Is a First Party Special Needs Trust Right for Your Client?
Disabled individuals who expect to receive settlement proceeds may need to consider placing the proceeds into a trust account to preserve assets, protect government benefit eligibility, and help ensure that their needs are being met. A First-Party Special Needs Trust (sometimes referred to as a “d4A trust,” as a nod to the section of federal […]
The Top 5 Reasons to Consider a Structured Settlement
It can be overwhelming to accept settlement proceeds as the result of a personal injury, workers’ compensation, or wrongful death case. The money is often more than most people have handled at one time and in many cases, the claimant may not know what to do with it. It is important to work with a […]
Does a Settlement Impact Disability Benefits?
Disabled claimants may run into benefit issues when accepting proceeds from a personal injury settlement. The acceptance of a lump sum may render an individual ineligible for needs-based government benefits, while entitlement benefits remain intact. When it comes to disability benefits, which is which—and how can a claimant protect their eligibility? SSDI vs. SSI: […]
What is a Pooled Special Needs Trust- and is it the Right Option for Your Client?
If you are an attorney working with a disabled claimant, you’ll want to bring in a settlement planner to review your client’s options. When a disabled individual anticipates accepting proceeds from an injury settlement, certain steps must be taken to help the claimant maintain eligibility for needs-based government benefits (e.g., Medi-Cal, SSI) and preserve their […]
Is a Settlement Planner Necessary When Your Client Doesn’t Want to Structure?
A commonly held belief in the legal community is that settlement planners only provide structured settlement services. Unfortunately, that misconception can lead to missed opportunities to protect claimants’ long-term financial security. While we believe that structures are a valuable financial option for most personal injury settlements, not all cases will be the right fit for […]
Can A Structured Settlement Benefit Claimants of All Ages?
Claimants who will be receiving settlement awards may have questions and concerns about their finances and the well-being of their families. Whether a claimant is just starting out in life, is an adult with a family of their own, or has been retired for years, each has a unique set of needs. Utilizing a carefully […]
What Goods and Services Are Eligible for Special Needs Trust Distributions?
Disabled individuals who receive needs-based government benefits run the risk of losing eligibility if they accept a lump sum settlement. Fortunately, a special needs trust (SNT) may help the disabled individual maintain benefit eligibility while protecting their assets. The trustee of the special needs trust (e.g. a parent/guardian or a corporate trustee) is in charge […]
What Questions Should You Be Asking Your Client During Settlement?
When an attorney works with a personal injury or wrongful death claimant, the ultimate goal is generally to maximize the recovery for the claimant. While a large recovery is certainly beneficial to the claimant, it may not always be the best idea for the claimant to accept the settlement proceeds in the form of […]
5 Tips for Improving Client Satisfaction in 2017
Whether you are a seasoned attorney or just starting out, you likely understand the importance of keeping a steady stream of satisfied clients. And sometimes it takes a team to keep all clients happy. With that in mind, here are 5 ways your settlement planner can help increase your firm’s standard of client care […]
WILL A SPEND DOWN SAVE YOUR CLIENT’S BENEFITS?
Medi-Cal) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), assets are typically limited to $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for a married couple. For those on public benefits who receive a settlement, a special needs trust may help protect those benefits. However, in some cases, a spend down might be a better option. Special Needs Trust vs. Spend […]