Monday, November 4, 2013

Cash Settlement Video

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Oh My....Need Cash For Structured Settlement

When accidents occur, whether an auto accident, slip and fall, medical malpractice, wrongful death, or any other non workplace related injury happens, structured settlements are often set up with insurance companies to pay for these tortious acts. People who are in involved in personal injury or insurance related cases elect to receive a series of payments over a sunstantial period of time rather than receive an immediate lump sum payment. These payments typically total more than the amount a person would have obtained for an immediate payment. The injured party(Plaintiff) goes through a process whereby they elect to take this protracted payment, and sign off on a “Settlement and Release Agreement” allowing the Insurer(Defendant) to purchase an annuity policy on the insured’s behalf that would provide for monthly, quartely, or yearly payments to the injured party, who now becomes what is called the Annuitant. With the advent of new 2002 Federal Laws, and further State Protections, the injured party now has the right to get cash for their structured settlement by selling this annuity stream to an independent third party if he or she so desires. These periodic payments that flow from an insurance company annuity contract(called a structured settlement), may be transferred at anytime in the future for a lump sum today, but great care should be taken to ensure that the injured party obtains a proper court order. The reason for the court order is one of protection for the injured party, and that protection is twofold; first to protect the annuitant(injured party) from an unscrupulous transaction, and secondly, and just as important in our opinion, to preserve the tax free nature of the transaction. Without obtaining a court order, the proceeds received would be completely taxable, a fighteningly foreboding scenario. The structured settlement holder should be aware that these annuity sales have specific legal guidelines that differ from state to state. These specific elements must be adhered to strictly in order to complete the transaction. Typically, the injured party receiving the payment stream must execute(sign) a new transfer and assignment agreement disclosing all contractual terms and the price to be paid. At this point the injured party may be wondering how difficult it is for them to get cash for their stuctured settlement, since the procedure seems complex. In fact, the sale of a structured settlement annuity is a simple, straightforward process that any institutional funder has done thousands of times, and will handle all the paperwork properly. The only thing the injured party need do is make certain they provide the funder with the proper paperwork required in a timely fashion. This process is really a simple cookie cutter transaction. Once in court, the potential sale is announced to all interested parties and then is submitted to the court for their approval. Bear in mind that this procedure is a process, and typically will take at least 90 days to consummate. In order to expedite the process, the injured party needs to make certain that they respond immediately to requests for information and paperwork from the funding party. The institutional funder should have a vast knowledge of the structured settlement business, and have consummated numerous transactions, and offer you referrals. This is for your protection and an acknowledgement that all proper legal guidelines will be adhered to. If your structured settlement company doesn’t meet these requirements, use someone else. Can you get cash for structured settlement? Yes. Provided your follow these easy guidelines.

New Idea : Structured Settlements Should You Sell Yours

In recent years, it has become more common for victims of accidental injury who accept a settlement from the at-fault party to accept a structured settlement instead of a lump-sum payment. With a structured settlement, the injured party receives payments over an agreed-upon length of time – five years, ten years, or even a lifetime, rather than receiving payment up front in a lump sum. There are advantages to this for both parties. The injured party may require constant medical care, and the regular payments of a structured settlement guarantee that income will be available to cover the medical expenses. For the paying party, the settlement can be paid by purchasing an annuity, which allows an upfront payment to accrue interest, thereby producing a larger long-term yield from a minimal investment. In many cases, a structured settlement is viewed as a win-win situation for both parties. There are restrictions on structured settlements that may not suit everyone. Once you agree to accept a structured settlement, you cannot trade it back in for a lump sum payment, nor may you use it for collateral for a loan. What if you want to buy a home and pay cash? What if some other unexpected expense comes up and you simply do not have the cash available? Under certain circumstances, you may be able to sell your structured settlement to a third party. There are companies that are interested in purchasing structured settlements for investment purposes. Perhaps one or more of these companies has already contacted you. They will agree to pay you a lump sum, in cash, in exchange for you signing over your future annuity payments to them. Be aware that any party that offers to buy your annuity is interested in doing so for investment purposes. They wish to make money on the transaction, and for them, that profit will be spread over the long time that it takes to receive all of the payments that constitute the settlement. Once you combine the factors of time, interest, inflation, and the buying party’s profit, you will find that the offer made to you will seem quite small. The amount you receive will be an amount equal to the present day value of the settlement, minus whatever sum the investors require for their profit on the transaction. You should also know that some states prohibit the sale of structured settlements, that some insurance companies who handle the annuities prohibit sales to a third party, and that you will probably need to go to court to arrange the sale. In addition, there may be tax considerations involved in the sale, and the taxes due on large sums of money are not insignificant. If you are interested in selling your structured settlement, you will definitely want to discuss the sale with an attorney and a tax advisor beforehand. While structured settlements are designed to benefit those who receive them, there are times when it may be desirable or necessary to sell them. If you are considering selling your settlement, make sure that you weigh all of your options carefully. Once you agree to sell, you cannot get it back.

