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.


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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.


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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.


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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.

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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.

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Step 1: What are Structured Settlements?

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.

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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

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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Understanding Structured Settlements

Have  you brought a lawsuit against a company or an individual that you claim caused you permanent harm as a result of their negligence or intentional misconduct? (that’s just a fancy “lawyer” way of saying that you’re hurt and you say it’s their fault).  Did you win or settle your lawsuit?  If so, then you need to understand the basics about structured settlements, as it may be an important option to consider.
Ordinarily, when you win a judgment or settle your lawsuit the defendant has to pay you the judgment or settlement amount in a lump sum. Let’s say, for example, you have a form of cancer caused by asbestos called asbestosis.  You sue the asbestos manufacturer, who agrees to settle out of court for a million dollars (don’t get excited or disappointed; this is just an imaginary amount for example purposes).  You get a check for a million dollars, right?
That’s one option, but a structured settlement might make more sense depending on your circumstances.  A structured settlement pays you in installments over time instead of a single lump sum.
Installment payments can be structured in a number of ways to suit your needs and to protect you from inflation.  They can range from a simple yearly payment to complex arrangements consisting of an initial lump sum payment, monthly indexed installments, deferred payments, and special provisions relating to the future care or death of the insured.
Typically, the defendant would purchase an annuity (from an annuity or insurance company) for a dollar amount that is paid up front.  The annuity provides regularly scheduled income payments as specified by you and your attorney under the terms of the structured settlement.
What are the advantages of a structured settlement? Well, for one thing, you are guaranteed a source in income for life.  A second important advantage is tax management: you may be able to substantially reduce the taxes you would have to pay Uncle Sam on any investment income that would otherwise accrue from investment of a lump sum settlement.
Apart from the tax savings, it’s also important to “know thy self” when making a decision about structured settlements.  Are you the kind of person who would head to Vegas, do a little world travel, buy lots of toys, and basically blow your money until you have nothing left of your million dollars in a year or two?  If so, a structured settlement might be the way to go.
There are some negatives, however, that you need to be aware of.  First, once you agree to it, you are stuck with the terms of the structured settlement.  You cannot change it at some later date. Hence, it’s very important to be represented by a good attorney and tax advisor who will help negotiate structured settlement terms that meet your needs, such as protection from rising inflation. If you don’t expect to live very long, on the other hand, you may want a settlement that guarantees a minimum payment even if you die before the guarantee period expires.  This can protect your family or beneficiaries from being left without financial resources.
Contrary to the suspicions of some uniformed plaintiffs, structured settlements are not intended to and do not (assuming you are represented by a decent lawyer) re-assess or change your award. They are simply a device to allow for payment of your judgment or settlement over time, or on an installment basis.  They are flexible and can be structured to meet many needs and life circumstances.
People who receive structured settlement payments however may decide at some point during the life of the settlement that they need more money in the short term rather than periodic payments over time. In this case, some people opt for a structured settlement factoring transaction. With this type of transaction the structured settlement recipient can sell (or encumber) all or part of their future periodic payments for a present lump sum.

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Your Structured Settlement Should Work For You

The best time to decide that a structured settlement is not right for you is before you consent to such a settlement. You may wish to press for a lump sum settlement, for periodic lump sum payments in addition to smaller annual payments, or for a lump sum to be issued at a future date when you anticipate a particular need. If you work out a settlement package that is in your best interest at the outset, you will be able to maximize the value of your settlement and get the greatest tax benefit from the structured portion of any settlement.
Remember that the companies which purchase structured settlements intend to profit from the purchase of your settlement. Their profit comes out of the payments you would otherwise receive.
Recall also that if your future earning capacity is impaired as a result of your injury, you should consider your future needs when you are making any decision regarding the sale of your settlement.

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Sell Annuity, Structured Settlement, or Lottery Payments Today

Get the Best Price for your annuity-- Guaranteed--by having our Certified Funders compete to give you their Best Offers up front.
Sit back and relax while We do all the Shopping for You.
Get up to 6 Price Quotes without delay. Here's how:
Online:

1. Complete the Form at the top of this page.
2. When prompted, tell us your payment dates, payment amount(s) and the name of the insurance company that pays you.
3. Get your Price Quotes at your designated email address usually within 1 hour and not more than 24 Hours.
4. Accept the highest price online and Receive your Sale Documents by Fedex within 24 hours.
5. Get Paid by direct Wire Transfer into your Bank Account.

