If you’re in the middle of a lawsuit and need money to meet living expenses, a settlement loan. It is also known as a lawsuit loan, pre-settlement funding, or litigation finance may seem appealing. Despite its name, settlement loans are not the same as typical loans. They are a form of progress. While your case is pending, a lawsuit finance business grants you a cash advance on the projected payout. That cash advance usually comes with caveats like a high-interest rate, terms that restrict your ability to use it for any other purpose, or a pre-payment penalty.
What are settlement loans?
Settlement loans are cash advances that come with certain restrictions. You may be able to get a basic term loan to help you find some debts or pay for living expenses. But the terms will almost certainly be better if you apply for a lawsuit loan. While the terms of a lawsuit loan vary, they are often more restrictive than your average payday loan. For example, you typically cannot get another real estate or business cash advance with a lawsuit loan. Or you will have to pay back the settlement loan sooner if you run into financial hardships down the road.
Why are these loans often more expensive?
Settlement loans may cost more than other types of cash advances. This is usually because there are additional costs associated with them. Private lenders may charge as much as an annual percentage rate as high as 270%. They also require prepayment penalties and higher-than-average payment schedules for their service. Settlement lenders are also more likely to demand collateral, or assets, in exchange for the small business loans. According to some sources, this may be a requirement as much as 80% of the time. This means you have to give up something of value before you receive the money. You should consider this fact when exploring other options.
What are settlement loans used for?
If your creditors are threatening lawsuits against you or frightening you out of filing bankruptcy, lawsuit loans may be your best option. Some people use these kinds of loans as a last resort to help them avoid foreclosure or repossession. If your credit is not good enough for other types of finances, an online loan could provide the capital needed for financial planning and protection from creditors.
Settlement loans are not for everyone. They can be a fantastic option for someone who is struggling and needs cash now. Even if you are already working with a financial advisor, it could be worthwhile to explore this option. If a lawsuit quick business loans is the best way to solve your finance problems, you should talk to a private lender about that possibility.
Why is settlement loans important?
The whole idea of settlement is to get paid for the injury that you have suffered. In some cases, the legal process can be very complex, particularly if it involves a company that has a large and sophisticated legal department. The insurance company involved in settling with you may ask you to sign an agreement that releases it from future liability. Lawyers will not always agree to this kind of clause in the settlement papers. If they don’t, they could lose a lot of cases due to the fact there is no guarantee they will win future lawsuits against the same defendant. It can help your lawyer pay for their expenses while they are waiting on you to receive an award or settlement from your court case or lawsuit.
Benefits of settlement loans:
1. You will receive funds for living costs:
In most cases, settlement loans tend to cover living expenses like housing, utilities, vehicle maintenance and insurance payments. You may be able to pay off credit cards, outstanding debts, and mortgages on the settlement loan. This means you will be free from interest payment obligations for a short period of time. It also gives you a chance to get back on your feet financially before moving forward with your case.
2. You can get the cash sooner:
One of the main benefits of using settlement loans is the fact they allow you to receive funds much sooner than they are actually owed to you. The average amount of time a lawsuit takes is approximately six months. But you have to account for the time it takes to finish each part of the process – filing a lawsuit, scheduling hearings, and working through all of the documents.
You can get a lawsuit loan to cover immediate expenses and pay off debts sooner. In most cases, this allows you more time to get your financial life back in order. At least you are able to preserve your property and assets while the case works its way through the court system. The settlement loan will allow you free access to cash while the case is pending. You can direct that money towards paying down debt or paying legal bills or fees associated with your case.
3. You don’t usually need strong credit to obtain one:
Many of the lawsuit loans you will find online require good credit. However, you can qualify for a loan even if you don’t have the highest possible credit score. You will still be in a better position to receive funds by applying and getting approved for one of these loans. The reason is because settlement lenders do not care about your credit history and payment history when it comes to approving these kinds of loans. This can help people who are in financial distress or have been denied access to compensation funds in the past.
Final Verdict:
Settlement loans are a good idea if you do not have strong credit and you need the funds needed to get through rough financial times. It will probably take a little bit longer than conventional loans but they can help you persevere when a lawsuit is involved. Most of these kinds of lenders require only that your financial situation is in desperate need of cash.
If you decide to explore as an option, make sure to shop around and fully understand the terms and conditions of your loan prior to signing any documents. All too often people sign agreements that they do not understand – especially if they are desperate for money – because they don’t read them carefully or understand how much their lender will charge them in fees.
