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 […]

Lump Sum vs. Structured Settlement: What’s the Better Choice?

  Claimants involved in personal injury, wrongful death, and workers’ compensation cases have multiple options for handling their proceeds. While some may believe that a lump sum cash payment is the ideal method of accepting the proceeds, it may be more beneficial to place all or a portion of the proceeds in a structured settlement […]

Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Assignments: What Do They Mean for Settlement Proceeds?

When it comes to placing settlement proceeds or attorney fees in an annuity, claimants and attorneys may find themselves confused about the tax implications associated with the annuity payments. They may hear the words “qualified” and “non-qualified” discussed—but how do those terms relate to settlement proceeds? Structured Annuities: How They Work If a claimant decides […]

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 […]

Is it Wise to Structure Non-Injury Settlements?

Structured settlements are typically associated with personal injury, wrongful death, and workers’ compensation settlements. The federal tax code permits income tax exclusion for structured settlements used in injury cases, but when it comes to non-injury settlements, are structures still a favorable option? Qualified Assignments vs. Non-Qualified Assignments When a claimant elects to place settlement proceeds […]

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 […]

Which Government Benefits are Affected by a Settlement—and Which Ones Aren’t?

  Last week, the Senate unveiled its new version of the American Healthcare Act (AHCA). The proposed bill includes historically steep cuts to the Medicaid program. But did you know that there are already other circumstances under which an individual may lose Medicaid (Medi-Cal) eligibility—including the acceptance of a lump sum settlement? Whether the AHCA […]

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 […]