%20(1).avif)
.avif)
Your firm has used the same phone number for years.
The number already appears on its Google Business Profile, website, legal directories, advertisements, intake records, and referral partners' contact lists.
Therefore, you don't want to replace the line, as it could confuse clients.
Fortunately, moving to a law firm VoIP phone system doesn't mean starting with a new number. Number porting allows you to transfer your existing line from your current carrier to a new provider, so clients can continue calling the number they know.
In this article, you'll learn how to switch to a law firm VoIP phone system without losing your number. You'll also see how iPlum makes the transition easier for law firms.
Table of Contents
1. What happens when you port a law firm phone number?
2.What should a law firm look for in a VoIP phone system?
3. How to switch to a law firm VoIP phone system and retain your number
4. How long does law firm number porting take?
5. Why switch your existing law firm number to iPlum?
6. Law firm VoIP phone system FAQs
7. Move your law firm's existing number to iPlum
What happens when you port a law firm phone number?
Phone number porting moves an existing number from one phone provider to another.
Your firm's number remains exactly the same. However, the provider responsible for routing its calls and texts changes.
For example, porting a number from your current carrier to iPlum places it within the iPlum phone system. Clients can still call the saved number, and your firm doesn't have to update its website, advertisements, directories, or business cards.
Porting also differs from call forwarding. Call forwarding leaves the number with your current carrier and redirects incoming calls to another line. In contrast, porting transfers the number to the new provider.
Here's what happens during the iPlum porting process:
- Your number remains active with your current provider while the carriers process the transfer.
- Your firm continues answering calls through its existing service during this period.
- iPlum provides a temporary number when you create your account.
- Your law firm's existing number replaces the temporary number after the transfer.
- iPlum sends you an email confirming that the port is complete.
- Calls, texts, voicemail, and routing then operate through your iPlum account.
After completion, the number stops working with the former carrier and starts ringing in the iPlum app.
You can review the required information and full process in the official iPlum number-porting instructions.
What should a law firm look for in a VoIP phone system?
A law office VoIP system must preserve number continuity, protect client communications, and provide attorneys with reliable access outside the office.
Therefore, evaluate the following requirements before choosing a provider.
Existing-number portability
Ask the provider to check your exact phone number before you pay for a plan.
Confirm that it can accept your number type, such as mobile, landline, toll-free, or virtual. You should also ask about porting charges, required documents, estimated processing time, and temporary-number arrangements.
Secure business communication
Legal calls and texts can contain confidential case details, financial records, medical information, and settlement discussions.
Look for encryption during transmission and storage, password policies, user permissions, and access controls for protected records. A dedicated business line should also separate client communication from an attorney's personal calls and messages.
Reliable mobile calling
Attorneys frequently work from courthouses, client offices, home offices, and other locations.
A suitable system should allow them to call through Wi-Fi, mobile data, or a carrier voice network. In addition, the firm's business number should appear on the caller ID in all calling modes.
Professional call routing
An unanswered intake call can cost your firm a new client.
Therefore, look for an auto attendant, extensions, call groups, business hours, custom greetings, and voicemail. These options allow callers to reach the correct attorney or department, even when the receptionist is unavailable.
Legal call documentation
Call records can assist with billing, client disputes, internal reviews, and case documentation.
Evaluate call logs, automatic recording, transcription, consent announcements, storage settings, and export options. Also, confirm who can access these records and how administrators can revoke access.
Firm administration
The account owner should be able to add users, assign phone numbers, change permissions, and remove former staff access.
Moreover, the firm should retain control of its business numbers and communication records when an attorney changes roles or leaves.
Before selecting a provider, confirm that your current number qualifies for transfer. You can begin with the official iPlum number-porting instructions.
How to switch to a law firm VoIP phone system and retain your number
After auditing your current setup, you can prepare iPlum and submit the number transfer. Follow these eight steps.
1. Choose the iPlum plan and create your account
Start by comparing the calling, texting, recording, archiving, and administrative options on the iPlum pricing page.
Select a plan based on the number of attorneys, required communication records, and account permissions.
Next, create your account through the iPlum portal. Use a physical mobile number as your login ID. The login number must differ from the business number you plan to port, as iPlum sends a verification code to that number.
2. Check the number's porting eligibility
Select “Port Existing Number” in the iPlum portal and enter your current law firm number. The system will check if iPlum can accept it.
The number must remain active with your existing provider during the transfer.
Digital providers can also require you to unlock the number first. For example, follow iPlum’s specific Google Voice, Google Fi, and G Suite porting instructions before submitting one of these numbers.
Traditional mobile and landline carriers generally don’t require an unlock.
3. Gather the carrier account details
Your port request must match the information held by the current carrier. Even a minor difference can lead to rejection.
Prepare the following:
- Current provider’s name
- Business name shown on the account
- Authorized account owner’s name
- Full account number
- Primary billing telephone number
- Security PIN or transfer code
- Registered service address
- Recent carrier invoice
- Letter of authorization when requested
Use the service address attached to the phone number rather than a PO box. If you’re uncertain about any detail, request a Customer Service Record from the carrier.
You can compare your records with iPlum’s port-in form requirements.
4. Configure the temporary iPlum line
iPlum provides a temporary number during account setup. Use it to prepare the phone system before the number transfers are established.
