There are many types of cases that qualify for loans for pending lawsuits, including personal injury cases such as automobile accidents; malpractice as in medical-legal, accounting, or construction; wrongful termination; discrimination; harassment; and much more. Lawsuit funding is available in most states and can be a very beneficial source of funds.
The fees charged by lawsuit loan companies can vary dramatically but it is usually best to stick with the larger companies, like Global Financial (http://www.glofin.com) because their larger volume of work allows for lower pricing. Usually a funding company will charge either a monthly fee or a flat fee depending on the risk associated with the claim.
Claimants should ask themselves one question before applying for a cash advance against their pending claim; will the advance received pay the immediate and necessary living expenses? A cash advance should be accepted only if the answer is “yes.” If the answer is no then it might be wise to hold off and wait before applying for a lawsuit loan or cash advance against a pending claim. In addition, a lawsuit loan may be a very important tool when the defendant’s insurance carrier decides to make a lowball offer for settlement in the claim. The claimant can then use a lawsuit loan as a financial tool to say no to the lowball offer and have the financial strength to wait for a higher and fairer settlement.
If a plaintiff takes a cash advance against the pending legal claim and the claim is then unsuccessful, the plaintiff gets to keep the money that was advanced. Thus the cash advance guarantees that the claim will be financially successful either by way of the cash advance or by way of settlement or judgment.
Most of the companies advance clients and attorneys the funds they may need while their cases are pending. This can eliminate any uncomfortable ethical questions between the client and the attorney. Companies allow the attorney to complete his or her case strategy, helping to avoid early and less profitable settlements. Some companies assess the qualifications of the case within 48 hours after receipt of the required case file material. If approved, the check is often sent the very next day.
By: Kevin Stith
Loans. Adults cannot live with them, yet most people are unable to live without borrowing money. Buying a new car requires a loan, except for the rare individual who can pay in cash, like Bill Gates; a homeowner will have to acquire a mortgage for the next 20-30 years; and, a post-secondary education often means taking out a loan, to pay for books, tuition and living expenses.
In some cases federal loans are available through the Veteran’s Administration for housing. Federal loans can help for disaster relief, or agricultural needs for farmers and ranchers. However, when discussing federal loan consolidation, most people immediately consider the unsubsidized and subsidized money used to finance a college education.
A college education is a costly venture, yet definitely worth the investment of time and money. However, the tuition and fees often discourage some potential students from trading in the spatula of a fast food restaurant, and picking up a textbook. A post-secondary degree program seems like an impossible dream, rather than an obtainable goal.
Nevertheless, after careful consideration, and a brief visit with a financial aid officer, unsubsidized and subsidized student loans are available for a two-year degree, a Bachelor’s, a Masters, or a Doctorate. Federal loans consolidation takes place AFTER an individual is done receiving a formal education. The loans are usually made available every year.
Because the cost of learning is beyond the average pocketbook, many students take advantage of both a subsidized and unsubsidized loan, with the plan to take advantage of federal loan consolidation after school. Once accepted for the federal loan program, students are offered the opportunity to accept, or reject, a student loan at the beginning of the school year. In many cases, both types of loans are presented, to give an individual the extra money needed to pay off expenses, and maybe have a little left to live on, without having to hold down a full-time job.
If only one loan is needed, opt to accept the subsidized version. Not only will the payment schedule not be instituted until six months after leaving school, but also the interest will not start accruing either. Although interest may seem like small potatoes, in the long-term, subsidized loans can save thousands in repayment dollars.
When more financial assistance is necessary, an unsubsidized student loan is also available, and the financial aid will later qualify for federal loan consolidation. However, for this particular avenue of financial assistance, the interest starts building immediately, even though repayment is still not required until after graduation.
So, imagine both loans were necessary to complete a degree program. Before the six-month grace period has expired, federal loan consolidation can be implemented, saving up to 54% in monthly payment amounts. How? Prior to consolidation, the length of the loan is ten years. If the loans are consolidated, the length of the loan can be extended by five-ten years, making the payments more affordable.
In addition, federal loan consolidation also reduces the ultimate interest rate. Thus, the two monthly payments combined will probably be less than repayment of one loan individually. For example, the unsubsidized loan payment may be around $200/per month. In addition, the subsidized loan is going to be another $200. Two separate bills, one big chuck of the monthly income. By implementing federal loan consolidation, the loan is repayable in 20 years, and the monthly amount is only 46% of the anticipated $400. Now, the payments are a manageable $184/per month.
