
The short answer is anywhere from one to four months depending on two major factors — 1) the Statue and 2) the court calendar. The Statute Several mandatory time periods are outlined in the statute. These are non-negotiable and unavoidable. First is the disclosure waiting period. This can be anywhere from 3 to 14 days.
Full Answer
Can I Sell my structured settlement payments?
If you have a structured settlement you have a right to sell your payments. Facing a crisis like foreclosure or not having transportation to get to a job, many structured settlement owners choose to sell some or all of their payments.
What happens at a structured settlement hearing?
Structured settlements stem from litigation, so a court hearing is standard practice to sell the rights to future payments. The judge’s role is to ensure the sale is in your best interest. Step 5: Receive your money.
How does a structured settlement work in a car accident case?
The Structured Settlement Process. Both sides work with a trained consultant to determine the amount of money and the needs of the plaintiff. The consultant then uses the money to purchase an annuity from a life insurance company. The annuity is managed by a life insurance company separate from the at-fault party.
How do structured settlements work in annuities?
The annuity earns interest to protect its value from inflation, and the only way for the plaintiff to get cash from the settlement ahead of schedule is to sell the right to future payments on the secondary market. Calculating the structured settlement amount can be a complex financial task.

How is a structured settlement paid out?
A structured settlement can be paid out as a single lump sum or through a series of payments. Structured settlement contracts specify start and end dates, payment frequency, distribution amounts and death benefits.
How long does it take to cash out a structured settlement?
about 45 to 90 daysCashing out a structured settlement involves a court approval process which takes about 45 to 90 days. Selling future payments offers more flexibility. There aren't any surrender charges or early withdrawal tax penalties for selling structured settlement payments.
Do you get more money with structured settlement?
A structured settlement often yields, in total, more than a lump-sum payout would because of the interest your annuity may earn over time.
What is better a lump sum or structured settlement?
Structured settlements can save you on taxes versus a lump sum, and for many people work as a form of income or annuity every year. Structured settlements can work in many instances. But they may be less than advantageous in others.
What to do with a $100000 settlement?
What to Do with a $100,000 Settlement?Sort Out Tax Implications.Find a Financial Advisor.Pay Off the Debts.Invest in a Retirement Home.Start a Business or Help Friends and Family.Donate the Money to the Needy.Final Words.
Do you have to pay taxes on structured settlement?
Under a structured settlement, all future payments are completely free from: Federal and state income taxes; Taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains; and. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
What is a disadvantage of a structured settlement?
A major drawback of a structured settlement is that it may jeopardize the beneficiary's eligibility for public benefits, which may be particularly problematic when the person's medical needs are covered by Medicaid rather than private health insurance.
How much does it cost to sell a structured settlement?
The lump sum you receive from the buyer, or factoring company, can be as low as 50 percent of your total future payments, but typically will be between 60 and 80 percent. So if you get $1,000 a month through your structured settlement, you could sell each payment for anywhere from $500 to $800.
What does lump sum settlement mean?
A lump sum settlement is a payout that comes in one single, large payment. This type of settlement occurs following negotiations, and the single payment covers the entire agreed on amount.
Are Structured Settlements good?
The best reason to support structured settlements is to have payouts of income to last throughout the beneficiary's lifetime. With guaranteed payments, there is less chance of losing principal to poor investments, spendthrift habits or the undue influence of family and friends.
Are Structured Settlements safe?
MYTH #2: Structured settlement returns are dependent on market conditions. Structured settlements are one of the safest, most stable investments on the market. The rate of return is locked in when the annuity is purchased, providing the claimant with a reliable investment, regardless of how the market fares.
Is a lump sum settlement taxable?
Structured Settlement Tax Advantages Structured settlements and lump-sum payouts for compensatory damages in personal injury cases are tax exempt. So there is no distinct tax advantage to the type of settlement payout you receive.
What percentage do structured settlement companies take?
It should also be noted how factoring companies turn a profit by purchasing structured settlements. Typically, they will take between 9% and 18% of the sale amount as their fee.
How do I sell my structured settlement?
You can sell your structured settlement to a factoring company for immediate cash. Although you must first obtain court approval, you have the legal right to cash out your payments, either in part or in full, to a structured settlement buyer.
How long does it take to get money from JG Wentworth?
two to three weeksHow long does it take to get your money from JG Wentworth? It typically takes two to three weeks to receive your funds. Payment can sometimes be expedited to take as little as three days, but it depends on your contract.
How does a structured settlement annuity work?
When the defendant and the plaintiff in a lawsuit agree to settle a claim with a structured settlement, the parties negotiate a cash amount payable by the defendant in exchange for the plaintiff dropping the lawsuit. The money is distributed as a series of periodic payments, typically funded through an annuity.
What is a structured settlement?
