Fairfield Funding vs JG Wentworth | Best Structured Settlement Buyers

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Fairfield Funding vs JG Wentworth

Saturday, June 1st

2024 Structured Settlement Buyer Reviews

Fairfield Funding Review 5 Star Rating

Fairfield Funding

5 Star Rating
  • Informative and frank website
  • Best price guarantee or $500 payout
  • "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

With a very informative series of resources including everything you need to know about settlement funding (including a series of YouTube videos), Fairfield Funding fulfills two very important factors: informing you about the details of structured settlement sale, and recommending that you hire independent legal counsel. While their $500 best price guarantee is nice, we are more impressed with their informative and ethical resources and their overall lack of customer complaints. In short, when you talk to your financial advisor or attorney, be sure to investigate Fairfield Funding as an excellent potential partner in the sale of all or part of your structured settlement.

JG Wentworth Review 3 Star Rating

JG Wentworth

3 Star Rating
  • "A+" BBB rating
  • $1,000 dollar best offer guarantee
  • Very well-known option for structured settlement buy-outs

Famous for their ubiquitous commercials promising "Cash now!" , JG Wentworth's media presence somewhat trivializes the seriousness of selling your structured settlement. Further, nowhere on JG Wentworth's website could we find any recommendation that you seek out independent financial advice before selling your structured settlement. When combined with one-sided information about the value of selling a structured settlement, JG Wentworth seems more interested in a quick sale than in servicing a well-informed customer.

What's the Best Structured Settlement Buyer on the Market?

Well, it's a critical question, and one that should be explored with care. Many receive a structured settlement as an annuity paid over a long period of time in compensation for injury or malpractice. While the stable income of a structured settlement can be a necessary key to financial security, many people are often left in a bind when they need money for a sudden expense or emergency, and are unable to procure the collateral for a loan.

That's where structured settlement buyers come in. These companies offer a single lump sum of cash in exchange for your monthly payments, giving you the up-front capital you need to manage a crisis, or make a needed purchase/investment.

The Best Structured Settlement Buyers Compare Structured Settlement Buyers Compare Structured Settlement Buyer Reviews What are the best Structured Settlement Buyers Best Structured Settlement Buyer Reviews

Structured Settlement Buyer FAQ

A structured settlement is usually awarded after an accident or a win in court. Instead of a one-time lump sum payment, the money is distributed monthly for a certain number of years.
You may want to consider a structured settlement buyer. You sell all or part of your settlement to their company in exchange for a lump sum payment now.
Simple: they make money from it. Most structured settlement buyers/companies levy interest rates on the buyout, which can range from 5-20%. You'll want to get a complete listing of all of the terms and fees before agreeing to sell your structured settlement, especially since some companies are more upfront than others with that information.
They might sound shady, but structured settlement buyouts are fairly common. It's a win for the client who can't wait months and years for their payments to trickle in, and it's a win for the service that makes money on the transaction.
Reputation is everything. If you're considering a structured settlement buyout, be sure the company you choose has a solid reputation: find out what previous clients have to say about the process and experience, and definitely see if the Better Business Bureau has given the service a positive rating. You don't want to entrust such a large financial decision to any buyout provider that can't prove their dependability.
Yes, there are several. First, understand that a settlement buyout will have to be approved by the court. Depending on the circumstances of the settlement, a judge might not give a buyout the green light. Next, if your monthly payments are intended to take care of regular expenses for many years, but you spend a lump sum all at once, you may not have the money you need to pay bills in the future. Another consideration is whether a lump sum payment can disqualify you from receiving Medicaid and SSI benefits. There are other situations where a structured settlement buyout wouldn't be in your best interests; it's worth discussing it with your financial advisor, attorney, or anyone else who can give you an objective assessment of the situation.
Many factors impact how quickly you can get the lump sum payment from your structured settlement. Not only does the court have to approve the arrangement, but some states also have mandatory waiting periods to take into account. Your process could last anywhere from 30-90 days, so don't expect to have a check in hand the day after you contact a structured settlement buyer to get more information.
We recommend that you start by browsing the websites of several companies that offer structured settlement buyouts. You'll find plenty of details about how the process works and what to expect, and you may even find answers to your questions before speaking with a representative. Those representatives will be extremely eager to talk with you, which is why it can be helpful to already have done some research before you reach out. Some services have a live chat feature where you can get help too, if you prefer not to make a phone call or fill out an online form.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

It almost goes without saying that you should take care when you sell your structured settlement. While there are reputable buyers out there, many companies appear out of nowhere, or engage in less-than-reputable business practices. As the sale of a structured settlement is a major decision, a bit of careful investigation to determine the quality of the buyer can go a long way towards a transaction you'll be happy with.

Typically the sale of a structured settlement requires that you appear in court to talk to a judge in order to determine that you understand the particulars of the sale of your structured settlement, and that the sale is in your best interest. While potentially annoying, your court appearance is a critical step in the process, and something that directly protects you as a consumer.

Before this step, companies are required to advise you in writing that you can hire independent legal counsel to review your sale in court with you. This is strongly recommended, as legal counsel and financial advice can give you power and leverage in your structured settlement sale, making it so you get a better deal, and potentially earning multiple-thousands more from the sale of your settlement. If you sign this away to another person or a company, they may represent their own best interests, rather than yours.

So, which structured settlement buyers are worth your time? As you investigate the options, here are some tips for you to keep in mind:

  • Information offered. Look for companies that inform you about their process, and the nitty-gritty details of the sale of structured settlements. Do they explain their process of purchasing structured settlements? Do they have specific recommendations for you as a seller? Oftentimes, the more information a company gives you, the more reputable they are.
  • Low-pressure environment. Selling your structured settlement is a big deal, and you should never feel pressured to make a decision before you're ready. You should also not feel like you're being pushed to sell all of a settlement if a partial sale is what you need. Choose a buyer with a reputation for letting clients take the time they need to make whatever decision is best for their situation.
  • Client reviews. Look for the testimony of past customers before engaging with a structured settlement buyer. Those who have gone before you can relay whether the company treated them with respect, and speak to the quality of the deal they received.

At Top Consumer Reviews, we want to make sure that our readers are well-equipped to navigate the sometimes murky waters of the structured settlement industry. We've gathered the best companies we could find, and ranked them based on their overall reputation and business practices. As you shop around for the best deal in the sale of your structured settlement, you should feel comfortable using our curated list as a starting point for finding a fair and honest buyer.

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