Can I Get a Cash Advance on a Structured Settlement?

Structured settlements are very common. America has billions of dollars tied up in these payment programs. For all their benefits, though, they can be lacking in many ways. In most instances, a structured settlement will offer a specific amount of money each month over a long period of time. Once set, you can’t get more money per month or increase the frequency of payments. For those who find that their financial needs are greater than what their settlement offers, the situation begs the question, “Can I get a cash advance on a structured settlement?”.

The Short Answer

To give you the short answer, yes, you can get a cash advance on your structured settlement. This gives you the means to improve your financial situation right away. However, the situation is not necessarily as simple as it seems.

The Reality

In reality, any time you consider getting a cash advance against your structured settlement, you’re basically selling a portion of your payments to a buyer in exchange for cash on the barrelhead. You don’t have to sell all of your settlement to get a cash advance, and most people don’t. In fact, selling only part of the settlement is the most common action for payees, though full settlement sales are certainly possible as long as they meet the necessary legal requirements.

Can Courts Reject a Structured Settlement Transfer?

When it comes to your money, most people assume that how it’s used is really up to them. That includes structured settlement payments and annuities. However, that’s not actually the case. Most states now have laws in place governing how structured settlements must be handled, including sales (technically transfers). Can a court actually reject a structured settlement transfer? The straightforward answer is yes, the court can deny any transfer, but there’s more to the story.

A Deeper Look

To really understand what’s going on here, you need to know more about the history of the industry. Many states and consumer advocate groups have long taken a dim view of structured settlement transfers due to the predatory nature of some companies operating in the country. These companies preyed on the unwary and the desperate, convincing them that selling structured settlements was the best option for their financial situation.

Most states have now enacted laws to protect consumers from these companies. The immediate upshot is that all transfers (sales) must go through litigation – the case has to be heard by a judge. The judge will then determine if the transfer is in the payee’s best interests and whether or not to allow the sale to move forward. In many cases, the judge denies the transfer. Why is this?

A Look at the Advantages to Using Structured Settlement Brokers

Selling your structured settlement gives you access to a lump sum of cash immediately. This can be enormously beneficial, particularly if you are facing serious financial difficulties. Whether you’ve lost your job, have mounting medical bills or need to get your creditors off your back, that lump sum can be essential. However, you should never attempt to sell your payments on your own – you need to work with an expert. Using structured settlement brokers offers a number of essential advantages.

Help Choosing the Right Path

You’ll find that not all structured settlement offers are the same. Some companies might only want to buy part of your payments. Other companies might charge you a steep percentage of your total amount, leaving you with less money than you should have. Still other companies might not have a particularly good reputation. Working with structured settlement brokers ensures that you have help choosing the offers that best match your specific situation and financial needs.

Get Your Offers Fast

Another advantage to working with structured settlement brokers lies in the speed you’ll have in getting offers. If you’re attempting to do this on your own, it can take a very long time just to find reputable buyers, much less start receiving offers for your settlement. When you work with a quality broker, you can start receiving offers almost immediately. This increased speed is highly beneficial for anyone struggling with a less than ideal financial situation. Obviously, the sooner you can get offers, the sooner you can begin the process and receive the cash you need.