A structured settlement is a stream of payments issued to a claimant after litigation or a court case. The settlement is intended to pay for damage...
Is a structured settlement considered income?
While a structured settlement is a stream of payments, the owner does not have to pay income taxes on the money received. The Periodic Payment Sett...
Can you sell your structured settlement payments?
Yes. You must follow several steps, including a court approval process, to receive your structured settlement payout. After obtaining the judge’s a...
What happens to your structured settlement if you die?
If you pass away before you receive all your structured settlement payments entitled to you, then your designated beneficiary will receive any rema...
What is structured settlement?
Structured settlements are used by courts in many different types of cases to replace or supplement income that was lost through the fault of someone else. Since they’re conducted by a third party, it also means someone doesn’t consistently need to associate with the person or entity that wronged them.
How much money is issued in structured settlements each year?
It’s a solution that many people take advantage of: Nearly $6 billion in new structured settlements are issued each year, according to the National Structured Settlements Trade Association.
What happens when you are hurt on the job?
Workers Compensation Cases: If you’re hurt on the job, a court can award you a structured settlement to pay for the damages. Wrongful Death: When a court decides someone is at fault, the surviving family members of a victim can be awarded a structured settlement.
Why were structured settlements first issued?
Structured settlements were actually first issued after children were born with severe birth defects because of exposure to the drug Thalidomide in the womb.
Why are cases settled?
Cases are often settled which award a significant amount of money to a minor in the form of a series of payments to cover the living expenses of a child. Such cases are often won because the plaintiff is able to demonstrate that the child’s life will be irrevocably changed for the worse.
When was the Periodic Payment Settlement Act passed?
Congress passed the Periodic Payment Settlement Act in 1982, which streamlined the use of structured settlements in personal injury lawsuits. The legislation shielded structured settlement payments from federal, state and local income taxes.
Does structured settlement affect Medicaid?
The structured settlement issuing companies function in a manner that shields owners as well. Structured settlements don’t affect an individual’s ability to qualify for other forms of aid. Meaning, if someone is set to receive a settlement, the money they receive from it does not affect their ability to qualify for Medicaid, Social Security and other disability benefits.
What happens before structured settlements take place?
Before a conversation around structured settlements takes place, an unfortunate event unfolds for a victim. These events vary but usually come about via a vehicle accident, a fall, or other unsafe conditions encountered at a workplace or a business.
What is structured settlement?
Structured settlements are a series of payments that opposing parties agree to arrange on your behalf which pays out over a period of time.
How much do structured settlements grow?
Growth is slow, much like inflation, so don’t expect any growth of your payments to exceed 2% to 3% per year.
Why do people sell settlements?
Selling settlements gives victims access to immense amounts of cash, quickly. As a drawback though, selling settlements ruins paced payments that could have insured a victim’s long-term stability. Furthermore, anybody that buys your settlement will do so at a discount so they can turn a profit.
Why do life insurance companies settle?
There’s a reason why life insurance companies get involved in the structured settlements process. They offer more stability in their ability to pay out over long periods of time (for example, 50 years). After all, an individual that’s being sued could very well choose to disappear 5 years or so into their payment arrangement.
What is the best resource when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of your settlement?
At the end of the day, your best resource when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of your settlement is your attorney. Make sure you keep them close as you move through your process of earning settlement dollars. Be vocal if an aspect of the deal that’s being pursued doesn’t make sense to you.
What happens if you get injured and have a financial impact?
If the fallout from an injury is going to have a financial impact on a victim’s life, they may feel the need to pursue their right to compensation. That results in a lawsuit.
Who signs off on divorce agreement?
Both spouses sign off on the agreement, which is presented to a judge who makes the divorce official.
What to say when you are separated?
Others may not have liked your spouse and be happy for you – and their joy upon hearing of your separation might rub you the wrong way. It’s a good idea to clearly express what you need emotionally at this time. Statements like: “I just need support,” or “I may need a companion around more often,” will go a long way in preserving your support network – and your sanity.
What is the first step in divorce?
Typically a divorce starts with a conversation between two spouses where they agree the marriage is irrevocably broken and will end.
How long does it take to get divorced?
However, that figure is an average, with some divorces taking a matter of weeks, and others a matter of years.
Can you split a community property settlement?
If you live in a community property state, it can be split up between the two spouses regardless of when it was obtained. However, this is not always the case. Especially in the case of a structured settlement issued due to a medical condition, the affected spouse may retain a significantly larger portion if not all of the settlement. A divorce lawyer or mediator with experience dealing with complex assets should be consulted.
Is a settlement considered marital property?
In an equitable distribution state, how a structured settlement is handled in a divorce is more dependent on when the settlement was issued. If issued during a marriage, it may be considered marital property and subject to equitable distribution. If issued before, it is more likely to be considered non-marital property. Again, this doesn’t automatically mean each gets half, but it can mean that the person the settlement belonged to might not automatically get all of it.