By Phone:

1. Contact one of our Customer Service Experts at 1-888-665-1257.
2. Receive assistance in requesting your Price Quotes.
3. Get a phone call from our Customer Service Expert as soon as the quotes have been submitted by our Certified Funders.
4. Accept the highest price and Receive your Sale Documents by Fedex within 24 hours.
5. Get Paid by direct Wire Transfer into your Bank Account.

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Is selling a structured settlement a good investment decision?

n nine cases out of ten, selling a structured settlement is not a good investment decision. Ideally, selling a structured settlement for cash should be the last alternative and should be resorted to only if the individual is confident of managing his own investment portfolio in a competent manner. This is because in any sale of a structured settlement, it is possible to lose up to half of the long-term value of the structured settlement.

Cash Payments or a Structured Settlement?

In traditional settlements, compensation for damages has usually consisted of a single cash payment. Alternative arrangements know as structured settlements were created in the 1980's. Under these arrangements the beneficiary would receive cash structured settlement payments on a periodic basis. This guaranteed stream of annuity payments could be paid over a period of months, years or a complete lifetime.

Selling Future Payments

Many individuals receiving a stream of monthly payments under a settlement agreement don't realize that they can sell all or a portion of their annuity payments and be paid a cash sum. Access to this money could provide funding to meet the current life needs of your family instead of waiting for a future stream of inflexible payments structured over a period of a year or more. This process of entering into a contract to sell ones legal right of receiving future structured payments to settlement companies in exchange for the present value of the money is called factoring. A large number of companies now offer cash for a structured settlement payment. When evaluating your options, try to work with financially sound companies that are competent and ethical.

For more information please fill out the form on the right.

Settlement Companies

In recent years, a complete settlement funding industry has been created. Companies will offer to pay for the rights to receive future annuity payments under structured agreements. These companies offer customers the benefit of direct access to cash.

To gain immediate access to their money, a person can sell their right to receive all or part of their future structured annuity payments to a settlement buyer. The factoring company acquires the right to receive future structured settlement monies in exchange for a cash payout. Reasons to sell a series of payments include gaining access to financial capital during a family emergency. Some people choose to repay a debt or to use the cash for investment purposes such as starting a business or buying a home. Others use the money to fund an entire college education.

What Is a Structured Settlement Payment?

Formally recognized by the federal government since 1983, structured settlement payments are specified in voluntary settlement agreements between and injury victims and defendant(s). A settlement payment or annuity comes as the result of a contract between a victim and a defendant whereby the injured victim receives a stream of tax-free settlement payments as an annuity tailored to meet their future needs instead of receiving one lump sum. Once a structured settlement payment agreement is reached, the plaintiff cannot make changes.

Structured settlement payments are used more frequently these days because they offer substantial benefits to all parties involved in the structured settlement agreement. Victims receive tax-free payments and defendants get an end to litigation as the result of reaching a structured settlement agreement.

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Market Meltdown Great News For Factoring Company Woodbridge Investments

The U.S. central bank doubled its planned auction of cash to banks, increasing it to $900 billion. The US Central Bank also unveiled a unit to buy commercial paper, which is debt used by companies for short-term funding. In an unprecedented effort to further ease the current economic crisis, the worst since the Great Depression, the Federal Reserve and four other central banks coordinated to lower the Global interest rate.

Amongst all this economic woe, one company continues to thrive despite wall street's chaos and market downturns, U.S. factoring company Woodbridge Investments. Factoring companies lend money or purchase receivables such as structured settlements, annuities, and lottery payments. These companies are helping consumers get cash in this tight credit market.

Woodbridge Investments, LLC, a leader in buying insurance settlements, structured settlements and lottery payments, reported a record 3rd quarter with an unprecedented increase in factoring transactions, up 45% from same quarter last year. Jennifer Fierro, a company spokesperson and Senior Vice President for Woodbridge said, "We are at the forefront of providing superior service to our customers as evidenced by our company's continued growth. We are opening additional offices and increasing staffed personnel to make sure we maintain our position of excellence where it comes to providing and accommodating every one of our customers with need to cash out their various cash flows, and settlement streams."