How To Selling A Structured Settlement ?

With the countless web sites, advertisements, legal jargon and complex issues surrounding structured settlements, it is easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated when you are simply searching for answers and straightforward information. Whether you’ve received a structured settlement already, or if you are just trying to better understand them, you’ve come to the right place for sifting through the messy details. What is a structured settlement? A structured settlement is a series of guaranteed payments (annuities) made over a certain period of time and is usually the result of an injury settlement or another situation in which you are awarded access to a substantial amount of money. It is the alternative to accepting an upfront lump sum. Structured settlements are individualized plans meant to help you cover present and future expenses. Working closely with an experienced attorney can help you to determine an effective structured settlement to give you the security of a fixed income over a set period of time. Example – how it might work: Melissa is injured in a serious car accident and is now unable to work for the next year. As a single parent, she has two young children to care for, not to mention her mounting medical expenses. She knows that she has to pay $25,000 in medical bills at the present time, and she knows that she will need surgery in a few months that will cost an additional $20,000. Her structured settlement can be set up to give her a lump sum to pay the present medical expenses right now, and be structured to give her an additional lump sum at the time of her surgery. It can also give her additional monthly payments equal to her salary for the year that she is unable to work, including an additional monthly payment to hire someone to help her care for her children while she is recovering from her injuries and medical procedures. Once Melissa goes back to work, monthly payments might cease or be reduced. Types of Structured Settlements Designated Period / Period Certain Annuities: Annuities with a designated period of time for the payments to be paid out. They can be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, etc. Upon your death, all remaining payments are made to you beneficiary. Life Annuity: Periodic payments for a guaranteed number of years (based on your life expectancy) or for life, whichever is up first. Again, the beneficiary receives any remaining payments should you die before the full amount is paid. Temporary Life Annuity: Pay you for a designated number of years if you are still living, so your annuity ends when you die. There’s no provision for a beneficiary to collect remaining payments. Life Contingent Lump Sum: You’ll receive a lump sum, provided you are alive on the due date. If you die before this date, your beneficiary is not entitled to the amount. Lump sum: You can set it up to receive the lump sum on a particular date, say, fifteen years from now. Your beneficiary will receive the lump sum on the future date if you have died before then. The Details Though structured settlements contain a great degree of flexibility during the decision-making process (how much money do I need now, how much money will I need in the future, what are my present needs?), once you agree to the terms and sign the agreement, you can NOT alter the provisions. It is highly recommended that you have an attorney and trusted broker help you to determine the best payment methods for your situation. You might want to ask the broker to come up with several different scenarios and payment schedules so you can get a comprehensive look at your options. So, even if your situation changes down the road, your payments will not. That’s why it is extremely important to be thorough and careful when creating your payment schedule. Inadequate Payments Unfortunately, life has a way of throwing off our well-thought-out and well-intentioned plans. Even if you’ve done all your homework, shopped around for the best broker, interviewed many attorneys and carefully planned an effective payment schedule, you may still incur a large unexpected expense. Should this kind of situation arise, and you are strapped for cash, you would love to be able to make some adjustments to your settlement plan. Of course, this is prohibited. But you do have another option. You might consider selling a portion or all of your remaining structured settlement payments to an interested third party. Deciding to sell Before you decide to sell, think about what you want/need the money for. An immediate medical expense, buying a home or the decision to go back to school are usually considered good reasons. Examine your needs and the needs of your family as well. Perhaps you want a new home. Do you have children approaching college age? If so, you’ll not only incur significant tuition expenses, you’ll also have less of a need for a larger home. Selling your payments will result in a loss from the full amount. Consider whether or not it is important for you to sacrifice the security and future total amount before you make a decision. You will have to understand the implications, benefits and pitfalls so you can feel comfortable making an informed decision. Will I get the full amount that I would receive over a period of time? No. The amount you would receive over a period of time is calculated by adding interest to the principal amount. Instead, you may receive the present-day value of the amount. This present-day value may have to be further discounted to cover the costs to do the deal. The rest will be sent to you in one lump sum. You might want to shop around to find out where you can get the best deal. Court Order To ensure that you will not be taken advantage of in this delicate process, the government introduced a new federal law in 2002 that requires you to seek court approval when you sell your structured settlement. This law works in conjunction with state laws to direct how the transaction will be completed. Not only does this law protect you, the seller, it also helps the insurance companies who fear that they will face tax consequences as a result of the sale. The law states very clearly that annuity owners and providers do not and will not owe taxes as a result of this transaction. This breaks down the barrier that you might normally face from a reluctant insurance company. Selling Options You do not have to sell the entire remaining amount, or any particular amount, if you so wish. Here are your selling options: Full amount: The purchaser calculates the present-day value of the payments and offers a lump sum Part of the payments: Only a specific number of the future payments are sold at their present-day value Percentages: You may sell a percentage of each payment and keep the remaining balance for yourself Pitfalls of Selling Shady brokers. Selling your payments will require you to contact a broker who can help take care of the proceedings. This means that you might run into some game-playing and/or manipulation tactics if you happen to be dealing with a shady broker. They may promise you a high quote, only to come back and say that they can’t do the deal as is unless they get more money from you. Other brokers may claim to be “qualified” when they have only completed a week-long course. Make sure you’re dealing with a broker who has a couple of years experience in structured settlements and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. You end up losing money. As mentioned earlier, you will not receive the total amount you’d receive over time if you opt for selling your payments. Therefore you lose some money and the security of future payments. It takes time. Though the federal law requiring court oversight in these proceedings helps protect you, it also delays you from receiving the money as soon as you might have hoped. If you need the money right away, this could frustrate you and hinder your plans for prompt payment. Normally once you decide to sell your payments the process can take as little as 4 weeks and as long as 12 weeks to obtain the court order and for you to receive your lump sum. The main benefit of selling your structured settlement payments is, obviously, that you will receive a lump sum of cash for which you can utilize in any way you choose. This gives you increased flexibility in using your money, and can provide peace of mind if you have an immediate expense that couldn’t be paid any other way.

