Settlement Options for Minors: Case Examples

When handling a minor’s case, contact Traci Kaas early in the process to explore the settlement options. Courts favor a conservative approach that protects the funds until the minor reaches the age of majority. Because a minor cannot own an investment, traditional financial vehicles such as 529 plans and mutual fund accounts are off the […]

Are You Failing to Retain your Own Settlement Planning Expert?

When it comes to settlement, each side should engage their own experts. The claimant is entitled to representation by a plaintiff-loyal settlement professional, rather than relying solely on a defense broker engaged by the liability insurer or self-insured defendant. Most defense brokers have alliances with the liability insurer, meaning they have a conflict of interest […]

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 […]

Are Factoring Companies Reaching Your Clients With This New Approach?

You’re probably familiar with the television commercials inviting viewers to sell their structured settlements for “cash now.” Factoring companies like the ones you see on television purchase structured settlement annuities in exchange for lump sum cash payments. Recently, one of our team members noticed a new way that factoring companies are trying to reach your […]

Using Structured Settlements to Resolve Workers’ Compensation Claims

If you have ever been injured on the job, you know how overwhelming it feels to try and replace your income while you and your family try to adjust to a new normal. Workers’ compensation rules vary by state and often provide only limited assistance for the injured individual. Structured settlements, on the other hand, […]

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 […]

Are Structured Settlement Annuities Still Worth It?

When Congress enacted the Periodic Payment Settlement Tax Act of 1982, the Federal Tax Code was amended to provide special tax treatment for certain types of settlement proceeds. Proponents for the change had recognized the need to offer financial protection for individuals involved personal injury and wrongful death settlements. The revision to the tax code allowed […]

What Types of Cases Can Benefit From a Non-Qualified Settlement?

Structured settlements are a tool for claimants involved personal injury, wrongful death, and workers’ compensation cases. By structuring settlement proceeds into a series of periodic payments, claimants can take advantage of a number of benefits, including a long-term source of tax-free income. But what if your settlement isn’t from an injury case? Can you still […]