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If you've been awarded money as the result of litigation, an accident, or any other legal settlement, you likely receive monthly payments for a set number of years. However, that slow trickle of money doesn't do you much good if you need a larger amount of cash right away.
That's where structured settlement buyers come in. These services get approval to buy the rights to a certain amount of your monthly payments, in exchange for a lump sum payment now.
Tuesday, March 21st
If you want to work with a company that treats you like a valued friend or family member, start with Fairfield Funding for your structured settlement buyout. Everything about this company will have you feeling safe and secure, with no hidden fees or bait-and-switch contracts from your first interactions with their representatives.
Upfront information
Here's a big reason why: Fairfield Funding is one of the only structured settlement buyers that comes right out and tells you what interest rates you can expect when selling: 6% to 18%. They even explain that your purchase price depends on several factors, such as the insurance company making payments to you, the dates and amounts of your payments, and the state of the economy at the time of your contract. You can expect your process to take anywhere from 30-45 days, depending on how long it takes the court to approve your agreement (and some states have mandatory waiting periods as well).
Variety of payment options
When using this service to sell your structured settlement, you can choose from a variety of different payment structures. These include a one-time lump sum payment and a partial buy-out, where they purchase just part of your monthly payment for the rest of the term, or just a certain number of years of the payment term. You're not pigeonholed into any contract that isn't right for you.
100% guarantee
You've got a four-point, 100% guarantee when working with Fairfield Funding. If they can't beat a competitor offer on your structured settlement, they'll pay you $500. They also promise a cash advance in as little as 5 days, and that advance is fixed and no interest. Finally, they guarantee to close your transaction as quickly as permitted by the laws in the state(s) involved.
Welcome transparency
This company also offers a great deal of transparency when it comes to other information. Want to know the pros and cons of selling your structured settlement? Not only do they have an article, but also a video with one of their top-level staff explaining it in detail. It's definitely worth it to spend some time reading through the FAQ and other resources on this site.
Impressive customer service
We were impressed to see that Fairfield Funding has representatives available outside of traditional weekday business hours. We connected with a rep via live chat on a weekend afternoon and were immediately able to communicate with someone who could answer our questions. Plus, that person was a native speaker of English - which certainly helps when dealing with potentially complicated financial questions. We're too used to dealing with companies that provide questionable online chat help, especially at odd times.
Positive customer testimonials
One question we posed to our chat representative was, why were the independently-verified customer reviews featured on the Fairfield Funding site were outdated by 2 years. The representative in the chat was able to point us to the most current customer testimonials, where we were happy to find not only a 5/5-star rating average, but also a very responsive customer service team. Time and time again, customers said that Fairfield got them the best rate on their structured settlement buyout, and that the entire process went smoothly and fast.
Excellent BBB rating
Plus, Fairfield Funding enjoys an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with zero customer complaints on file there. These are all strong indicators that this is a service you can trust if you're trying to sell your structured settlement, all or in part.
Highest rating
It's normal to feel apprehensive when making a big financial decision, such as Structured Settlements. Fairfield Funding goes to great lengths to ease your mind and help you make the choices that are best for you. When it comes to selling your structured settlement, Fairfield Funding earns our highest rating.
Peachtree Financial has helped tens of thousands of people through buying structured settlements, annuities, lottery winnings and other payment streams since their start in 1996. Since our last review, this service has made considerable improvements and earned a much higher ranking among buyers of structured settlements.
Going the extra mile
The Peachtree website makes sure you understand everything there is to know about a structured settlement buyout, from all of the steps in the process to possible ways to use a lump sum payment. They even go so far as to give you advice if you're using it to pay for education, renovate your home, or invest in a business! Talk about going the extra mile.
Simple process
Their process is very simple: give them a call and get a free quote, once they've reviewed your case and gotten the necessary details. If you accept their offer and sign the paperwork, they'll begin the process of filing a petition with the court (you may have to appear in person to explain why you need a lump sum or partial buyout). You'll have one representative throughout the entire process, and they'll be well-acquainted with the particulars of your case: no need to talk to multiple people across the company.
60-90 days
When the court approval comes in, you can either have the funds sent directly to your bank account or get a check in the mail. How long until you get your funds? Most Peachtree Financial transactions take 60 to 90 days to be completed. They also offer cash advances within 24-72 hours of receiving your documents, if you live in a state that allows it.
Great information
This service offers one of the most comprehensive websites to give you an understanding of the whole process. Are you wondering what specific questions might be asked? Which documents you'll need? What will be in the purchase contract? You'll find all of that and more explained in detail. The only piece we didn't find that would have been useful was an estimate of their fees and/or interest rates when buying a structured settlement.
Award winning efforts
Peachtree Financial Solutions earned several awards from 2010 to 2014 (and maybe after, though their Awards page on the website doesn't mention any). Unfortunately, none of them specifically referenced buying structured settlements - just litigation and law firm funding, primarily. That left us wondering if structured settlements aren't their primary area of expertise.
