News and Tips on structured settlement transfers.

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18
Nov 13

Why Lump Sum Payments are Avoided by the Courts

Injury due to the negligence of an individual or company may entitle you to a monetary settlement to help ease pain and suffering, and provide you with the means of paying off your expensive medical or legal bills. When you go to court, a judge will hear both sides of the case, weigh the facts carefully, and then make a decision based on the information gained during the court proceedings. This can often result in an award of a very large sum of money. And though it would be nice to get all that money in one whack, chances are good that it won’t happen in quite that way. Many times, judges simply won’t award money in a large lump sum.

Cause and Effect

Most of the time, a court will avoid paying out these large sums at once because of the effect it can have on a defendant’s financial situation. A huge lump sum, paid all at once, can ruin an individual and put companies out of business, affecting not just one person, but many, many people negatively. This can also prevent you from ever collecting the amount owed you through the settlement.

Advantages of Structured Payments

Though it can be good to get your money in a lump sum payment, there are benefits for courts who avoid handing out large settlements in one lump sum. By setting up a structured payment plan, courts can be assured you won’t blow through your award in a very short time, guaranteeing you a reliable income that can sustain you for the long term.

Another Option

If a court does decide that structured payments would be better for you in the long run, you still have an option if you feel you have a definite need for a lump sum cash payment. There are companies who will buy your settlement for a percentage (selling your settlement or annuity will never get you the full amount of your award), granting you access to more of your money than you would normally receive by monthly payments.

Facing these challenges is always better with a trusted and honest broker to assist you when starting the process of selling your settlement. Utilizing a broker can give you the advantage you need to keep yourself on a solid financial footing, and give you what you need in order to move ahead with your dreams and goals for the future.

22
May 13

Reputable Companies Offer Cash for Structured Settlements

Every day there are individuals that receive a structured settlement annuity as their award in a civil lawsuit, as a result of injury or damages incurred at the hands of another. Many times, the annuity is payment for misconduct, negligence, or medical malpractice. Sometimes the amount of the monthly annuity payment is not enough to cover the expenses of the claimant, who might have to seek cash for their structured settlement as a way to survive.

Awarding a Structured Settlement

Courts often accept structured settlements as the method for paying the award. To the judge, it might offer significant advantages to the claimant in that it provides a monthly payment to meet living expenses, pay for education costs or even offer retirement income. Sometimes, it works as an effective tool to minimize the ability of the claimant to spend the bulk of the award in their early years, having no funds left as they age.

Terms and Conditions

The problem with agreeing to the terms and conditions of a structured settlement is that it cannot be changed, deferred, increased, decreased, or accelerated. Any time the claimant’s life changes, he or she is still stuck with the original arrangement of the structured settlement annuity. When this happens, many claimants seek ways to find cash for structured settlements they own.

There are numerous reputable companies that eagerly pay cash for structured settlements. However, before selling, the claimant or beneficiary of the annuity should determine exactly how much cash they require. The full amount of the structured settlement does not have to be sold, as companies are eager to purchase even a small portion of the annuity.

Once the determination has been made on the value of the structured settlement, an offer or quote will be made. It is advisable to obtain at least three separate quotes from different companies that offer cash for structured settlements, to ensure the beneficiary is receiving an adequate amount.

18
Apr 13

Who are the NSSTA

The National Structured Settlement Trade Association is the authority in the world of structured trade settlements. If you receive or are about to receive a structured settlement or annuity, then knowing about this organization and what they represent can be very important to you and your financial situation. They have a major role in the industry, and understanding what they do is vital for anyone about to begin a settlement payment plan.

The Beginning

The National Structured Settlements Trade Association was established in 1984, after landmark changes to the United States Tax Code made structured payments and annuities much more prevalent in society. The organization was created to help benefit individuals working within the structured settlement industry, including attorneys, consultants, insurance professionals and others. Currently, the organization represents almost 1,200 members across the nation.

Honest and Dependable

The National Structured Settlements Trade Association is founded on the principles and ideas of honesty and integrity. They strive to provide the most competent, fair and honest services they can to all clients who are about to begin the process of attaining their structured settlements. Dedicated professionals, they provide confidentiality for all their members and everyone they represent.

Noteworthy Benefits for Their Clients

The National Structured Settlements Trade Association offers certain advantages to the people who understand the benefits they offer. Any private citizen or organization that might be entering a structured settlement agreement can get peace of mind, integrity and security by knowing about and taking advantage of these benefits. But how exactly do they provide these types of benefits and advantages to their clients?

