Monday, March 15, 2010

Sell a Structured Settlement, Is It a Good Idea?

When an individual receives a structured settlement, that individual is usually someone who has been injured and is either unable to work, or their ability to work in a previous career has been challenged.  A structured settlement is an agreement by a party to pay that individual periodic payment for set period of time. However, some individuals may prefer access to all of the money in a lump sum;  for those individuals it might make sent to  sell a structured settlement.

When an individual decides to sell a structured settlement, there are numerous considerations.  One should consider their personal situation. One of the major benefits of receiving settlement payments on a schedule is that the individual protects from spending a lump sum.   When payments come over time, that person is prevented from spending the money all at once. If an individual doesn’t have the discipline to stick to a budget, then perhaps it would not be ideal to sell a structured settlement.

We will discuss other considerations when one decides to sell a structured settlement in the coming days.


Source

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Cash Structured Settlement In, Receive Lump Sum Today?

Individuals who have received a structured settlement and who need cash fast may wish to consider selling the settlement to receive a lump sum.  A lump sum can be received from firms that represent investors who wish to purchase structured settlements.  In today’s economy, there are few investments that investors feel are safe, but these types of contracts are safer than other investments.  Therefore, investors are willing to pay a lump sum now to receive the scheduled payments that a settlement would pay over a period of years.

The reason an investor would do this is that there are times — like now — where other safe investments are not providing an acceptable amount of return.  Purchasing a structured settlement is a low risk proposition for an investor.

It is important that any individual considering a sale of a structured settlement talk to an attorney to get the proper advice. Selling a structured settlement for a lump sum means that there will be no further money coming in.


Source

Monday, February 15, 2010

How to Sell a Structured Settlement

There are numerous ways to get cash quickly when moving to sell a structured settlement.  First, one should consider retaining legal advice. Frequently the seller has already established a relationship with an attorney who has negotiated the structured settlement. Secondly, one should consider shopping around, as it is likely that there will be much variance in the offers from companies that purchase settlement.  It would be best to receive multiple quotes from companies to make sure that one has received the best deal.

Additionally, sellers should note that the speed of a deal will largely depend on where one lives, and how quickly the court system works in their state or county.   Insurance companies have made selling structured settlements more difficult — although not impossible — in many states. This is another area where the guidance of an attorney would be vital.

We will discuss more on how to sell a structured settlement in the coming days.


Source

Monday, August 10, 2009

Selling Structured Settlement Be Smart About It

There are so many important elements to consider when it comes to selling a structured settlement. You need to make sure that you do need to go about selling structured settlement in order to obtain a lump sum payment of money quickly. You also need to find a qualified broker who can handle the selling structured settlement for you. You also need to find a company that is interested in what you have to sell – in other words, a company that purchases settlements. Selling structured settlements is simple in some ways but more complex in others.
Selling a structured settlement means that the money you received from a personal injury claim or a workers’ compensation claim in the past will no longer be yours anymore. Think about selling a structured settlement very carefully before you take action. Is this the best financial move for you at this time or not?
Speak to those you trust and those whom you value the opinions of about selling structured settlement. See what pearls of wisdom regarding selling structured settlement other people have to impart to you.
If selling structured settlement is what you choose to do then it is important that you choose the right company. What does the right company for selling structured settlement have to be?
To start, if you are going to go about selling structured settlement then you want to sell to a company that is stable, secure and on good footing. Selling your structured settlement should also go only to a company that is ethical in its business practices and treats its employees well.
Selling structured settlement is a serious matter and should be treated as such. Don’t sell to just any company that shows an interest. Selling structured settlement should be done with a level head and an awareness of what the entire transaction entails! Selling structured settlement is something that can affect your life so be smart about it whatever you do! Do research about selling structured settlement- a lot of research!
Selling a structured settlement once you have found an appropriate buyer will take anywhere from 10 to 14 days for everything to be completed. That is how long it will take to get your lump sum from selling the structured settlement. It is important to bear in mind when selling a structured settlement that the court must give the okay for the sale to go through before the money will be released to you.
Think carefully about selling structured settlement. This is the exact same advice you would give to someone else who was in your shoes, wouldn’t you? Selling a structured settlement is a very big deal and should be treated as such.

Source

Monday, August 3, 2009

How to Sell a Structured Settlement

Introduction

  • If you are receiving structured settlement payments, but have a sudden need for cash, you may be able to factor the arrangement in return for a lump sum payment. This is done by selling the rights to receive the payments in return for a payment from an investor who is looking to receive future income.

Step 1: What are Structured Settlements?

Turn your structured settlement into cash Creative Commons Photo from  borman818
Turn your structured settlement into cash Creative Commons Photo from borman818
  • When law suits are settled, damages may be awarded in a lump sum, or a series of payments. A settlement which is awarded in a series of payments over time is called a structured settlement.
  1. A plaintiff may prefer a structured settlement as there may be tax benefits available depending on their individual circumstances.
  2. Defendants can purchase annuities to fund the payments, allowing them to pay the judgment with a lump sum, even though the plaintiff is receiving future payments.

