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Questions to ask about settlement funding
If bills are arriving while a claim is unresolved, begin with the amount you need and the written terms of any proposed funding. This checklist helps you prepare a discussion with your attorney and a provider; it does not select a financial product for you.
By SettlementLift. Published · Updated .
Start with the immediate need
List the expense, its due date and the amount needed. Ask the person or organization you owe whether a payment arrangement or assistance program is available. If you compare another source of funds, write down its costs and obligations too. An alternative is useful only if it fits your circumstances; availability and terms need to be checked.
Ask for dollars, dates and the full agreement
Request the amount you would actually receive after any deductions, every fee, and the total amount that would be due if the case resolves at several different dates. For example, ask for written figures at six, twelve and eighteen months. Ask whether charges compound, when they stop growing, and whether another advance would change the calculation. Use the same dates when comparing offers.
Clarify what happens if the outcome changes
Ask what the agreement requires if the claim produces no recovery, produces less than expected, or takes longer than expected. Ask which provisions could create a repayment obligation or other consequence. Have your attorney explain any assignment, lien, payment direction, exceptions and dispute terms before signing. Do not substitute a marketing phrase for the agreement’s actual language.
Check the rules that apply to the transaction
State rules and the type of agreement matter. For example, Utah’s Maintenance Funding Practices Act separately defines consumer and commercial agreements and includes provider registration requirements. That example does not establish the rules or eligibility in another state. Ask which state’s law applies, what registration or licensing is required, and how you can verify the provider’s status.
Utah Code: Maintenance Funding Practices Act ↗Discuss the effect on your eventual proceeds
Ask your attorney to walk through how the proposed funding would be paid from a recovery, alongside attorney fees, case expenses and other amounts owed. Keep estimates labeled as estimates. Ask who can make decisions about the case and how the agreement addresses disagreements. Keep a copy of the complete signed agreement and any written explanations.
Understand SettlementLift’s role
SettlementLift is an information and inquiry resource, not a law firm or direct funding provider. It does not decide case outcomes, promise funding approval, or quote a provider’s final terms. Your inquiry requests follow-up from SettlementLift or a service partner. We may share details reasonably needed for that response as explained in our privacy notices. A funding offer requires a separate provider review.