Knowing what to look for when you decide to sell your settlement or annuity is perhaps the most important thing for you to know. Working with a broker when you decide that you would prefer a lump sum payment over a regular settlement payment can help you get many offers that might be right for you, and enable you to compare them and their companies to find one that is best for you. A broker accredited with both the NSSTA and the BBB will ensure you are getting the best brokerage assistance, assistance that is knowledgeable and reliable.

The NSSTA, and their team of experts, can ensure you’ll integrity and excellence of service if you will be dealing with any of the inner workings and processes of a structured settlement plan or annuity.

If you need help selling your structured settlement, annuity or lottery payments,
contact us today. We are here to answer your questions and help you obtain the
highest possible price for your payments.

26
Mar 13

How to Sell Your Annuity Payments

In the long run, annuity payments can provide a reliable and stable source of income. However, many annuities will be paid over a considerable amount of time, such as lifetime payments, which can go a long way toward providing for those with limited income potential. As ideal as structured payments are, however, they might not be perfect for every situation or instance. They may not be right for you as well, if you are considering selling your annuity payments.

What are Your Needs?

You can’t sell your payments for something trivial, like an RV or a vacation. Any planned structured settlement transfers – such as your annuity – go before a judge who will look at all the facts of your case. Once there, you will have to demonstrate your actual need to his satisfaction – your need for a transfer must be vital or urgent before it will be approved.

Look for Buyers

If the judge determines your need warrants a sale or transfer of your structured settlement payments, you will need to find companies who buy settlements and annuity payments. There are many companies to choose from, but it can be hard to locate and contact a reputable and trustworthy company. You will need to put in a lot of time and effort to find a company that can satisfy your needs. After locating a few possible companies, you’ll need look over and compare the offers they will make to you.

Choosing the Right Company for You

Researching companies and entertaining offers can be a daunting task to take on by yourself, but there are alternatives to making a go of it alone. Many experienced structured settlement companies have contact with some of the most reputable and trustworthy buyers of settlements and annuities. Using a competent broker can be invaluable when selling your annuities. With the right structured settlement broker, you could start receiving offers shortly after completing and turning in your information to them.

Perhaps the biggest benefit to using a settlement broker is having a competent and skilled advisor working on your behalf to ensure you receive offers from the most reliable and trustworthy companies, eliminating the fear of finding yourself trapped by an underhanded, predatory company who only care about getting your money. A helping hand can provide some significant peace of mind, and a competent structured payment settlement broker can provide this, and more, when you choose to let them help your sell your annuity.

9
Feb 13

Choosing Between Structured Settlement Buyers

Though many structured settlements are set up through a judge, they are not set in stone. While a structured settlement payment plan may be right for some people, for others it may no longer be the best for their changing and varied financial needs. These people may have immediate needs for a lump sum, such as paying for tuition or taking care of past due bills and obligations. However, there are companies out there that will purchase your settlement, providing you with the lump sum of cash you need to remedy your situation. When you decide to look for a company to care for your financial need, there are several things you must take into consideration.

Shop Around

One of the most important things you must understand is that not all companies who buy settlements and annuities are the same. There are good, trustworthy companies out there, but there are also shady and unscrupulous ones, and it is important for you to be able to spot the differences between these companies to avoid making a grave financial mistake. How do you know who to trust? Comparing the companies, as well as their offers, is the key to making the best decision possible.

Important Criteria When Comparing Companies

When choosing the right company for you, there are several criteria you should think about before making your final decision. All offers must be legal in your state and jurisdiction, for example. You should also make sure your company is offering the greatest percentage of your annuity or settlement. Of course, you will not receive 100% of the money owed to you through these settlements and annuities, but you should be able to get most of your money without worry.

Of course, you may only want to sell a portion of your annuity or settlement, and there are companies who are happy to do this as well. This way, you can get the cash you need for your situation without giving up the steady and reliable income a regular payment provides.

Consider Hiring a Brokerage Firm

Utilizing the services of a broker can help you make those all important decisions regarding your settlement or annuity. Choose a broker with the knowledge and experience of years of customer service, and a reputation for doing what it takes to get people the offers that best suit their unique individual financial needs.

4
Feb 13

The Advantage of Utilizing a Structured Settlement Broker

If you need the money you have been awarded from a settlement immediately, selling your settlement to a structured settlement broker is a very good choice. This is especially true if you are struggling through financial problems. Getting your money now can be essential when faced with mounting medical bills, bill collectors, and a loss of employment. Though, you should not try selling your settlement without the services of an expert in the field.

