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 […]
What is a Certified Financial Transitionist®- and How Can Your Clients Benefit from Using One?
When an individual suddenly receives a large sum of money, it can be overwhelming. Even if the influx of money is the result of positive circumstances, many find it difficult to determine the best course of action for managing the funds. Traditional financial advisors may be missing out on a key aspect of this process […]
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 […]
Attorneys: Are You Minimizing Your Tax Obligations?
Today is the deadline to file 2016 tax returns and once again, you may have found yourself stuck with a large tax obligation. Every year, thousands of attorneys pay more in taxes than they need to because they haven’t explored all of their tax minimization strategies. But did you know that lawyers who earn contingent […]
Settlement Planning: A Case Study
Whether your client is a minor child, a working age adult, or an elderly claimant, a settlement planner can be a valuable addition to your team. Unlike a broker or a financial advisor who focuses solely on the finances, a settlement planner takes a more comprehensive approach to settlements, considering additional factors such as living […]
Settlement Planner Spotlight: Traci Kaas, CSSC, CeFT
Primary Office Location: Orange County, California Why did you choose to become a settlement planner? I don’t think I chose to be a settlement planner as much as it chose me. I strongly feel that your past shapes your present. There was a time in my life that I would have made different decisions during a […]
Settling a Minor’s Case? Know Your Client’s Options
If your client is a minor receiving a settlement, you know that the financial decisions made now can have a long-term impact on your client’s financial future and quality of care. What you may not be aware of are the various investment options available for a minor’s settlement, as each state has different guidelines […]