Is Structured Settlement Company Too Good To Be True ?

An individual who receives a large cash award can take the services of a structured settlement company and avail the cash in a variety of ways. The settlement amount is paid by a defendant in litigation and it takes a long time for the beneficiary to acquire the total amount. A structured settlement company, in its capacity as a third party financial service provider, can help those who receive substantial amounts of money by offering them the money in a short period of time. A plaintiff who is to obtain a monetary award from a court in the form of a structured settlement may be in need of immediate cash to cover medical expenses or the cost of litigation. This may not be possible with a structured settlement; structured settlement companies can help in such situations by offering a lump sum for either the entire amount of the settlement or a portion of it. Structured settlement companies also offer the option of equity annuities that provide protection to the principal which earns an interest as per a guaranteed minimum or in relation to the stock market. Structured settlement companies are also capable of offering manageable access to large amounts of cash to those who win lotteries and sweepstakes. It is in the interest of the beneficiary to do a background check on the structured settlement companies they are comparing; one should go for a company that offers the most competitive rates and has a reputation for ethical dealing. All said and done it is important for an individual to first understand whether he actually needs the service of a structured settlement company. This is because these companies operate at a profit and the lump sum offered by them is less than the amount of structured settlement sold. Also, structured settlements are guaranteed and tax-free. This is not the case with a lump sum payment, which once in the hands of an individual may be difficult to manage. One should take the help of an attorney while evaluating structured settlement companies; attorneys help with the paperwork that can include Structured Settlement Agreement, Annuity Applications, and Qualified Assessments.

