---
title: "Bill time actually worked, including where a tool shortened the task"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/draft-a-costs-disclosure-from-the-matter-scope-and-the-scale-or-estimate/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A42-T1-R1-US"
practice_area: "Costs, billing & litigation funding"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-09-23"
---

# Bill time actually worked, including where a tool shortened the task

> From the time file and the tool logs the lawyer supplies, list tasks where elapsed time and billed time may diverge.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/draft-a-costs-disclosure-from-the-matter-scope-and-the-scale-or-estimate/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-09-23

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Costs, billing & litigation funding](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the time file and the tool logs the lawyer supplies, list tasks where elapsed time and billed time may diverge. |
| What the lawyer must review | Bill for work done (Rule 1.5 and Opinion 512) Do not bill time not spent (Florida 24-1, California) Do not mark up AI overhead without the required agreement |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Draft a costs disclosure from the matter scope and the scale or estimate](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/draft-a-costs-disclosure-from-the-matter-scope-and-the-scale-or-estimate.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: From the time file and the tool logs the lawyer supplies, list tasks where elapsed time and billed time may diverge.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 23 September 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Sources

- [ABA Model Rule 1.5, Fees](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_5_fees/) (checked 2026-09-23)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-09-23)
- [Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 24-1](https://www.floridabar.org/etopinions/opinion-24-1/) (checked 2026-09-23)
- [State Bar of California, Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law (2026)](https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/ethics/Generative-AI-Practical-Guidance.pdf) (checked 2026-09-23)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*