Configure:
- An auto attendant and phone extensions for routing callers
- Business hours for workday and after-hours calls
- A professional voicemail greeting
- User accounts and number access for attorneys and staff
- Inbound and outbound call recording
- A recording announcement that plays at the beginning of recorded calls
- Text and call record archiving
Firms planning to send texts to US mobile numbers should also complete business text messaging registration. We recommend starting registration with the temporary number and porting the established number after approval.
5. Submit the port request
Return to the iPlum portal and complete the porting form.
Enter every carrier detail exactly as it appears on the current account. Then upload the recent invoice and signed letter of authorization if the form requests them.
iPlum reviews the submission before sending it to the current carrier. Monitor your email during this period. If the carrier reports a mismatch, correct the information promptly and resubmit it.
6. Continue using the existing provider during processing
Don't cancel your current phone account after submitting the port request.
The number continues working through the existing provider during processing. Attorneys and staff should answer calls through the current service until iPlum sends the completion email.
Meanwhile, inform all users about the expected transfer period and explain how they’ll sign in to iPlum after completion.
7. Test the ported number
Once iPlum confirms the transfer, place incoming and outgoing test calls.
Check:
- The business name and number are displayed through the iPlum caller ID
- Incoming calls from mobile and landline carriers
- Outgoing calls through Wi-Fi and voice network mode
- Auto-attendant options and extensions
- Business-hours and after-hours routing
- Voicemail greetings and alerts
- Incoming and outgoing texts
- Call recording and consent announcements
- User access and permissions
Run these tests from several phone carriers. Fix any routing, voicemail, or permission errors before staff begin using the ported line for client communication.
8. Confirm the old service has ended
Contact the former carrier after the number works correctly through iPlum.
Ask the carrier to confirm that it has disconnected the transferred line and stopped future billing. For a multiline account, verify that the carrier hasn’t disconnected numbers remaining on the old service.
Finally, download the last invoice and save the transfer confirmation with the firm’s phone account records.
How long does law firm number porting take?
Porting a phone number to iPlum usually takes 1 to 7 business days after the current carrier accepts the port order.
Wireless numbers can transfer sooner than landline numbers. However, the final timing depends partly on how quickly the current carrier reviews and releases the number.
Several issues can extend the processing period:
- The business name doesn’t match the carrier account.
- The account number or security PIN is incorrect.
- The service address differs from the carrier’s records.
- A virtual number hasn’t been unlocked.
- The carrier requires a recent invoice or letter of authorization.
- The submitted documents contain missing or outdated information.
- The current carrier takes longer to review the request.
Meanwhile, your law firm number remains active through the current provider. Continue using that service until iPlum confirms the transfer.
After completion, iPlum sends an email notification. The existing number then replaces the temporary iPlum number and starts ringing through the iPlum app.
At that point, test incoming calls, outgoing caller ID, texting, voicemail, extensions, and recording before using the line for regular client communication.
Why switch your existing law firm number to iPlum?
Porting your existing number to iPlum gives your firm a more capable phone system while preserving the contact details clients already use.
The ported number replaces the temporary iPlum line, so clients continue using the phone number they already recognize.
After the transfer, attorneys can use the iPlum app on their current smartphones, tablets, or computers. They can place calls over Wi-Fi, mobile data, or a carrier voice network, with the firm's number displayed as caller ID.
iPlum also gives law firms:
- An auto attendant that routes callers through greetings, extensions, and departments
- Automatic inbound and outbound call recording
- Consent announcements that play before recording begins
- Secure texting, text archiving, password policies, and encrypted record storage
- Exportable logs showing call times, durations, and participants
- Administrative accounts for adding users, assigning numbers, and changing permissions
Moreover, attorneys can separate business communication from personal calls while using devices they already own.
Read more about iPlum VoIP for law firms and the iPlum auto attendant for small law firms.
Law firm VoIP phone system FAQs
Can a law firm transfer its existing number to a VoIP phone system?
Yes. A law firm can transfer an eligible mobile, landline, toll-free, or virtual number to a VoIP provider via number porting, provided the number remains active throughout the process.
Will calls stop working during the number-porting process?
No. Your number remains active through the current carrier during processing. After completion, calls begin ringing through iPlum, and the established number automatically replaces the temporary line in your account.
How long does it take to port a law firm phone number?
iPlum advises approximately one to seven business days after the current carrier accepts the port order. Wireless numbers can transfer sooner, while landlines and rejected requests can take considerably longer.
Can iPlum port mobile, landline, toll-free, and Google Voice numbers?
Yes. iPlum can port eligible mobile, landline, toll-free, and virtual numbers. Google Voice, Google Fi, and similar digital numbers must usually be unlocked before the firm submits its porting request.
Should I cancel my current phone service before porting the number?
No. Leave your current service active until iPlum confirms completion. Canceling too early can release the number, interrupt calls, trigger carrier rejection, or prevent the transfer from completing.
Move your law firm's existing number to iPlum
Your law firm doesn't need a new phone number to gain better call routing, secure communication, and complete call records.
iPlum lets you transfer an eligible mobile, landline, toll-free, or virtual number and use it through the app on your existing devices.
A transfer requires three basics: leave the number active, submit carrier details exactly, and carefully test every call route after completion.
Enter your number to check its eligibility and start your port request today.