Understanding What is a Structured Settlement?
If you were awarded a structured settlement, you may have questions about how they work.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Settlements
Structured settlements can stem from different types of lawsuits, but they often come from personal injury lawsuits. This can include a wide range of specific lawsuits, such as car accident lawsuits, product liability lawsuits, slip and fall lawsuits, medical malpractice and so on.
Lump Sum vs. Structured Settlements
You may have also heard the phrase “lump sum” often as well. Understanding lump sum payments can also be helpful if you’re asking yourself, “what is a structured settlement?” A lump sum payment involves a single, one-time payment to the recipient. You’ll often hear about lump sum payments when it comes to lawsuits and lottery winnings.
Selling Structured Settlement Payments for a Lump Sum of Cash
If you are receiving structured settlement payments, you typically aren’t tied to receiving your money in the form of periodic payments indefinitely.
Contact DRB Capital Today
If you still have questions about how the process works and how to sell future payments for a lump sum of cash, contact DRB Capital today at 877-894-4541. We are happy to help and provide you with more information, as well as provide you with a completely free quote for the sale of your future payments.
What Happens to My Structured Settlement if I Die?
Disclaimer: No financial, legal, or tax advice is given or implied. Publisher is not a registered investment advisor or legal or tax professional. Information provided is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your own independent advisors.
What is structured settlement?
In most cases, a structured settlement is an agreement established as a result of a case settled out of court. When a person is gravely injured or disabled in an accident, such as a dog bite, a car accident or some other type of injury, it can result in that person receiving a structured settlement.
Who can be named as the beneficiary of a structured settlement?
In many cases the payee of a structured settlement can designate the beneficiary (s) of their structured settlement just as you would with a life insurance policy. A primary beneficiary can be named who will inherit the structured settlement funds. Secondary beneficiaries such as children or other loved ones can also be named. A third option is to assign the funds to a trust upon the settlement owner’s death, which then pays out the funds as directed.
Is a structured settlement taxable?
Structured settlement payments are not considered taxable income by the IRS because they are proceeds from a personal injury claim. Even though personal injury settlements are always tax-free, if you receive a large lump sum at once it may accrue taxable interest. Structured settlements, on the other hand, are paid as an annuity and are therefore tax-free.
Can a spouse split settlement funds?
Owners can split the settlement funds in any percentage amount to secondary beneficiaries that they wish. For example, they could assign 50 percent of the funds to a spouse, and split the remainder of the funds equally among their children. Minor children cannot access funds from a structured settlement until they reach legal age.
Can a structured settlement be assigned to secondary beneficiaries?
A structured settlement owner may wish to assign secondary beneficiaries as well. These are sometimes referred to as contingency beneficiaries. This protects the funds in the event that the primary beneficiary passes away before the funds are disbursed, and it also ensures that the funds are disbursed to the owner’s heirs according to his or her wishes.
How long does it take to get a structured settlement estimate?
Using this structured settlement calculator to get a custom estimate is a great starting point for a sales process that can take 45 to 90 days. By knowing what to expect and being prepared each step of the way, you can sell your structured settlement payments with confidence.
How Much Is My Settlement Worth?
Our calculator is specifically designed to evaluate the time, interest and long-term value of your settlement.
What happens after a judge approves a purchase?
After receiving the judge’s approval, the purchasing company will then provide your payout.
Can you use a calculator to sell a structured settlement?
While this calculator can get the process of selling your structured settlement underway, it may not account for certain features that are specific to your agreement. When you use the calculator, you can expect a quote using a basic formula based on fixed variables. Email or call us to receive a personalized offer.

The Structured Settlement Process
How Structured Settlement Issuing Companies Work
Your Right to Sell Structured Settlement Payments
- If you have a structured settlement you have a right to sell your payments. Facing a crisis like foreclosure or not having transportation to get to a job, many structured settlement owners choose to sell some or all of their payments. When a structured settlement is set up, it’s typically tailored to meet the needs of the injured or surviving person. Unfortunately, sometimes those ne…
Structured Settlement Laws and Regulations
- Structured settlements are regulated on a national, state and sometimes even local level. Congress passed the Periodic Payment Settlement Act in 1982, which streamlined the use of structured settlements in personal injury lawsuits. The legislation shielded structured settlement payments from federal, state and local income taxes. Congresses thinking was that by setting u…
Structured Settlements and Minors
- Adults aren’t the only ones awarded structured settlements. Cases are often settled which award a significant amount of money to a minor in the form of a series of payments to cover the living expenses of a child. Such cases are often won because the plaintiff is able to demonstrate that the child’s life will be irrevocably changed for the worse. I...