Structured Settlements Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:53:00 +0000

Finding Out What Your Settlement is Worth

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 1:53 pm

Most persons receiving structured settlement payments will never need to sell their payments in the secondary market for structured settlements. However, it is likely a prudent step to find out what your payments might be worth just in case you need to sell some or all of them in the future. How do you go about doing that? Simple, just contact a legitimate structured settlement buyer and ask them what your payments are worth.

Before you call a company, assemble your documentation - including a copy of the settlement agreement and the annuity policy - this will help to speed up the process of getting a quote as the settlement purchasing company will know what the terms of your underlying annuity are.

When you speak with the company for a quote you can ask them to quote on not only the entire annuity but also for portions of the annuity payments, so you will have a good idea on the amount of flexibility you might have in shaping a transaction to fit your needs.

Popularity: 97% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:10:00 +0000

Using the Internet to Sell Your Structured Settlement Payments

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlements Pro @ 10:10 am

With the advent of the internet it has become easier than ever to sell your structured settlement payments. Just go on-line and do a search under the term “structured settlement”. Look for companies that have been in business for at least 15 years, which are Better Business Bureau members and have handled 1,000s of transactions. Contact them over the net or by phone, and get a free quote on the payments you want to sell. If they are really net savvy, they will be able to send you the paper work over the net and quickly conclude a transaction with you.

Using the net can speed up the process of closing a transaction and make it much easier experience!

Popularity: 92% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:26:00 +0000

Why Should I Avoid Dealing with a Structured Settlement “Broker”

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlements Pro @ 6:26 am

If you are receiving structured settlement payments and are interested in selling those payments, try to deal directly with companies that will buy the payment from you. There are some persons out there that claim to be willing to act as your “broker” to get you the best deal. You can usually do much better just looking for a company that will buy your payments directly from you. The reason is that the broker will charge you a fee for his or her services and that fee could easily exceed any price improvement they might achieve.

The companies that buy direct will give you competitive price quotes and there is simple no need to use a broker.

Popularity: 93% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:18:00 +0000

How Do I Know If I Am Dealing with A Legitimate Structured Settlement Buyer?

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 2:18 pm

If you receive structured settlement payments, you might have some interest in selling all or a portion of your settlement. How do you find a legitimate and trustworthy company that will buy your settlement? If your type in the words “structured settlement” on your computer you will get thousands of hits. It is not easy to figure out which of these “hits” are for real. Here are some simple guidelines to follow:

1. Look for a company that has been in business at least 15 years – this demonstrates that they are a sound financial company and have more likely than not been providing good service;

2. Look for a company that is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) member – this demonstrates that they take their reputation seriously;

3. Look for a company that lists its real address and phone number and is not just a web site

4. Look for a company that has completed 1,000s of transactions;
If you follow these rules you will find a reliable buyer for your payments that will be good to their word and whom you can trust.

Popularity: 94% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:55:00 +0000

“The Beginning” How the Industry Began

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlements Pro @ 6:55 am

Many years ago it became obvious to attorneys and others involved in serious tort litigation that some plaintiffs would be better off with a settlement where the payments would be made over time rather than all in a lump sum (a “structured settlement”). At that time the concern was primarily flowing from cases where the plaintiff needed to pay medical bills over their expected life. However, there were uncertainties under the IRS code on how to accomplish this without adverse tax consequences, and while creative tax attorneys felt that they had a workable solution, everyone involved realized that a clarification to the tax code would be preferable. In the mid-1980s the tax code was amended to expressly permit structured settlements of personal injury cases where the payments over time would remain tax free.

If an injured party chose a structured settlement the defendant or their insurance company, though a special purpose entity, would purchase an annuity that would fund the structured payments. The annuity is the source of the future payments dispersed at predetermined intervals for the length of the settlement agreement.

Structured settlements appear to be an acceptable financial option for the majority of people that select them. Nearly all structured settlements stay intact through the full intended term of the settlement. However, on occasion a settlement recipient my have a change in their life circumstances that requires them to have a larger sum of cash.

For this reason, states began passing legislation allow for a settlement recipient to convert their future payments into cash. The first state to pass the legislation was Illinois in 1998. Today 46 states have “transfer statutes” that allow settlement recipients in need to convert their future payments to into a lump sum.

