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.

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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 emergency, 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.

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Structured Settlement

Millions of Americans are injured in accidents each year — often the injured opt for compensation through a structured settlement. This type of settlement provides a stream of payments over many years.
While this option works well for some, many people find that they need larger sums of cash in the near term to pay for things such as college tuition for a family member, a down payment for the purchase of a home, debt reduction, medical expenses, or perhaps to start a business.
That's where J.G. Wentworth steps in. Thousands of individuals contact us every month to inquire about selling some or all of their monthly payments for a lump sum. For some, selling their structured settlement payments is not the best option; for others it clearly is. J.G. Wentworth's team of experienced representatives will work with clients to customize options tailored to each individual's needs.
J.G. Wentworth has, by far, the most experience purchasing structured settlement payments from consumers, with a customer base that is much larger than any competitor, and over $2 billion in payment transfers.

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Selling Your Structured Settlement Payments?

Welcome to the Settlement Source, the place to go for answers to all your questions involving Structured Settlements.  We are a clearinghouse of vital information about these important financial arrangements, which are commonly used to settle large awards in personal injury, worker’s compensation, bias and harassment, class action and other kinds of lawsuits.  The terms of structured settlements are fixed by a court order at the time a case is settled, so they cannot be altered, even if the plaintiff’s personal or financial circumstances change unexpectedly.

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