Victoria Real Estate Agency Home Sale Listings

Should You Sell Your Structured Settlement?

The courts have just awarded you a settlement in the amount of $1.3 million dollars for injuries you sustained while using the Widget Corporation's product. However, the terms of the settlement require that Widget pay you a small amount right now, with the remaining funds to be dispersed over the next 20 years. This "structured settlement" works fine for some people, but you have medical bills that need to be paid now. What can you do about it? Answer: you can sell your structured settlement and receive additional cash now.

So, exactly what is a "structured settlement?" The Center for Justice and Democracy describes it as follows: Also called "periodic payments," structured settlement laws either mandate, allow defendants to request, or allow courts to require that some or all payments awarded by a judge or jury be made to the injured consumer over a long period of time. In other words, the injured consumer is prohibited from receiving payments in a lump sum. These provisions increase the hardships of the most seriously injured consumers who are hit soon after an injury with large medical costs and must make adjustments in transportation and housing. Often, the law allows insurance companies to pocket the money upon the plaintiff's death.

There are companies whose primary source of business is to purchase your structured settlement and give you a lump sum payment instead. Of course, you must pay a significant fee to gain access to money now instead of waiting. Still, it is an option for some people especially if they need the money now.

Lawsuit settlements are not the only structured settlements that you may receive. In addition, you could receive a settlement for:

1. Royalties.

2. Inheritances.

3. Lottery Winnings.

4. Annuities.

5. Mortgages.

6. Leases.

7. Life Insurance Policies.

8. Business Notes.

When deciding whether to sell your structured settlement or not, you need to consider that your proceeds -- if taken over time -- have a tendency to be eroded by inflation. $1.3 million today could be worth half that in 20 years! In addition, you may not live long enough to receive all of the proceeds, although in most cases the remaining unclaimed funds would go to your estate as an inheritance.

So, should you cash your structured settlement in? Good question! Sit down with a calculator and determine what fees you are willing to pay and what expenses need to be addressed immediately. If you have immediate pressing needs, then contact a settlement company today for more information.

Matt Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of business, human interest, advocacy, and family issues. Please visit http://www.thearticlewriter.com for more information.

MORE ARTICLES:

The Real World Advantages & Disadvantages of Using a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home
Are you a real estate pro If you are planning to sell your property and don't really consider yourself an expert in real estate selling then you may want to consider seeking out a reputable real estate agent to sell your property

How to Sell Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent
Considering the rapid rise in home prices over the past several years, home sellers are taking a hard look at the commission they have to pay to a real estate brokerage to market and sell their home. Real estate commissions vary across the country; they average in the four to seven percent range.

Real Estate Loan Agents, Real Estate Loan Agents,Investment Properties, Investment Properties in USA
While America and the world hold their breath, waiting for the Presidential and Legislative Branches of the United States Government to take action, that will hold off and help correct the mistakes of the sub-prime meltdown, there are some progressive Real Estate Loan Agents providing mortgages from exclusive leads from the opportunities provided in their counties from the daily marketing efforts by the team at Myhomesearches.com. These loan agents, providers of mortgages during the boom days are making deals today because of their membership.

Real Estate Agents Turning to Surface Restoration Company to Help Speed Home Sales
Real Estate agents are turning to Miracle Method, a national surface restoration company, to update bathrooms and kitchens to get a higher price for homes and speed sales.

Learn Seven Things You Must Know Before Choosing the Right Waterfront Real Estate Agent
You?ve made the decision to buy a waterfront home Now, it?s time to choose a real estate agent to help you find your perfect home

Local Real Estate Agents May Provide More Relevant Homes For Sale Data Than National Sites
Marietta, GA, (November 3, 2004) – According to the National Association of Realtors, 70% of all home buyers search the internet for home listings at some point. While most people choose national sites such as Realtor.

Choose the Right Agent in Selling Your Home in Siesta Key Real Estate
Selling your home in Siesta Key real estate can be stressful since it is a huge undertaking that you can do in your life. If you will be doing wrong choices, you will make things worse and you wont be able to sell your home quickly and with the best deal.

Designed For Real Estate Agents By Real Estate Agents, The Newest Referral Service Just Launched
Findmearealestateagent, the most comprehensive relocation reference site on the net. Serving the continental United States, findmearealestateagent.com is dedicated to providing families, corporations, small business, and individuals with all the tools necessary to make their relocation easier.

Indianapolis Real Estate Agent Offers Tips for Selling a Home in a Down Market
Indianapolis real estate agent Matt Borushko offers six tips that home owners should know when thinking about selling their home.

Why it is Important to Hire Just One Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home
In our fast paced and frantic real estate market, buying a home takes quick action and strong representation. Some buyers decide to involve several agents in their search for a home, assuming that there is strength in numbers.

For Sale by Owner (FSBO) - How to Sell a House without an Agent
For Sale by Owner is money saving alternative to selling a house with an agent, and it is not so intimidating and difficult as it looks to many.

Home Buying Institute Now Offers Free Real Estate Articles to Agents
Real estate publisher and home buying expert Brandon Cornett has created a new website that allows real estate agents to republish a variety of real estate articles for free.

Waterfront Houses USA Launches Waterfront Homes and Property Listing Service
Budget-Quotes, Inc. would like to announce the opening of their waterfront real estate listing service Waterfront Houses USA. Waterfront Houses USA is a medium for homeowners and real estate professionals to list their properties specifically targeted to waterfront, water view, and water access.

Real Estate: Buyers Agent, Sellers Agent & Dual Agent (defined and explained)
There is a relatively new and not always well understood practice in Real Estate sales; it is called Buyer Agency or Buyer's Agent. Until recently Realtors and agents usually represented the seller, in opposition to the buyer, during the real estate transaction.

Real-estate-agent-lists.com Celebrates One Year Helping Real Estate Agents Prosper in Slow Market Using Realtor Lists to Work Smarter, not Harder
Zichron Internet Marketing (ZIM) LLC is celebrating the one year anniversary of its launch of list of 1.5 million realtors with full contact information including 1.1 million agent email addresses has made it easier and less expensive for agents to communicate with other agents to drive more business.