Popularity: 97% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:45:00 +0000

95% of Structured Settlements Stay Intact

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlements Pro @ 1:45 pm

Nearly all structured settlement arrangements remain intact through the full intended term. Industry estimates approximate 95% of structured settlements remain whole for the length of the agreement.

This high statistic illustrates that most recipients of structured settlements are accepting of their decision to accept a structured settlement instead of a lump sum.

That means that only a minority ever encounters a situation where their needs have changed to the point where they have a more immediate need for cash and determine to sell some or all of their structured settlement payments. It is good to know that few ever have this situation but for those that do it is equally nice to know that they have options. Settlement recipients that are in need of cash can transfer all or some of their payments to a transfer company for a lump sum payment.

Popularity: 98% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:33:00 +0000

What is the value of your future payments?

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlements Pro @ 7:33 am

When considering selling some or all of your future payments for lump sum cash you may want to consider what you can get for your remaining payments. To properly determine how much your payments may bring today you need to factor in the “time value of money.”

The time value of money refers to the calculation of how much a future payment is worth in today’s dollars. The value of a future payment is less today than in the future as funds received today can be invested and earn a return. So the value of $100 dollars today is greater then the value of $100 in ten years from today.

To learn more about the Time Value of Money click here or call a Structured Settlement Transfer company that can tell you what they would pay for some or all of your future payments.

Popularity: 97% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:32:00 +0000

Sell Your Structured Settlement & Still Receive Payments

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlements Pro @ 1:32 pm

Most structured settlement recipients are not aware that it is possible to sell only a portion of a structured settlement and still receive future payments. In fact, it is actually common for recipients to sell only a portion of their payments to meet their immediate financial needs. This way they receive lump sum cash for the payments they transfer and maintain ownership of the remaining payments. They will continue to receive their scheduled payments for the portion of the settlement they did not sell.

One of the many benefits of selling future payments from a structured settlement is the flexibility. This option provides settlement recipients with the ability to meet their specific short term financial needs.

Popularity: 97% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:19:00 +0000

Why legislation allows for the sale of Structured Settlements?

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 11:19 am

This post will discuss the reasons why states passed the legislation to allow the sale of structured settlements.

The primary reasons states were petition to enable this legislation is the fact that in some cases a families best interest were no longer being served by their settlement payments. In the majority of the cases structured settlements are set up to help the recipient to manage their money over time and enable them to pay their financial obligations on a regular basis. This is particularly true when the injured party is no longer able to work and generate steady income.

However, sometimes circumstances change creating new and different priorities that may require a more immediate need for cash. This is where structured settlements are inflexible and don’t allow the recipient to switch their original settlement from a structured to a lump sum settlement within the framework of the original agreement.

States passed legislation to allow those receiving settlement payments and in financial need to cash in their future payments. This was the birth of a new industry with companies guiding recipients through the process and converting their future payments into cash.

Popularity: 100% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:27:00 +0000

When Not to Sell a Structured Settlement

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 2:27 pm

Structured Settlements are set up to take care of an injured parties financial needs overtime. Often the injured party is not able to work or generating regular income. The structured settlement provides income to pay bills and living expenses.

While the majority of all structured settlements remain intact throughout the intended term there are times when a recipient may need a larger sum of cash. In these cases one can opt to sell some or all of their future payments for a lump sum of cash. Those that are in need can turn to a structured settlement purchaser that will buy their future payments in exchange for the needed cash.

However, there are some instances where a recipient needs cash but would be better off not selling their structured settlement.

1. Rely on payments for everyday necessities: If your structured settlement is your only source of income and is only enough to pay for bare daily essentials then it is recommended that you keep your future payments in tact.

2. Too few payments remaining: If your future payments are set to expire in the coming 12-24 months it rarely makes sense to convert those to a lump sum payment.

3. Payments are too far out (over 30 years): For example, if you are receiving future payments that stretch over 40 years you are able to sell the first 30 years of payments but not the last ten. The future value of money will discount these payments to a level that is too difficult to predict or make a fair market value exchange.