Positive customer feedback
Peachtree Financial has an "A+" rating at the BBB, along with accreditation. We found a handful of customer complaints, but the majority of them were regarding unsolicited mail and not the actual process of selling a structured settlement. And, when looking at customer reviews that have been independently-verified by a third-party service, this company fares well: averaging a 4.5 out of 5 stars, with customers saying good things about Peachtree representatives, especially their in-depth knowledge of the particulars of any given state in which their customers may reside.
One of our top choices
You have a lot of options for selling your structured settlement, and Peachtree Financial is worth considering. Start by reading through all of the information they offer on their website, and we're sure they'll wind up being one of your top choices for excellent customer service and solutions that match your needs.
DRB Capital has come a long way since our previous evaluation. They've put in the work to strengthen their reputation, as demonstrated by a flawless rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. We're always glad to see companies change for the better, and this is a big positive for DRB Capital.
Single representative to guide you
Another plus of using this service is that you'll have a single representative for your entire process. That ensures that you won't have to spend valuable time explaining things over and over again to a new rep every time you call. Instead, you'll know that the person assigned to your case is the only point of contact you'll need, and that they will be well-versed in the state laws governing your payout.
Live chat
Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 9am-5:30pm (EST). You'll find similar availability for their toll-free number. Of course, you can fill out their Quick Cash form anytime to start the process - though you'll still be waiting for regular business hours to hear from a representative.
Eager for your business
DRB Capital is eager for your business. On the Quick Cash form page, look for some perks. For example, at the time of our review, new clients could get a $100 gift card with a phone quote if they provide proof of their structured settlement and contact details. We also found a matching guarantee: if you get an offer from DRB Capital and then secure a better arrangement from one of their competitors, DRB will meet or beat the offer, or give you $50. Finally, they also offer a funding guarantee of $25,000 if you sign their contract and meet all of the conditions and requirements, but your transaction still isn't funded. That shows you how confident they are that they'll be able to deliver what they promise.
Customer compliments
Customers have good things to say about the help they got from DRB Capital. Compliments include friendly, knowledgeable representatives, and getting lump sum payments as quickly as 45 days from the start of the process. Most of the client reviews we saw gave DRB Capital 4 or 5 out of 5 stars.
Could be more upfront
Our major complaint is that this service could do more to explain what their services might include, to give prospective clients a better idea before they even make that phone call or fill out the online form. When we compare their website with their rivals', DRB Capital could offer an FAQ - what documents people will need to gather, expected timeframes, etc. - or give examples of how a structured settlement buyout might be set up. We find much more upfront information on our higher-ranked competitors' sites.
Solid rating
Is DRB Capital a trustworthy place to handle your structured settlement? Yes. We're confident that they'll handle your situation in a way that's personalized to your specific needs. Could you get more upfront information with another service? That's also true, but we still give this service a solid rating because of the progress they've made and their attention to the individual customer.
Stone Street Capital is no newcomer to buying structured settlements, with over three decades of experience. Their website is, for lack of a better word, cute: you'll find funny illustrations featuring a cow throughout the site, explaining what to expect during your process.
How it works
You'll get started by giving the company a call to discuss your financial situation and hear what cash options are available. Check out the "How It Works" page to find detailed answers to questions like "How much money can I get?" and "Why should I consider a lump sum cash option?" You'll find even more info in the FAQ, though many of those topics aren't directly related to structured settlements.
Lack of fees and interest rates
Stone Street Capital isn't overly upfront with the details of their structured settlements. Some providers tell you what fees or interest rates you can expect, or even the average time it takes their clients to receive their payments. We didn't see that information given on the Stone Street site.
Excellent customer service
However, the customer service representatives are very friendly and informative. When you speak with them, they don't give you a pushy sales pitch. Instead, they'll calmly answer your questions and guide you through the process. Their focus on customer education and satisfaction is commendable.
Several issues
Stone Street Capital is part of the JG Wentworth family of companies, which means you can expect a similar reputation and customer experience. However, we found several issues specifically with Stone Street that were cause for concern. Back in 2015, a case in Florida was settled under a strict confidentiality agreement; in the case, it was alleged that Stone Street Capital forged an elderly woman's signature in order to complete the purchase of her rights to lottery winnings of over $2 million. A few years later, a NYC law firm that represented several structured settlement purchasers, including Stone Street Capital, entered a guilty plea with respect to forging the signatures of judges on sale approval orders. Granted, Stone Street sued that firm for legal malpractice, but it still indicates a red flag you should be aware of.
Strong BBB rating
Importantly, Stone Street Capital maintains an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB. This is a good factor to know when you're entrusting a company with your finances. We feel this is a reflection of their business operations and customer focus.
Worth consideration
In spite of the issues and lack of detailed information on their website, Stone Street Capital has a strong history and customer focus. They're a good choice for your Structured Settlement buying needs, and are worth your consideration.
JG Wentworth has been around for almost 30 years, specializing in financial services for customers who need access to cash, often due to financial hardship. Buying structured settlements is just one of several programs in their wheelhouse, along with debt relief services and lottery/casino payment purchasing.