Almost Able To Getting Cash Now For Your Structured Settlement

If you’ve agreed to accept a structured settlement, it’s likely that you felt a sense of relief that your financial uncertainties were being resolved, and that you’d have the funds necessary to pay your bills, support your family and go on with your life. When you agreed to the terms of the settlement, hopefully with the help of a financial advisor, you accepted a series of financial payments that made sense for you at that time. Perhaps you’d suffered personal injury in an auto or other accident, you were awarded damages in a product liability case, or you were the victim of medical malpractice or were even the plaintiff in a wrongful death suit. You agreed to a periodic (usually monthly) payment, maybe in the form of a lifetime income stream, that seemed to be the answer to paying your ongoing living expenses and perhaps your medical costs. You made the best decisions you could at the time, with the information you had – based upon how life was then, and what you expected for the future. But life seldom works out as we expect. Maybe you’re on the road to recovery from the accident or other event for which you received the settlement, and want to move and buy a house, get married, go to school, or buy a business. Maybe medical bills or high interest debt is an undue burden on you that you need to resolve now. Or, if your family has grown, and your children no longer need for you to provide for their education or other expenses, you may want to spend more of the money you have coming to you now, instead of later. What can you do to match your finances – specifically your structured settlement – with the life you now have or want to have? You should always consult an attorney or a financial advisor, but here’s a basic overview of your rights and options in assigning your structured settlement: Settlements are funded by single premium annuities, issued by insurance companies. Instead of paying you a lump sum amount, the party found responsible for injury or damages to you has paid a one-time lump sum to an insurance company, which has, in turn, invested it. The insurance company has projected the interest rate or securities dividends they will receive on the lump sum, and based upon the length of time and number of payments you chose or were offered for the structured settlement, they calculated the periodic payment amount you’re now receiving. So who owns what? The insurance company owns the annuity, and you, as the beneficiary, are entitled to an income stream, or the series of periodic payments. Because you don’t own the underlying asset, the annuity, you therefore can’t sell the annuity contract to another party to receive your money. However, under federal and state law you can, with court approval, sell all or a portion of the payments you are entitled to receive in the future. In doing so, you can receive a lump sum cash payout now. What are your options? As an annuitant, or the beneficiary of the structured settlement annuity, you are, in most instances, able to assign to a third party the payments you are entitled to receive in the future. Some Structured Settlement Agreements state that payments cannot be assigned, and your legal counsel will advise you of options and alternatives if yours is written with such a clause. Fortunately, state laws and recent case law have rendered contracts written with such provisions unenforceable, although other regulations may apply. How can you determine today’s lump sum value of your structured settlement payments? This depends, in part, upon the amount of each payment and when it is due. The payment amount and schedule will be outlined in your Structured Settlement Agreement. It is also affected by the financial strength of the issuer of your annuity, because the better the financial position of the issuer, the more likely it is that the purchaser of your cash stream will be paid. The current financial climate, as well as interest rates will also affect your cash-out amount. Your financing company will explain these calculations and assumptions to you. What steps do you need to take? - First, you really need to take a hard look at whether receiving your funds now will truly be best for you and your family. This is a big financial step, not to be taken lightly. That said, your circumstances may have changed sufficiently so that a lump sum or partial payment in the form of a lump sum makes sense, and is better for your family’s current and future lifestyle and financial stability. - Next, contact a reliable financing company that purchases structured settlement income streams. They can guide you through the process and help you consider alternatives, such as the sale of a portion of your structured settlement income stream, if this best meets your needs. - The financing company will assist you by hiring an attorney experienced in structured settlement assignments. The attorney will explain to the court your desire to change your settlement, and any changes in your life that have caused you to make this decision. Because the attorney will be petitioning for judicial approval, he will need to understand your current finances, obligations and desires. - Having all your documentation and agreements, and furnishing them promptly to your advisors and potential funding sources is key to receiving a cash payout in the shortest possible time. Because court approval is required, the time from the initiation of the request to the final approval is typically 45-90 days. So, just as with other large financial decisions, such as obtaining a mortgage or refinancing, it’s in your best interest to begin the process with a little time to spare, before you feel a time crunch. You deserve an equitable deal, as quickly as is possible, not just the deal you can make in the very least amount of time. - What can you expect now? Once you have chosen a finance company and attorney, the courts will put you on the docket and hear your petition for receiving your funds in a lump sum. They’ll want details of the future payments due you, the proposed amount of the lump sum distribution, and any costs you will incur as a result of restructuring your settlement. Their basis for granting you an approval is satisfying themselves that the assignment of your payments to another party and receipt of current cash will be in your best interest and in the best interests of any dependents you may have. - Once you’ve agreed upon a lump sum amount with your finance company, and obtained court approval, you’ll receive a wire transfer or a cashier’s check for your lump sum amount. You’ll now have the cash you need – right when you need it most.