Popularity: 100% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:52:00 +0000

Structured Settlement Industry Explained (Part 2)

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 2:52 pm

The last post described the role and benefits the “primary market” plays in the structured settlement industry. Today’s post will focus on the secondary market.

The secondary structured settlement market helps those individuals that have received a structured settlement but have had a “life change” or pressing financial need for a larger sum of cash. Examples may be someone going through a divorce or having a child that will be entering college or the accumulation of debt.

When a recipient has an immediate need for a larger sum of cash then their settlement payments provide, they have the option of converting their future payments to cash.

The secondary market not only meets the immediate need for cash but also provides flexibility so that one can choose to sell some or all of their payments depending on their situation. If they choose to sell some of their payments they will receive a lump sum payment as well as some of their continued payments for the original structured settlement.

Popularity: 67% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:27:00 +0000

Structured Settlement Industry Explained (Part 1)

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlements Pro @ 7:27 am

There are two sides to the structured settlement industry that often cause confusion. The next two posts will examine the differences between the “primary market” and the “secondary market” and the value each provides.

Primary Market
The primary structured settlement market helps negotiate structured settlements between an injured party and the defendant (often an insurance company). If the defendant offers to settle the case with a financial award the plaintiff often will have a choice of receiving a cash settlement or a structured settlement. A structured settlement is set up to make periodic payments to the injured party to help them meet their ongoing financial needs.

A “Primary Market” broker will help negotiate the terms of a structured settlement working with the injured parties attorney and legal counsel for the responsible party.
Structured settlements are widely accepted as an excellent financial arrangement with an estimated 97% of all settlements staying intact over the life of the agreement.

However, in some cases a structured settlement recipient may have change in their life circumstances which changes their financial needs that their settlement can’t meet. In these few cases the individual can consider converting some or all of their future payments to a lump sum in the secondary market.

Popularity: 44% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:53:00 +0000

What states allow the sale of a Structured Settlement?

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 1:53 pm

The first state to pass legislation enabling one to convert future payments to cash was Illinois in 1998. Since then 46 states have passed “transfer statutes” making it not only legal but easy for one to receive a lump sum payment for their settlement.

The four states that do not have legislation allowing for the sale of a settlement are:
● Wisconsin
● North Dakota
● Vermont
● New Hampshire

If you live in one of these four states you still likely can convert your payments into cash. Accommodations can be made to allow for this, contact a structured settlement transfer company for further assistance.

Popularity: 45% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:31:00 +0000

Tax Implications of Selling Structured Settlements

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 2:31 pm

When an injured party agrees to a structured settlement the payments they receive are tax free of both federal and state income taxes.

One myth is that selling your settlement payments will cause your tax status of the settlement to change. This is not true. When one sells some or all of their future payments for a lump sum of cash the money remains tax free. There are no negative tax implications to selling your structured payment.

Popularity: 45% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:30:00 +0000

The Legal Process

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 2:30 pm

This post will focus on the legal process you can expect to unfold during the sale of your structured settlement payments. As mentioned in the previous post it is not typically required to have a lawyer present at the court hearing unless you live in the few states that mandate it. The steps in the legal process are handled by the company you are transferring your payments to and include:

1. Contact local legal counsel
There will be an attorney present provided by the company you are working with to convert your payments to cash. The attorney will handle the process and the proceedings on your behalf.

2. File petition with the court
The attorney will file a petition with the court regarding your request to sell some or all of your future payments.

3. Requests a hearing and court date:
The attorney will request a court date for a judge to review your case.

4. Send notice of transaction to all interested parties:
A notice is sent to all interested parties to inform them of your intention and of the court date.

5. Go to court:
The attorney will handle the proceedings and request the judge to approve the sale of your settlement payments.

6. Receive signed order:
The judge (typically) will approve your request and sign an order allowing the transfer of your future payments into cash.

Popularity: 44% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:10:00 +0000

Do You Need a Lawyer to Sell Your Structured Settlement?

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 8:10 am

The process of selling structured settlement payments for a lump sum requires going to court and receiving a judge’s approval.

However, whether or not you need a lawyer is primarily up to the state you live in. Most states do not require the recipient to have legal representation. Although, the company you are working with to convert you payments to cash will have a lawyer present to assist in the proceedings.

