complete verification. Speak with your Account Manager about what may be redacted before you share anything.
Property settlements
What documents do you need for a property settlement payment?
For property settlement matters, Send may request documents needed to confirm:
- The property transaction the funds relate to.
- The parties involved and the amount being paid out.
The documents most commonly used to confirm these points are:
- Property settlement statement, or
- PEXA completion statement
Your Account Manager will confirm what is needed for your specific matter.
These documents help Send meet its own regulatory obligations and reduce the risk of intermediary or receiving banks placing funds on hold due to insufficient information.
Receiving funds and PEXA integration
Can our overseas clients send funds to us through Send?
Yes. Send can help your overseas client send funds to your Trust Account in Australia. Because Send is a financial services provider, supporting documentation may be required to meet our regulatory obligations. Your Account Manager will let you know what is required.
Can clients send foreign currency for a PEXA settlement?
Where supported, Send can receive overseas funds, convert them to AUD and arrange the domestic payment required for the PEXA Source Account workflow. This is generally available where the firm does not operate a trust account.
The PEXA Source Account itself only accepts domestic AUD payments.
For more on the PEXA Source Account, see PEXA's own help article: Providing Source Funds from the PEXA Source Account.
Why does the bank name shown in PEXA differ from what I expected?
The bank name displayed in settlement workflows may reflect the clearing or settlement arrangement used for that payment, rather than the underlying relationship bank. If you would like written confirmation for your matter file, contact your Account Manager.
Verification and security
What checks do you run on a recipient before paying them?
Send applies screening, monitoring and review controls to customers, recipients and transactions. Additional review steps may be required depending on the destination, payment route and transaction risk.
For some first-time or higher-risk payments, Send may contact you to verify recipient details before the payment is released.
What if I have concerns about a payment in progress?
If you have concerns about a payment, contact your Account Manager or the support team and we will investigate the payment status. International payments through Send use the SWIFT network, which gives Send the ability to trace a payment that has not arrived and, where appropriate, request a recall of the funds.
AML/CTF
How does Send support payments involving law firms?
Send collects and reviews information needed to meet its own legal and regulatory obligations as a financial services and remittance provider.
Send does not perform compliance on behalf of a law firm, assume responsibility for the firm’s AML/CTF obligations or provide legal or compliance advice. Each firm remains responsible for understanding and meeting the obligations that apply to its business, clients and matters.
Information or documents provided to Send may also need to be retained separately by the firm for its own purposes.
Where can I find current AML/CTF requirements for law firms?
AML/CTF requirements for law firms are subject to legislative and regulatory change. Firms should refer to AUSTRAC, their Law Society and their own legal or compliance advisers for guidance on their separate obligations.
What happens next
- If you have a payment in progress, your Account Manager will contact you with any documents or information they need.
- If you are setting up an account, you will receive an onboarding email with the next steps once your application is submitted.
- If you are unsure whether a payment is supported, contact your Account Manager before collecting recipient details from your client.
Common questions
The Send banking name in PEXA is different to what I expected.
- Why it happens: The settlement screen may show the clearing or settlement account name used for that payment, rather than the underlying relationship bank.
- What to do next: For your security, we recommend verifying banking details both over the phone and in writing before proceeding. Contact your Account Manager, or call our Legal Services team on +61 7 5619 5710. We can confirm the details for your matter and provide written confirmation for your file.
My client is uncomfortable sharing estate documents with Send.
- Why it happens: Estate documents are personal and your client may have privacy concerns.
- What to do next: In some cases, partial redaction may be acceptable, provided the remaining information is sufficient for Send to complete verification. Discuss with your Account Manager before you share anything.
A first-time payment to a new recipient is taking longer than I expected.
- Why it happens: First-time or higher-risk payments may include additional verification steps, including a possible verbal check with you.
- What to do next: Make sure your contact details are up to date so we can reach you quickly. If you have a tight deadline, let your Account Manager know in advance.
My payment was returned by the receiving bank.
- Why it happens: The receiving or intermediary bank may have rejected the payment due to mismatched details, internal risk policies, or incomplete information.
- What to do next: Send will hold the funds in the original currency. Your Account Manager will confirm options to redirect the payment or convert back to AUD with your authorisation.
Contact us
Call Us
Phone: 1800 982 418
International: +61 7 5619 5700
Legal Services team: +61 7 5619 5710
Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm AEST/AEDT, Monday - Friday