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Settlement Quotes, LLC Creates Structured Settlement Broker Services Division

Settlement Quotes, LLC, the leading marketplace for selling the rights to future structured settlement and other annuity payments, creates a marketplace designed specifically for financial planners, attorneys, and structured settlement brokers.
Michael Rudy, a financial planner with Wolakota Financial Advisors, came to Settlement Quotes, LLC after a judge ordered a client of Mr. Rudy to seek a financial planner to ensure that a structured settlement transfer was in his client's best interest. Mr. Rudy came to Settlement Quotes seeking competitive lump sum quotes and to make sure that his client was receiving the best offer.
Settlement Quotes, LLC was able to offer Mr. Rudy and his client an increase of 19% or $14,500 net of all fees.
"So impressed was I with their transparency, helpfulness and results, I am actively working to bring their work to the attention of the executives of my professional financial planning association, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors," said Mr. Rudy.

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Credit Default Swaps Weapons of Financial Mass Destruction

The latest downward spiral in the global commodity and stock markets, coinciding with several high profile bank failures, is conjuring up fears of the calamities of the Great Depression of the 1930's. European and Asian stock markets are plunging as terror and panic hits Wall Street. The US Congress finally passed a massive $700 billion rescue package to unclog the credit markets, yet US stock markets have continued to plummet, shedding $1.5-trillion in value.

Hindsight is the best sight, but the chaos gripping the markets started with US Treasury's reckless decision to allow Lehman Brothers (LEH) to fail, which set-off an unstoppable chain reaction that unleashed a torrent of panic selling on global stock markets, and froze the European and US banking systems. LEH left its creditors holding $150 billion of near worthless bonds, and common and preferred shareholders were completely wiped out. “Until the day they put me in the ground I will wonder, why we were the only one that was not rescued,” former Lehman chief Larry Fuld told Congress.

However, there were also huge losses for companies who wrote credit protection on LEH's bonds over the past five-years. Those sellers of credit protection are now staring down the barrel of billions of dollars in claims, and are scrambling to raise money by selling anything they can get their hands on, including commodities and stocks. Warren Buffet has referred to these credit defaults swaps CDS's, as “weapons of financial mass destruction,” and the fuse on the time-bomb has been lit.

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Realty investors take equity route to offset tax burden

Though the realty sector has been hit by the general economic slowdown, smart property investors, who raked in the moolah when the going w
as good, made use of the equity markets to reduce the tax they paid on those gains.

According to tax consultants, people whose income is derived from other sources, say a salaried employee, can and have in the past offset derivatives losses against short-term capital gains made in property transactions to reduce tax incidence on the property gains.

Gains from property are deemed short-term if they are held for less than three years. Once a derivatives loss is offset against the gain, the balance short-term capital gain is clubbed with the salary income and taxed at the normal rate.

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Northern sued by college over loss

For 20 years, Chicago-based Northern Trust Corp. held the hand of the University of Washington, providing it the kind of steady, safe investment services that earned the bank its nickname "the Gray Lady of LaSalle Street."

But over the course of a few dramatic days in September, all that changed. The Wall Street financial disaster that took down such titans as Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and Washington Mutual Inc. also damaged Northern's relationship with the school, proving that even the most staid financial dealings have become vulnerable to the turmoil sweeping the country.

A suit filed in Seattle by UW describes the harrowing days following Lehman's collapse, when mounting losses in Northern's once-steady securities-lending business stunned the university and allegedly pushed Northern to seek the help of the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury Department. Those requests were rejected, the suit said.

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Sudan towards another Lebanon

Sudan is in practice a country without a national army. This situation came into the Sudanese political history when the Islamists’ of sheik Hassan El Turabi after staging their military coup d’état in June, 31st of 1989 which saw the Islamisation of everything in the country from the public service, militarisation of the youth as well as the heads of departments by sending them to the transformation jihad training camps, not even the university professors where spared.

The Sudanese national army was systematically restructured by eliminating all the top officers who were of different political background in the sense that the new devilish system was preparing themselves to plunge the whole country into the current Islam motivated political chaos.

All Sudanese military, police, public service were all turned upside down for the sake of establishing a system assumedly would retain the by then collapsing Arab Islamic political dominance in the face of the south Sudanese resistance led by SPLM/A.

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