There are, however, eight states that do require you to have a lawyer with you at the court hearing:

● Alaska ● Maryland
● Delaware ● Minnesota
● Louisiana ● North Carolina
● Maine ● Ohio

In states where an attorney is required you can expect some help from the company you are working with to sell your payments. They will assist with the court and legal process to make the transaction easy and quick.

Popularity: 27% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:24:00 +0000

When Does It Make Sense to Sell Your Structured Settlement?

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 9:24 am

A structured settlement is the financial award resolving a personal injury case that makes ongoing, periodic payments to the injured party to take care of their financial obligations over time.

Structured settlement plans are largely successful in accounting for all the future needs of a recipient but there are always a few exceptions. Life events can change ones financial position or needs requiring a larger amount of cash then their payments provide.

There are many reasons why a settlement recipient would want to sell their future payments including:

Debt/Bills: Pay off mounting credit card or medical bills piling up creating a large financial burden.

Education: Pay for a child’s college education.

Housing: Make a down payment on a home to receive affordable monthly payments.

Whatever the reason, it is possible to sell your future payments for cash. In addition, you have the flexibility of selling all of your future payments or just a portion. If you only sell some of your structured settlement payments you can receive a lump sum cash payment and still receive some of your future payments.

Popularity: 26% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:33:00 +0000

Process of Selling Structured Settlement

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 8:33 am

While it is common for structured settlement recipients to transfer some or all of their future payments for cash it is not an instant transaction. There is a process that includes getting court approval to exchange future settlement payments for a lump sum cash payment. There are companies that specialize in guiding you through the process making the transaction easy. The following are some of the typical steps in the process:

1. Sign a contract that outlines the number of payments you wish to sell and the amount of money you wish to receive.

2. Provide any supporting documentation regarding your settlement

3. Schedule a court date to request the approval of the sale of your future payments

4. Attend court and receive the Judges approval for the transaction

5. Receive a lump sum cash payment by check or wire

The process can take 6-10 weeks depending on how busy the courts are at the time of your request.

Popularity: 25% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:27:00 +0000

Do You Need to Go to Court to Sell a Structured Settlement?

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlements Pro @ 6:27 pm

If you have a structured settlement and are considering selling some or all of your future payments for cash you should be aware of the process involved.

Structured settlement terms are agreed upon by the involved parties and then approved by a Judge. If you wish to sell your structured settlement in the majority of cases you will need a Judges approval. However, there is nothing new about transferring future payments for cash and there are companies that specialize in purchasing structured settlement payments. These companies will guide you through the process and make it easy to receive a lump sum cash payment.

Popularity: 24% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:14:00 +0000

A Structured Settlement Sale May Help Sellers

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlement Expert @ 2:14 pm

A structured settlement is an arrangement following a personal injury case. While in the past many claimants who have settled a personal injury case may have received their settlement in full, today they may agree to a structured settlement. A structured settlement allows for the payment of the settlement through payments made on a regular basis.

The structured settlement payments are made through a third party annuity that is set up for this purpose. Those who are responsible for the payments make them directly to the annuity that in turn makes the regular payments to the claimant.

However, there may come a time when the money from a structured settlement would be more useful to a claimant in one lump sum; and so at this point they may decide to sell their future structured settlement payments in exchange for this lump sum of money.

If it is a claimant’s desire to sell their structured settlement payments they may work with a reputable purchasing company to exchange all or part of their future payments in exchange for a lump sum of cash.

Popularity: 25% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:37:00 +0000

A Structured Settlement Transfer

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlement Expert @ 8:37 am

As a part of a personal injury case there may be a financial arrangement made as part of an out of court settlement. While in the past a claimant in such a case would have received a total lump sum payout, today they may decide to receive a structured settlement. A structured settlement delivers the settlement amount in payments over time rather than all at once.

Such payments are made at regular intervals and continue through the life of the structured settlement. But it may be that such an arrangement does not suit the needs of its recipients. It may be that a lump sum of money may be necessary for a claimant at some point during the life of a structured settlement.