Way To Get Quick Cash For Your Structured Settlement .

Just because you have received a structured settlement for your lawsuit or insuracne claim, it does not mean you have to wait years to get the money you have comming to you. There are several settlement purchasing companies that will give you quick cash for your structured settlement. Such companies can pay cash for your entire structured settlement or purchase your remaining settlement payments. You can spend this lump sum payment on anything you wish such as a house, college tuition, business investments or debts. What Is a Structured Settlement? A structured settlement typically results from a personal injury lawsuit. This is an agreement where you agree to accept periodic payments over time in exchange for the release of liability of your claim. A structured settlement can provide payments in almost any manner that you choose. An example is a settlement that may be paid in annual installments over a number of years. Another is getting settlement payments in periodic payouts every few years. These kinds of payments are generally awarded through the purchase of one or more annuities from a life insurance company. Structured settlements can also be given with lottery winnings, contest prize money and any other situation where there is a substantial cash award. Structured Settlements May Not Always the Best Fit Structured settlements are designed to provide some long-term financial security to injury victims through payments that are tax free. For most people, the agreed upon structured settlement payment plan initially makes sense. However if a financial emergency, business opportunity, unforeseen medical expense, or a house purchase can put a strain on the injured party’s finances. In this case the structured nature of the settlement may get to be too restrictive to cover major financial purchases. A structured settlement may also not be the best option for investing. There are several other investment vehicles that can generate far greater long-term return than the annuities that are used in structured settlements. Therefore, some people may be better off getting cash for their structured settlement payments and then begin building their own investment portfolio. How Getting Cash for a Structured Settlement Works If you receive an award from your injury case, your attorney or financial advisor may very likely recommend getting periodic installment payments versus giving you a lump sum of cash up front for your structured settlement. Then an independent third party can purchase an annuity that will provide you with tax-free periodic payments. Companies that will offer cash for structured settlements have a variety of programs that will allow you to access any portion of your annuity. For an example, you may want to sell as few as four year’s worth of payments and receive a lump-sum payment while still enjoying some portion of your monthly payments. Or you could even sell your settlement for a large payment that is five or six years in the future. You could also customize an arrangement to get cash for a structured settlement based on your own unique needs. Here is an example of how obtaining cash for a structured settlement works: Let’s say you were in an accident seven years ago. The accident caused you to be hospitalized for several months and undergo nearly a year and a half’s worth of physical therapy. So you hire an attorney and sued the responsible individual-or, rather, the person’s insurance company. Ultimately, your attorney advises you that you will be awarded a substantial sum of money. After several months or years of negotiation, you receive a very nice sized settlement. However, the cash you will get upfront is only enough to cover the medical expenses you have accumulated. The rest of your compensation is scheduled to be paid out in regular installments through an annuity over the next 15 to 30 years. Instead of being restricted to a monthly or annual payments, you choose to contact a settlement purchaser to secure immediate cash for your structured settlement. You’re then able to use that cash to enhance your current cash flow-rather than waiting on periodic settlement payments. The Legal Issues of Receiving Cash for a Structured Settlement If you’re thinking about getting cash for your structured settlement, it’s important to contact a financial advisor. Most states have specific regulations that can limit the sale of structured settlements, so you will need court approval to receive cash for your structured settlement. Federal restrictions can also affect the sale of structured settlements to a third-party individual. Some insurance companies won’t transfer annuities to third parties. Also, before you even try to obtain cash for a structured settlement, be sure to do your homework. Make sure to check out multiple companies to see which one can offer you the most cash for your structured settlement. You may also want to examine their integrity, reputation and track record. This will help ensure you have the most positive experience obtaining cash for your structured settlement. Receiving cash for a structured settlement can very well be an ideal option if you need a lump sum of money to satisfy your immediate needs.