Tuesday, June 9, 2009

What Is A Structured Settlement?

Structured settlements refer to a kind of compensation payouts, which is especially designed to provide a series of payments on a regular basis, instead of one big one. Such a method of compensation payment is quite popular in case of companies, which are legally obliged into making such payment, i.e. whether they accept liability themselves or whether they get ordered by a court into making a payment.

The major reason, as to why, structured settlements suit a number of companies, which need to make compensation is generally all about the up front costs. For a number of people, having a regular series of payments is much more attractive than that of a lump sum amount, since they just find it more manageable than that of dealing with investment of a huge amount of money for themselves. This might actually be less taxing for them to engage with regular smaller payments. Such kinds of settlement may also be made prior to a case moving into court, allowing one to settle one's case without the requirement of court time as well as costs.

You may also work to get a structured settlement agreement as per the suitability of your own financial requirements. A few people like to get a payment to be made each year whereas others would accept payments on any basis, or schedule as per their own suitability.

In certain cases you may go down this settlement route yet then decide that you would quite like to opt for a lump sum payment rather. In case this happens then you may look at selling the annuities, which are the investment base in case of your payments here for a third party.

By way of doing this third party would make lump sum payment in return of your annuities. They would then retain control of annuities themselves and would be given any benefit, which they pay out as per your original schedule. You may look at selling just a part or all of the holdings depending as per your preference.

It is also important to be sure that you avail yourself with qualified legal advice prior to any structured settlement agreement. You are required to be sure that the agreement avails you the best possible conditions and you might find the help of structured settlement broker, which is useful to you in such a kind of situation.

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