I want my money and I want it now
In some parts of the U.S., they're best known for their 877-CASH-NOW TV jingles - but cheesy commercials aside, this company has completed more structured settlement payment sale transactions than any other in business (over $8 billion in future payments!), and they continue to maintain accreditation and an "A+" rating from the BBB.
Plenty of information
The company offers plenty of information to help you in the decision to sell your structured settlement payments. First, they describe several situations that some customers may not even realize are eligible, such as medical malpractice, personal injury, or wrongful death settlements. Next, JG Wentworth gives you some ideas of what you could do with a lump sum payment: how about starting a business, making a down payment on a house, or paying off debt? Finally, they walk you through the overall process of selling your structured settlement, whether you choose their service or a rival's.
Decision making guidance
We strongly recommend that you spend some time browsing the tabs at the top of the page, to get a deep understanding of how the process works. Even if you don't wind up using JG Wentworth for your structured settlement buyout, you'll have enough information to guide your decision-making.
Variety of payment options
Unlike many of the structured settlement buyers we evaluated, JG Wentworth is clear about the multiple options you have: sell all of your payments, sell a portion of each payment (such as $200 out of every monthly payment of $600), or sell a time period of payments (such as 10 years out of a 30-year payment plan). We appreciate that they don't make it an all-or-nothing deal, so that you can have the arrangement that makes the most sense in your situation.
Get a quote
To get started, you'll need to either click the Get a Quote button or give them a call. During your initial consultation, you'll have all the time you need to describe your circumstances, needs and goals - in other words, why you're giving them a call. Your representative will make sure to find out the necessary details about your payment policy, and then present you with a purchase offer.
Mixed customer reviews
Unfortunately, JG Wentworth's customer feedback wasn't as positive as some of their competitors. Don't get us wrong - an average just over 4 out of 5 stars is still very good. However, we found enough 1- and 2-star reviews to give us pause. Those lower reviews were often from people who used this service and later found out that they could have gotten a much better deal through another company, or who had issues with payments being lower than what their representative had promised them. On the other hand, the 5-star reviews are plentiful and usually filled with praise for helpful reps and quick payments, so caveat emptor.
Working with several people
Another drawback with JG Wentworth is that you will not have a dedicated representative for your structured settlement buyout. While they try to keep you in contact with the same person throughout the process, they don't guarantee it, so you may have to work with several different people.
Mixed customer reviews
While we love how thorough this company is, particularly with detailing what to expect during the process of selling a structured settlement, the extremely negative feedback from more than a few people brought JG Wentworth down in our rankings.
CBC Settlement Funding has been around since 2009 and is based in Pennsylvania. As with most of the services in our review, they have an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, which is always a must when choosing a service to buy your structured settlement.
Ethical commitment
Something that stood out to us with this company is their commitment to ethical processes. They specifically state that if their experts analyze your paperwork and conclude that selling your structured settlement is not in your best interests, they will actually advise you against doing so. That's a big plus in an industry that can sometimes feel a little shady.
Lots of good information
You'll also have plenty of help understanding the process of structured settlement buying if you take the time to browse this company's website. Whether you want to know about your payout options, the process for selling your settlement (in full or in part), or what steps to expect, you'll find all of that here. However, when we tried to read any of the FAQ subjects (like risks involved or necessary documents), nothing opened up when we clicked on the plus sign. We're hoping that it was a temporary glitch in the site, but you may come up equally empty on your visit.
More transparency desired
In that vein, it's possible that CBC Settlement Funding provides information about what fees and rates you can expect when they buy your structured settlement - but we didn't find it in the parts of the site that were working when we last went to the site. We'd definitely like more transparency in that regard.
Complaints and negative reviews
Another negative mark for CBC Settlement Funding is that they don't have the pristine track record of customer feedback like most of our higher-ranked providers. There were several complaints and bad reviews - which received appropriate responses from CBC Settlement Funding representatives, hence the still-solid rating from the BBB. But, compared with services that have been in business longer and without any registered complaints, this company doesn't quite measure up.
Middle of the road
In general, CBC Settlement Funding is just average when it comes to providers of structured settlement buyouts. You probably won't have a horrible experience, but it might not be the most informed, customer-friendly process either.
Of course, a court will have to approve the terms in order for your structured settlement to be purchased, and it's still critical that you understand all of the particulars before signing on the dotted line. Fortunately, the buyer of the settlement takes on most of the responsibility for doing the legwork: drafting the agreement, getting approval from the court, and setting up the relationship with the payer.
Not all structured settlement buyers are created equal. While there are some that have been in the industry for decades, other opportunistic services seem to pop up overnight, hoping to make an agreement that is more to their benefit than yours. How can you tell which service can be trusted to get you a payout that's fair?
Here are a few criteria you should consider when selecting a structured settlement buyer:
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best structured settlement buyers available today. We hope this information helps you choose the right service to get the funds you need quickly and fairly.
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