Step 2: How to Sell a Structured Settlement

  • If you have large medical expenses, or have experienced a sudden financial emergency, you might wish you'd taken a lump sum payment instead of a structured settlement. Even if you have received a structured settlement, you might be able turn it into cash by selling it to an investor. The process may take up to 90 days. Here's what you need to know before entering into a contract to factor your settlement:
  1. Approximately two thirds of states restrict the sale of structured settlements.
  2. Federal law restricts the sale of tax-free structured settlements.
  3. If the settlement is funded by an annuity, the insurance company may not transfer the benefits to a third party.
  4. You may need to go back to court to have the sale approved by a judge.
    1. The judge will evaluate the circumstances to determine whether the seller will actually benefit from the transaction.
    2. The judge may also evaluate the impact of the sale on the seller's heirs.
  5. Because of the legal issues involved, you should consult with an attorney before selling your settlement. Source

Monday, July 27, 2009

Advice For Selling Structured Settlements You Should Not Ignore

There are a variety of ways people come to receive structured settlement payments - personal injury claims, annuity arrangements, and so on.  Whatever your situation, if you are thinking about selling your structured settlement for a lump sum of cash, there are some important factors to consider.  First, you should make sure that it is even possible to sell your structured settlement; it is not always the case.  Even if it is possible, make sure you are aware of the costs and penalties involved.  Below are some important tips that should not be ignored.
First, if you have not settled your claim yet, consider if receiving a structured settlement is the right choice for you.  It cannot be stressed enough - now is the best time to decide between a structured settlement payment plan or a lump sum.  Anything that you do after the structured settlement is in place will invariably involve additional costs to you.  Keep in mind that combination arrangements can sometimes be reached - a smaller lump sum up front in combination with smaller structured annuity payments, for example.
If your structured settlement is already in place, keep in mind that it was probably set up from the beginning in a way that is tax-advantaged for you.  You may therefore have significant tax penalties if you decide to sell your payments for a lump sum.  Be sure to see a tax adviser to get the best advice for your case.
Sometimes, sellers of structured settlements run into federal or state limitations.  There are some federal regulations which limit the sale of structured settlements, and approximately 2/3 of states have similar legal restrictions.  Find out which laws, if any, apply in your situation.  At the very least, you may need to obtain court approval for the sale of your settlement payments.  In addition - if your structured settlement was issued by an insurance company, they may have language in the settlement agreement which limits sale of the periodic payments.
Don't be blinded by the prospect of getting a huge lump sum of cash up front.  Not only must you make sure you will not spend the money unwisely, you will need to check around and compare offers.  The discount value of a structured settlement can vary widely from buyer to buyer, but it generally ends up being 50% of the value of the periodic payment total.  Also - make sure you research each potential buyer carefully.  Check with the Better Business Bureau in your area, and ask for references.
Getting good legal help can be a wise investment when it comes to selling structured settlements.  A lawyer with experience in this area can help in several areas.  First, he or she can tell you if the buyer's offer is a good one, given the current market conditions and their experience with other clients in the same situation.  Second, he or she will be able to review the terms set forth by the purchaser of your settlement payments, and alert you if any red flags are raised.  Lastly, should the transaction go sour, a lawyer can protect your rights and make sure you are dealt with fairly by all parties involved.

Source

Monday, July 20, 2009

Selling Structured Settlements

Structured settlements can be sold when there is a monetary emergency. There is an option of selling the settlement in parts, instead of opting to sell the whole settlement for a lump sum. The whole settlement needs to be sold only in case of dire emergency when the cash has to be raised immediately. Structured settlements can be sold as portions when money is required in smaller quantities and does not require the lump sum that would be available if the whole of the structured settlement is sold.
Structured settlements ensure periodic payments of a lump sum, and the lump sum can be released by selling a part or whole of the structured settlement. However, when a structured settlement is sold for a lump sum, the amount received is usually considerable less than the market value or lower than what would be received in monthly installments, but they do provide the option for sale in case of financial necessity.
In some cases where the structured settlement on periodic basis is no longer required, such as in cases of worker's compensation where the medical bills no longer need to be paid after the individual is discharged from the hospital, selling off the remaining portion of the structured settlement can produce a tidy lump sum that could be used for other necessities.
Consider the legalities before selling a structured settlement, as some might not have the option of being sold earlier for a lump sum. Also, when the negotiations take place, some contracts might put up the restriction on sale of the structured settlement. Since structured settlements help in tax savings, it might make the person liable to pay tax after the settlement is sold. Also, if the settlement is being sold to raise cash for an emergencyFree Articles, it is possible that the insurance company might make an offer considerably lower than market value.
Licensed brokers and attorneys would be able to assist in selling a structured settlement in an appropriate manner since they are specialized in this field. It is important to take their advice before selling either a part or whole of a structured settlement as this might result in a bad judgment on part of the individual.

Source