General Information

Factoring Structured Settlement AnnuitiesThe effectiveness of a statute to serve the best interests of the public is no better and no worse than the ability of the judges to apply it.Structured settlements are settlements of tort claims involving physical injuries. The settlement proceeds are paid in periodic payments. They are generally funded by a single … Read More

The worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil changed many things around the world. Wall Street’s one of them.Six years is a long time on Wall Street, except when it comes to erasing the psychological damage from another market crash.The landscape has also changed after the 9/11 World Trade Center, more recent terrorist attacks here and … Read More

STRUCTURING TAXABLE SETTLEMENTSFailing to use periodic payments in a taxable settlement may produce an even worse outcome than in a tax-free case.Breach of contract* EmploymentSexual HarassmentPunitive DamagesEnvironmental* DisabilityBusiness Buy-Out* ConstructionTransactional LitigationMost settlements push the plaintiff in a higher tax bracket in the year of the settlement. By deferring a portion of the settlement, the plaintiff pays … Read More

Have you ever wondered if the distributions provided in structured settlements accurately reflect the needs as outlined in Life Care Plans?To address this concern, we have developed a process to “spreadsheet” the anticipated medical needs over the projected lifetime, using actual growth factors in each medical category (equipment, providers, surgical procedures, etc.).This allows for distributions … Read More

Often times, sellers do not want to take on the risk of owner financing but desire a stream of income and the tax advantages of deferring capital gains. You can now replace the risk of the buyer’s non-performance with the security of U.S. Treasury strips held in trust that guarantees the payments by contract and offers … Read More

Too often we see a conflict in deciding whether to use a structured settlement annuity or an investment account to fund a trust for the settlement proceeds of a claimant, and we overlook finding the best means of satisfying the needs of the claimant. Quite often this can be accomplished by using a combination of … Read More

We frequently hear from investment people about the rate of return on structured settlement annuities vs. other investment products. It is important to keep in mind that these payments, by Federal Statute, are totally tax-free from any Federal, State, City, Social Security or Medicare taxation.The income generated by investment of a large settlement would typically … Read More

Think a large cash windfall means no more financial worries? Think again. Celebrities, lottery winners, and even victims of the September 11 attacks have all witnessed the dangers of large cash settlements.Celebrity BankruptciesHere’s a list of celebrities who brought in millions of dollars only to file bankruptcy because they couldn’t manage what they had:Burt ReynoldsMovie … Read More

Disability advocates and America’s most reputable plaintiff attorneys speak out about structured settlements:”Structured settlements are a model benefit for people with disabilities because there is no financial disincentive for a person who chooses to go back to work.”Andrew J. ImparatoPresident, American Association of People with Disabilities”For years, structured settlements have offered great benefit and financial … Read More