Key considerations for anyone exploring a litigation settlement loan
November 23, 2011
A settlement loan from BridgePoint can be a lifeline for accident victims struggling to make it through the litigation process. However, every situation is different and borrowing against a future settlement may not be the best solution. The following are key considerations for anyone exploring a litigation settlement loan.
Have other financing options been explored?
Loans against future settlements should only be considered as a last resort once other less expensive alternatives have been exhausted (including family, friends and more traditional lenders such as banks if the required monthly payments can be maintained).
Discuss your situation with your lawyer.
Your lawyer is the best source of information about the status of your claim and any financial benefits you may be entitled to. While ultimately the decision to borrow funds against a future settlement is yours to make, it is important for your lawyer to understand your financial situation and for you and your lawyer to discuss the pros and cons of your available options. Never commit to a settlement loan offer without your lawyer's advice!
Determine your true financial needs before applying.
Settlement loans are not intended for discretionary purchases and should only be considered to pay for:
- Necessary basic living expenses (rent, utilities, food, etc.);
- Reasonable and necessary med/rehab, attendant care or other treatment services where insurance coverage is not available;
- Refinancing higher interest debt or to cover minimum monthly debt payments on bank or credit card debt that may be in default;
- Reasonable disbursements for your legal claim if these are not covered under the retainer agreement with your lawyer.
- Don't borrow more than you need!
If a settlement loan is required, consider a "staged" loan.
If the loan is to be used to cover ongoing living expenses, a "staged" loan where predetermined amounts are advanced to you each month may be a good option. Staged loans offer borrowers the peace of mind of a regular source of funds while reducing interest costs compared to lump sum loans (interest only accrues once funds are advanced). Depending on a borrower's needs, a combination lump sum/staged loan can be arranged.
Once a decision to pursue a settlement loan has made – comparison shop for the best terms.
Many borrowers (and their lawyers) mistakenly assume that the terms offered between different litigation lenders are similar. In fact, the total financing costs between the main litigation lenders in Canada can vary between 20% to over 50% per year. Unfortunately, many litigation lenders do not disclose their loan terms up front and several add an array of fees, charges and interest rate fluctuations over time which can be very confusing to borrowers wishing to know the true cost of the loans.
The following are suggested questions that borrowers can ask each litigation lender to make a proper "apples to apples" comparison:
- What interest rate will apply to the loan and will it fluctuate over time?
- How often will interest be compounded? (How frequently is interest charged on already accrued interest. For loans that may be outstanding for years with no interim payments, loans with more frequent compounding - i.e. monthly vs semi-annually or annually - will accrue much greater interest over time.)
- What admin fees or charges aside from interest will I incur? Where such fees are involved, learn if they are to be deducted from the initial loan proceeds or added to the principal (and hence accrue additional interest over time). For example, one major lender charges a 20% admin fee which is deducted from the loan proceeds meaning a borrower of $5,000 only actually receives $4,000 (put pays interest on the full $5,000).
- Is the litigation lender collecting fees or charges on behalf of any other service provider? Some litigation lenders have active ties to "Pay Day" lending companies who charge a further 10% to 20% of the total loan amount for their cheque cashing service.
- Is there a minimum interest period? This is particularly important for borrowers who expect their settlement quickly.
- To compare charges between lenders, ask several how much in total would be owed on a loan at various repayment dates (i.e. 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years). Ensure the lender factors in all fees.
Do not deal with any lender who is unwilling to provide in writing the information requested above.
Don't borrow more than you need!
Finally, be sure to also have your lawyer review any loan documentation before you sign!
Please contact us if you have any further questions regarding settlement loans.
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