Making the Right Choice

Structured settlement offers can vary widely from company to company. Some companies may only want to purchase part of your settlement payments. Other companies might charge outrageous percentages and fees, meaning you will get less of your settlement than you actually deserve. Other companies could have a less than stellar reputation with the public. No matter your situation or specific needs, a structured settlement broker can help you make the best decision for you.

Quick, Competent Service

Another reason to go with a structured settlement broker is how quickly they can assist you with getting offers. Getting offers may take a while, because it can take a long time just to find a buyer if you attempt to do it on your own. However, when you enlist the services of a structured settlement broker, you could start receiving offers in no time at all. For people facing financial difficulties, getting things done quickly can be a lifesaver, because the quicker they get some offers, the quicker they can get the money they so desperately need.

Looking After Your Best Interests

Not all of the companies out there that buy structured settlements may be right for your particular situation. Some companies may have bad reputations, while others simply may not have terms that are right for you. A competent structured settlement broker can help you to look after your own best interests, and find a reputable buyer dedicated to giving you what you need to meet your needs and goals.

Utilizing a reputable broker will help provide access to a large selection of qualified buyers, help you find the information you need to make informed decisions, and help guide you through the process of selling your settlement. Regardless of how easy those late night infomercials make it seem, selling your structured payments can be a difficult task. An expert structured settlement broker can help you with the process and remove some of the difficulty for you.

30
Jan 13

Can a Structured Settlement Transfer be Blocked by the Court?

Many people rightfully think that the decision of how to best use their resources, like money, is theirs to make. This is especially true of annuities and structured settlements, although that might not actually be true. Many states have laws in place dictating how structured settlements are dealt with, especially transfers or sales. Can a court really block the transfer of a structured settlement? The most honest reply to that question is yes, the court can deny the transfer of a settlement, but there’s a little more to it than that.

A Little Investigating

You have to know about the history of the structured settlement brokerage industry to really know what’s going on. The predatory nature of some companies has caused many states and consumer advocates to hold a low opinion of structured settlement transfers. Preying on the desperate and needy, these companies convince them that the best option for their financial situation is selling their structured settlements.

Most states, however, now have laws on the books to protect consumers from these types of predatory companies. One of the immediate benefits of this is that all transfers or sales must go before a judge, who will determine if the transfer is in the payee’s best interests. In many cases, the judge denies the transfer, not allowing the sale to take place.

The Criteria for Denying a Transfer

The reasons for denying the sale or transfer of a structured settlement are many and varied. One of the most common reasons is that allowing the sale or transfer is “not in the payee’s best interests”. This can mean virtually anything, although there does seem to be mitigating factors. For example, there’s a good chance that the court will reject the transfer if the funding firm recommends that the payee seek legal counsel before entering into a transfer arrangement. The proposal will then be rejected if the court does not find proof of a real financial need on behalf of the payee.

Additionally, if the transfer is not deemed “fair and reasonable” the court may reject it. For example, chances are very good that they will not approve of the proposal if the funding firm offers a payout of only 50% of the total payments for the life of the settlement.

It is easy to see that there are many factors that could lead a court to reject the transfer of a structured settlement. Showing a real financial need, and working with a firm that’s offering fair terms, is your best defense against a court denying your sale.

26
Dec 11

Buying Structured Settlements for a Lump Sum of Cash

So I am looking for someone to buy my structured settlement payments. Before I do this, I need to determine a couple of things. First, is this a good idea for me? Second, where do I turn when I want people to buy the rights to these payments? Once I answer these two questions, I will have a much better feeling on where my next move might lie. There are companies out there that specialize in buying structured settlement payment rights. They essentially assume your role and the person to be paid, buying structured settlement payments from you for a lump sum of cash.

Is it smart for me to sell my structured settlement payment rights?

Know that each person is different and this means that each person will have different motivating factors in regard to whether it makes sense to sell structured settlement payments. If you are a person with immediate money needs, then it does make sense to sell out for a lump sum. What kinds of needs might these be? For many, this will mean paying off the bills associated with a personal injury situation. For others, it might just mean paying off bills or getting themselves out of a difficult financial hole.

Other people do not have pressing financial needs at the current time, so the decision becomes a little bit more difficult for them. If I were in that situation and I were thinking about having someone buy my structured settlement payments, then I might first think about what I could do with the money. Some people want a lump sum payment right now because they feel that they have an angle on a good investment opportunity. If you have some means of investing the money to make it grow, then having a lump sum right now is much better than collecting structured settlement payments over the course of an extended time.

