What are structured settlements?

Many times when individuals are in involved in accidents or wrongful death settlements with insurance companies they elect to receive a series of payments over a longer period of time instead of an immediate lump sum. These payments normally total more than the amount one would have received at settlement. In order to make this election, the Plaintiff must sign a Settlement and Release Agreement that allows the Defendant to purchase an annuity policy to provide for the payments to the Annuitant. The Annuitant does not own the annuity and does not have the right to sell the annuity. He does have the right to receive and sell the payments to a third party.