> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.athelas.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Take Payment for Families

> Collect one combined payment across related patients, such as a parent paying for their children.

### At a Glance

When several people pay together — like a parent settling their own balance and their child's — a single combined payment is the most efficient way to handle it.

### How to Do It

1. Open the patient's profile and, on the **Charges** tab, click **Pay Balance**. (This button is disabled if the patient has no balance.)
2. In the popup, click **Add a related patient**.
3. Search by **name**, **date of birth**, or **phone number**, and select the patient. You can add as many patients as you like.
4. Each added patient's outstanding balance auto-fills the pay amount. You can edit the amounts — lowering the amount requested can help secure at least a partial payment.
5. Choose the payment method and click **Confirm**.

If you chose a method that sends a statement, the patient receives it shortly. If you charged a card directly, the payment processes immediately and you can send a receipt by text or email.

### FAQ

<Accordion title="How many patients can I combine into one payment?">
  As many as you like. Use **Add a related patient** repeatedly and adjust each patient's amount before confirming.
</Accordion>