One problem. Consider the following scenario: a student earns a two-year degree at a local community college to save some money. Then, he/she transfers to a university to complete a four-year program. A Master’s in a particular field is only offered at selected locations, so transferring is again necessary. Three different schools. Three different sets of lenders. No problem!
Federal loan consolidation will combine all the loans, pay off the necessary lenders, and leave only one bill, one lender, to repay. So, whether an individual goes to one university or four, federal loan consolidation will not only reduce the payment amount, but make repayment infinitely easier, in the long run.
The only drawback of federal loan consolidation, worth mentioning, is the reduced grace period. If a graduate decides consolidation is the right choice, the process must be completed before the six-month post-education period expires. Unfortunately, once the federal loan consolidation process has been completed, the repayment process begins. The borrower loses any remaining grace period.
However, since federal loan consolidation can save a former student from drowning under the weight of two, or more, loans, giving up a couple months of grace period is a small price to pay. Unless a graduate lands the perfect dream job right after the caps are tossed in the air, federal loan consolidation can be a lifesaver.
By: Erol Orderland
A Student Finance Corpration is an organization which handles lending to students for educational purposes and similar or related matters. Normally the loan would cover tuition fees and other associated expenses like lab fee, living expenses, money for books, etc.
Who can get this loan?
Most student loans come in a variety of forms and the eligibility for them varies. The two broad types are federal and private. There are various types of loans for undergraduates, graduate and degree courses. The amounts depend on one’s financial standing, grades, course for which application is being made.
You’ll find that the Student Finance Corpration has two broad umbrellas under which it provides loans – Federal and private loans. Federal loans are provided under the Federal Family Education Loan Program and are guaranteed by the government. Among Federal Loans Stafford loans are the most common ones and are subsidized and otherwise. Perkins Loans is another Federal Loan which is more desirable because of the terms on which it is available. However, each campus is only allotted with a limited amount of Perkins loans and it’s normally allocated to students with the greatest financial needs.
On private loans. the persons financial standing play a much more crucial role in determining the loan amount than the financial needs and they are based on your credit ratings etc.
OK – How do I get the loan?
Accordingly, the student finance corprations disburse the loan directly to the schools normally and the schools after charging for their tuition etc. will pass on whatever remains as a balance to you in the form of a check.
Do I have to pay interest?
Mostly this depends on whether you have a subsidized or unsubsidized loan. A subsidized loan is one where the government pays the interest on the loan while you are attending school and is given on a need basis. The interest rate is generally floating however, the popular Stafford loan program does not exceed 8.25% and it’s currently at 5.3%.
Interest rates for the Perkins loan is just 5% whereas PLUS – a loan which is yet again another Federal loan is currently at 6.1%. (at time of writing)
Interest rates for the private loans depends on your credit ratings and usually is between 1 – 7% of the Prime Interest Rate.
You should keep in mind that while the ‘not for profit organizations’ do not charge any fee, other organizations (apart from charging interest) may also charge a fee which can again be around 4% of the loan.
In most cases the interest starts accumulating as soon as the loan is disbursed so even when you are not repaying the loan you are being charged interest which you’ll have to pay back later.
How do I repay the loan?
After finishing your course there is normally a six month grace period after which you will have to commence repayment of the loan. In the case of a subsidized loan there will be no interest in this grace period as well. Normally the repayment period will not exceed 10% and in the case of some loans like the Perkins loan, you’ll normally be asked to pay the school directly.
Here again there are various ways in which the student finance corpration can ask you to repay the loan. There can be fixed payments which mean that you will have to pay the same amount each consecutive month until the end of the loan. Or, there could be a repayment scheme which is based on your gross monthly income.
Then there are two tiered and four tiered repayment options which basically involve lesser outgoings at first and then gradually the payment is increased.
If you have taken multiple loans then there is an option for consolidation of these loans as well. What this basically means is that all your loans will be clubbed together by the corporation and the longest term will be taken with the interest rate as the weighted interest rate of all your loans.
When you pay the installment you save tax!
The amount that you repay is allowed as a deduction for tax purposes and the maximum than can be claimed is $2500 over the life of the loan repayment.
By: Bill Darken