If you want to sell your structured settlement and get a lump sum, you'll need a great buyer of structured settlement payments to make sure you get the highest lump sum possible. Hundreds of brokers are out there to help you locate funding sources. There are also some major funding companies that will buy your settlement payments directly.

Take a look and make sure you consult multiple companies and compare quotes. By doing a little homework, you'll get a feel for the market and will have a much better chance of choosing a good buyer of structured settlement payments.

No matter whom you choose to buy your settlement payments - broker or funding company, make sure you take a look at the following:

·What is the company's history?

·How long has the company been in business?

·Does the company list names of managers or owners?

·What are the company's credentials?

·Is the company listed with the Better Business Bureau?

·Do they list testimonials from clients or customers that can be verified?

·Do they have a list of frequently asked questions that shows they have the necessary knowledge to be a successful buyer of structured settlements?

·Do they tell you if it's in your best interests to sell just a partial amount of your settlement and not the whole thing?

·Do they list in dollars the volume of cases they've handled?

·Are you comfortable that you're being given time to make a decision and not being rushed?

·Do they provide you with a free quote?

Thirty nine states have legislation that permits you to sell structured settlement payments only after a judge has approved the sale (but keep in mind laws are always changing). Therefore, your own lawyer is going to have to review the documentation provided by the buyer of structured settlement payments you go through with it. Only after a judge approved the sale would you be able to receive the lump sum.