A company or broker has to be found, who deals with the sale of structured settlement annuity payments.

Buying structured settlement payments is difficult. Find someone who knows what they are doing. Find out how long they have been in business.

Go to your local Department of Consumer Affairs to see if there are any lawsuits being filed against the company or broker buying your settlement.

If the person you are talking to seems genuine and has your interest at heart than you may have the right person. No one has all the answers, but any one who you feel is willing to take the time and make you feel comfortable about what you want to do is the right person. Trust your instincts.

When will I get my money?

This is a complicated process it will take one and half to four months to get your money. Anyone who says faster, run don't walk, because they are not being truthful.

1. A Court Order is required. It is now required by all states for a court order to be issued. If there is no court order, a tax equal to forty percent must be paid on the total amount of payments being sold. Do not fret, this is a good thing ? it makes selling your settlement a little safer.

2. The Insurance Company ? This includes both the issuer and the owner of the annuity. These things do not happen overnight. It takes time when dealing with companies.

3 An expert broker or a company that knows the different funding companies and their requirements will save you time and effort.

4. Check your Insurance Companies Rating? Make sure the Insurance Company has an A rating! Ultimately you will get a higher profit margin when your settlement is sold to larger financial companies. If a company has a lower rating then they may have to sell off settlements at a lower profit margin resulting in a lower price to you.

5. Copy of the annuity, the settlement agreement and release, photo ID, recent payment check , application, any child support payments out standing and ect. are what are required. You get the idea of why you need someone who knows what they are doing.

If you add up all the payments and think you are get something close to that figure, your wrong. Why? If you WAIT for your payments, you will get that amount. Your NOT WAITING, someone else is. They want a profit and they have to wait to get their money back, they gave you. $120. paid today is worth $120. $10. a month paid for 12 month is not worth $120. today. Its worth $120. in one year when you get all the payments. This called the time value of money and to many its confusing. Look at other sources for money like family, friends or a bank loan.

Selling your structured settlement isn't easy. What about a tax consequence? IRS in a private letter ruling said that there isn't any tax liability for selling a structured settlement.

When selling your structured settlement, think about selling only a portion that will meet your current needs, and leave the rest in an annuity so that you will still receive some sort of monthly income. A financial emergency or other unexpected expense may come up requiring you to access and sell a structured settlement payment in the future.

Know that your settlement was meant to be used over time and selling it now can leave you with money problems down the road.

Frank ReCouper Sr. is President of FDR Resources and has been in financial services for over 45 years. For more information: http://www.money-now.net/structured_settlement_resources.htm or http://www.rp-capital.com