For all people, having money right now is better than having the same amount in the future. You remove the risk associated with receiving money later. Ultimately taking a lump sum now will cost you some cash, since the lump sum will be less than the value of the settlement payments. Many individuals feel that they can make up the difference with their investments, though.

So who would be buying structured settlements?

There are companies that buy the rights to your structured settlement payment receipts. These companies jump into your shoes and collect these periodic payments. They offer you a lump sum amount that is ideally enough to make you happy. It is key to find the company that offers the best deal with their lump sum so that you are getting premium value in this deal.

25
Dec 11

Buy My Annuity Payments

There are lots of different ways to fall into an annuity. Some people receive them as compensation for years of work. Others receive them through settlement plans from some lawsuit or potential lawsuit. Others still purchase annuities as a means of investment. When you get the annuity, you almost always think that you will be fine with collecting the money slowly over time. But circumstances can change. Life is such that things are almost always changing and you might need the money right away instead of over the course of time. If I wanted someone to buy my annuity payments, I would need to weigh the decision and make a proper determination first and foremost.

Should I get someone to buy my annuity payments?

This is largely a loaded question. My situation and your situation are likely to be different. If you find yourself in a place where a lump sum of cash would do a great amount of good, then it can make sense to sell your annuity payments to a company that is willing to offer an acceptable lump sum. If you have some investment idea or some pressing need for the money, then you would be wise to get someone to buy your annuity payments for cash right now. Before you make this decision, you need to analyze whether or not it makes sense to you.

In order to do that, one must first understand the time value of money. The basic fundamentals of economics tell us that money right now is better than money in the future if the amount is the same. This is because of all the things that you can do with the money. Inflation is such that the same amount of money now will be worth less in the future. Likewise, if you have investment possibilities, then you could potentially make the money grow at a rate that makes sense. These are things that you will need to think about as you decide whether or not to sell your annuity payments.

Selling your annuity payment rights

You might have guessed by this point that the company that buys your annuity payments will pay a discounted price for them. That is how they make money. Whether or not it makes sense to make this sacrifice ultimately depends upon the price you are getting. You will have to sacrifice something to get the money up front, but you shouldn’t give up too much value. A smart consumer will shop around and settle on the best possible annuity buyer. Some companies are very good at giving you a lump sum quickly. Do your research and work with a reliable, reputable company if you are going to sell your payment rights.

14
Jul 11

Making Sense of Selling Your Structured Settlement

When you want to sell your structured settlement payments some companies you may talk to will feed you the oh so popular line that “It’s your money” do do with as you please. Well, yes. It is your money. And, yes. You may spend it however you like. What the often won’t mention is that sometimes the reason for selling is valid, and sometimes your reason just doesn’t make good financial sense.

If you’re planning on going on a holiday shopping spree and need a little extra cash to fill the stockings, your structured settlement is not a good place to look for dollars. However if you have gotten yourself into a situation where you are drowning in debt at very high rates, it may make financial sense to use part of your settlement to clear the books.

When faced with a serious financial crunch, some people hastily sell their annuities and structured settlements to the first company who would be willing to buy them for a lump sum amount. These companies who are willing to buy-out annuities and structured payments are commonly referred to as “Factoring” companies, because they use “Factors” to determine how much future payments are currently worth, and how much they should buy them for.

Many companies that advertise structured settlements web make the process seem easy. The process of selling your structured settlement can be a complicated legal process that requires court approval and can take up to 90 days to complete. Structured settlements are not available in every state.

Selling your settlement under some of these scenarios can save you money and ensure you keep a solid credit rating, however it is critical to note that if you are going to sell all or part of your settlement to pay off credit card debt, you must have a plan to keep that debt from creeping back up on you or it will all have been for nothing. This requires making a future budget and possibly consulting with a financial counselor to figure out how to keep out of such a financial mess in the future.

Your structured settlement or annuity is the foundation of your financial future. If you find yourself in financial need now, you should at the very least give yourself a couple more weeks to shop your deal to the competition.

You might be telling yourself that you cannot afford to wait, but the truth is that you cannot afford to take the first bid that you are offered. In some cases, jumping at the first offer could be the equivalent of financial suicide to a structured settlement owner.

It’s important to speak and deal with a company that knows the process well and can take you through it smoothly.

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