In such situations a structured settlement recipient may chose to sell all or part of their future payments. A purchasing company will transfer these future payments for a lump sum of money for those recipients who wish to seek this arrangement.

Popularity: 24% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:10:00 +0000

A Structured Settlement Sale Can Help Avoid Foreclosure on Your Home

Filed under: Structured Settlement — Structured Settlement Expert @ 2:10 pm

When a personal injury case is settled out of court it is often done so through the arrangement of a structured settlement. A structured settlement is a payment arrangement wherein a settlement recipient receives their money through payments over time rather than all at once. Such structured settlement payments are made through an annuity that is funded for this purpose and payments are sent on a regular basis to the recipient.

There may come a time, however, when a structured settlement recipient would rather have a lump sum of money to fund specific needs such as the purchase of a home. In fact, this may be one of the important uses for a structured settlement sale – especially if the structured settlement recipient and their family have fallen upon hard times. In this case, having the money in hand to purchase or save a home can be invaluable for the structured settlement recipient’s future.

By selling all or part of their future structured settlement payments recipients can receive a lump sum of money from the purchasing company; money they can use to fund important life events such as purchasing a home for themselves and their family, or avoiding foreclosure.

Popularity: 23% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:57:00 +0000

Structured Settlements Sales Can Change Lives

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlement Expert @ 4:57 pm

Life can change in an instant; just when you have everything planned out, a corner is turned and suddenly everything is different. The lesson of life is being able to take these twists and turns and do what you can to make it fit your new reality. When injuries occur, however, the future can certainly be challenging. Those who are involved in a personal injury case may receive a financial settlement. And in many cases such financial settlements are paid through the terms of a structured settlement.

A structured settlement is a financial arrangement through which the recipient is paid their money through a series of payments instead of all at once. Such payments may generally work for recipients for some time as they know when their payments will arrive and how much they can expect – certainly a benefit for budgeting.

However, if structured settlement recipients at some point desire or require a lump sum of cash, they may choose to sell all or part of their future structured settlement payments. Purchasing companies will take possession of the portion of structured settlement that recipients wish to sell; in exchange, the purchasing company pays the recipient a lump sum of cash - cash that can be used for education expenses or debt settlement that can change the course of a family’s future.

Popularity: 42% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:10:00 +0000

The Flexibility of Structured Settlements

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlement Expert @ 8:10 pm

The end result of a personal injury case may often be the creation of a structured settlement. Those claimants who are awarded a sum of money following a personal injury case may sometimes be given a lump sum, but sometimes they are given a structured settlement arrangement through which they receive payments on a scheduled basis.

Structured settlement payments are sent directly from a third party annuity that has been set up according to the terms of a settlement agreement. The responsible parties are held accountable for funding the annuity. The claimant is then sent their payments from the annuity throughout the life of the structured settlement.

While details regarding total amount, payment schedule, and payment amounts are decided upon at the creation of a structured settlement, there is still flexibility provided to the recipient. In fact, should a need or desire for a lump sum of cash arise – rather than the continued payment structure – the recipient can choose to seek the sale of their future structured settlement payments.

By selling all or part of their future structured settlement payments, recipients have the ability to procure a lump sum of cash through a purchasing company.

Popularity: 42% [?]

noreply@blogger.com (Stone Street Capital) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:54:00 +0000

The Possibilities of Structured Settlements

Filed under: Structured Settlements — Structured Settlement Expert @ 9:54 am

Oftentimes following a personal injury case those a plaintiff can be provided with a structured settlement arrangement. A structured settlement is a payment arrangement through which the recipient is paid the financial award through scheduled payments. Such payments are sent from a third party annuity that has been funded specifically for this reason by the responsible party; and the payments continue until the culmination of the structured settlement.

While recipients may often feel that they are locked into their payment schedule, the reality is that there are several possibilities that are open to them. If the desire is to receive a lump sum of cash rather than to continue receiving payments, recipients may choose to investigate the sale of their structured settlement payments.

In fact, recipients can choose to sell all of their future structured settlement payments or they may choose to sell just a part of their future structured settlement payments. In return, a purchasing company will pay the recipient a lump sum payout according to current market value.

Popularity: 41% [?]