Rabu, 25 Oktober 2017

Strategies for Handling a Structured Settlement Cash Award

Many consider research to be dull and often boring. But some people love doing it. And few in this rare group are also skilled writers who present their results in an engaging and entertaining manner. Like the author of this article on structured settlement cash award.

Read it, and you'll see how nicely fact and skillful writing are woven into a nice little article that is instructive and useful.

A structured settlement involves cash payments on a regular schedule from one party to another as a result of a legal judgment or binding arbitration (or even a simple agreement between the two parties to avoid a legal confrontation). For many recipients, the lure of a big lump sum of structured settlement cash in their hands right away is overwhelming.

Enter structured settlement cash companies. They offer to buy structured settlements in return for one big payout to the recipient of the settlement. They make their money, of course, by offering only a percentage of the total settlement amount in return for giving the recipient a bundle of cash at one time. This happens all the time, although some critics believe it is borderline illegal, or at the very least distasteful.

If you're in this situation and you decide to pursue a lump sum alternative, do your homework! Investigate the structured settlement cash company's history thoroughly. Check with the Better Business Bureau, search the Internet, and by all means, hire a competent attorney. There are some tricky legal issues at play in these cases, and you don't want to have problems later on with the law or the structured settlement cash broker with whom you've made these arrangements.

It's smart to take some time after you learn that you'll be getting structured settlement cash to get over the emotional high and return to more rational thinking. There is much to recommend keeping the structured settlement as is - that is, taking regular payments over time instead of selling the settlement for fast cash. One advantage is the tax shelter an annuity provides. You can set it up, with the help of a skilled attorney, so that it provides you with payments that are tax-free.

Now, pay attention closely. What you're about to read will help you save hours of frustrating, wasted hunting, and let you hone in on some of the best material on this subject of structured settlement cash award!

However, often there are high fees associated with the management of an annuity. While the fees seldom come close to equalling the tax advantages, some people simply prefer a large lump sum in hand. Reasons include wanting to make a big purchase they've been putting off, such as a new home, or to pay down delinquent taxes or medical bills.

If you choose to sell your structured settlement cash award for a lump sum payout, it's vitally important to hire a lawyer. Don't let the $ signs in your eyes overrule the reasoning part of your brain. Slick companies have been known to settle with some folks for as little as one-third of the total amount of the structured settlement cash award! Those companies rely on a significant number of people who jump before thinking it through. This is why an attorney is so crucial. He or she can help keep you in the right frame of mind.

Other reasons to enlist the aid of a trained structured cash settlement lawyer include dealing with certain legal restrictions, tax implications, and related obstacles. It varies from state to state, so be careful. Whatever you decide to do with your structured settlement cash, arming yourself with the correct information for your situation is the key.

Now that you've learned something about structured settlement cash award, maybe you want more information or need greater detail about certain specific issues. Please visit Structured Settlement Tips [http://structured-settlement.creditreliefonline.com/] for more information.


Selasa, 10 Oktober 2017

Know the Risks and Advantages of a Structured Settlement Before You Settle Your Personal Injury Case

How does a structured settlement for personal injury differ from a settlement or award?

A settlement or judgment for a personal injury claim may be paid to the claimant by the defendant or the defendant's insurance company in a single lump sum payment. The majority of settlements are paid in this way.

But in cases where the claimant (plaintiff) settles or is awarded a large sum of money, they may elect to receive all settlement funds in steady payments or a one-time partial disbursement of the settlement funds with recurring payments disbursed over a period of years or decades. This is called a structured settlement.

An initial partial disbursement of a structured settlement can and should be used for immediate expenses including, but not limited to medical bills, medical devices, convalescence, therapy, career training, special housing and transportation requirements or any other necessities unique to the injured person. The remainder of the partial disbursement may be invested or posted to a banking account to be used for living expenses or unforeseen future necessary expenditures. After the bills are met, the claimant is free to decide what to do with the remaining partial disbursement of funds.

Advantages to structuring your settlement over time

Some studies indicate that recipients of very large lump sum settlements or "windfall" awards frequently run out of the funds necessary to sustain their disabilities throughout the remainder of their lives. Sadly, this scenario may occur when the parent or guardian of an injured child lacks the experience of managing a large sum of money. One of the advantages to a structured settlement distributed over a period of years is the economic security and well-being of the disabled or partially disabled person.

There are also tax advantages to structuring your settlement. Although settlements and awards for physical injuries are generally tax exempt, interest and dividends earned on the investment of a single lump sum asset is taxable. Even if all of the funds received in a structured settlement are invested, the annual tax obligation would likely be lessened due to a reduced investment stream.

Will I make decisions regarding the distribution of my structured settlement?

A structured settlement is funded by way of an annuity purchased by defendant for the behalf of the claimant. When you agree to settle your lawsuit by way of annuity, your personal injury lawyer will facilitate a consultation with a qualified economic and financial analyst who will calculate your monthly or annual financial needs against mortality and inflationary tables. A qualified and trusted financial advisor will discuss your goals and the options available to you, i.e. the sums you wish to receive and the length of time over which you may extend your payments. You may choose to end disbursement of your funds at a designated age, terminate payments upon your death or continue with payments made to your heirs through the remaining life of the financial instrument. You may even elect to withhold regular payments until you reach a certain age to fund your retirement.

Why do insurance companies offer annuities to injured parties?

Because funds are invested in an annuity (a financial instrument that is expected to grow over time) the initial investment made by defendant or defendant's insurance company is significantly less than the totality of the expected future income stream received by the claimant. Unless the claimant wishes to make a large purchase, such as a home, from a lesser settlement, say, for example, a settlement of $100,000., a structured settlement can be a win-win situation for both parties.