STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS NORTH CAROLINA TRIAL JUDGES BENCH BOOK, SUPERIOR COURT, VOL. 2 (Civil), Structured Settlements, at pp. 4-7 (3d ed.) (Institute of Government 1999) A. THE APPROVAL HEARING 1. Plaintiff (parents, guardian, personal representative) and all trial counsel must be present. 2. Hearing should be on record. 3. Evidence of plaintiff's injuries must be received. Medical and hospital records may be used. 4. In wrongful death cases, evidence of who is entitled to recover, as well as age, capabilities, etc., of deceased should be in the record. 5. To estimate ability of defendant to pay, ascertain limits of insurance, if any, and other assets of defendant. 6. Explain the following to plaintiff (parents, guardian, personal representative): a. True value of settlement (the computed present value) to plaintiff as opposed to total payout of plan over a period of years; b. Terms of the payment, and the fact that plaintiff cannot modify terms in the event of a future change in circumstances; c. That attorneys' fees, computed on present value of settlement rather than total payout of periodic payments, will take the bulk of the initial cash payment. 7. Be certain that all parties can understand that the structured settlement is an optional means of settlement and that they are entitled to pursue an allcash settlement or proceed to trial if desired. 8. Question plaintiff (parents, guardian, personal representative) as to whether he or she thinks the settlement is fair and reasonable. 9. The court must determine whether the settlement is in the best interest of any minor or incompetent. Settlements - 1
10. Be sure all parties and counsel sign the judgment before you do. This is a consent judgment, and once signed by the judge, it cannot be set aside by the judge. Holden v. Holden, 245 N.C. 1 (1956). Relief from judgment on grounds listed in Rule 60(b) is available, however, in the discretion of the judge before whom such a motion is brought. See, e.g., Goodwin v. Cashwell, 102 N.C. App. 275 (1991) (no abuse of discretion in denying defendants' motion to set aside judgment because whether mistake of fact had been made or had been mutual was not evident from the terms of the settlement agreement). B. THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT 1. If the settlement is structured pursuant to the provisions of 104(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code and relevant revenue rulings it will be tax-free to the recipient. a. Payments must be fixed and determinable as to amount and time of payment. b. Plaintiff can have no ownership rights of any type in the annuity or other funds relied upon to make future payments (i.e., right to change beneficiary, right to the discounted present value of the agreed payments, right to control investment). c. Payments may not be subject to acceleration, deferral, increase, or decrease "by recipient of such payments." d. Settlement agreement should spell out that payments are solely for pain and suffering and not for lost income. (Payments for lost compensation might be taxable, but point is not settled.) e. Plaintiff must rely upon the general credit of the defendant or its insurer for payment of the obligation, and defendant or insurer cannot be required to set aside assets to guarantee payments. (Plaintiff must not have rights against the defendant or the insurer greater than those of a general creditor.) f. The liability of the insurance company writing the annuity to the plaintiff may be no greater than the obligation of the defendant or the defendant's liability insurer. 2. Adequate cash must be provided at the time of settlement to pay accrued medical expenses, attorneys' fees, and some cash to plaintiff. Settlements - 2
3. Consideration should be given to satisfaction of third-party claims from the cash available at settlement (workers' compensation, Medicaid, etc.) 4. Periodic payments should be guaranteed to plaintiff, his estate, or his designee for a reasonable period of time (usually, 20-year guarantee will not affect cost substantially). 5. Consideration should be given to increasing payments annually or periodically to provide for inflation. Plaintiffs may reject this because earlier payments are smaller, but potential should be explored. Annual increases of 4% to 6% compounded can usually be negotiated and provide increased total payout for person with long expectancy. 6. Consideration should be given to provision for future medical expenses and rehabilitation needs either through medical trust or future lump sum payments. 7. Consideration should be given to future lump sum payments in lieu of larger monthly payments. The real present values of each should be compared. 8. True present value of future monthly and periodic payments must have been computed by an accountant, attorney, or other qualified person, and evidence of present value should be presented in writing to the court. 9. If annuity is used to fund future payments, the defendant should be required to obtain the annuity from an insurance carrier with sufficient assets to create likelihood of continued solvency (preferably a company having the highest rating by A.M. Best and Co., Oldwich, N.J.). 10. Settlement agreement must be signed by proper corporate officials. If parties signing are not corporate officers, evidence of authority to sign must be attached. C. ASSISTANCE FROM LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES. Many life insurance companies are equipped to provide expert technical information and suggestions about "periodic payment" (structured) settlements. Some of them will provide this service without charge. Settlements - 3
QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK THE PAYEE Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Spivey (from presentation at Summer 2008 Superior Court Judges Conference) State your full name and age. Are you married? Do you have children or other dependents? What is your educational background and work experience? Do you have sources of income, other than this structured settlement? What happened to you that resulted in this structured settlement? Is there a beneficiary listed in the structured settlement agreement in the event of your death? Do you presently want to sell part of or all of your structured settlement proceeds to this company? Initially, did you contact them, or did they contact you? What are you attempting to sell to them? Did you receive independent professional advice from a licensed professional about these arrangements? Do you have a letter from that independent professional verifying this consultation? Did you go out and find this independent professional or was this person recommended to you by the company? Who paid their fees? Did you specifically talk about the tax ramifications of selling your future payments to this company? Do you understand that the attorney for the company represents the company that is buying your structured settlement for a discounted amount, they do not represent you or your interests? Do you understand the total amount of the payments that you would receive over time that you are now asking to transfer to this company? What is that amount? Do you understand the present value of the payments that you are asking to transfer, according to the company s computations? What is that amount? Do you understand how much you would be receiving as a lump sum if I approve this request? What is that amount? Do you know what percent of the present value this lump sum represents? What is that percentage? What fees are you paying to the company for this transfer? Settlements - 4
Are you presently involved in a bankruptcy proceeding? Are you presently subject to a separation agreement or a divorce decree? Have you made a motion to the court before to transfer all of or part of your structured settlement? If so, what was the stated reason at that time that was the basis of your motion? If granted, did you use the proceeds for that purpose? Do you recognize Exhibit #1, the disclosure statement, which sets out all of the terms of this transfer arrangement? How long ago did you first see this? Did you read the entire exhibit? Are familiar with it? Is this your signature on the last page of the exhibit? What were your injuries that originally resulted in this structured settlement? How old were you when that happened? Do you still receive medical treatment or do you have permanent injuries from that accident? Why do you want to transfer your structured settlement to this company for an amount which is (much) less than you would otherwise receive over time? What will you do with the money if the court were to approve this transfer? Do you realize that if I approve this, you can t come back later and get your money back or change your mind? Do you understand that you would receive $ if I approve this transfer today? Do you understand that if you didn t transfer your structured settlement, that you would receive $ over the life of the settlement as it presently exists? Do you understand that you re only getting company? % of the present value as calculated by the Considering all the things I ve asked you about, do you wish to have additional time to think about the advisability of your request? Do you realize that if I approve this request it would end your payments pursuant to the structured settlement from this day forward (if payee is selling all payments)? Are there any interested parties here who wish to be heard? Settlements - 5
APPROVING UNSTRUCTURED WRONGFUL DEATH SETTLEMENTS NORTH CAROLINA TRIAL JUDGES BENCH BOOK, SUPERIOR COURT, VOL. 2 (Civil), Structured Settlements, at pp. 7-8 (3d ed.) (Institute of Government 1999) A. GENERAL RULE [G.S. 28A-13-3(23) (as amended 1995)]. A wrongful death settlement, whether in litigation or not, requires the approval of a judge if one or more persons entitled to share in the recovery is a minor or incompetent. If an action has been filed, the judge having jurisdiction over the action approves the settlement. If no action has been filed, either a superior or district court judge may approve the settlement. (Claims brought under the Tort Claims Act, G.S. Ch. 143, Art. 31, are subject to the approval of the Industrial Commission.) B. CHECK THE RECORD 1. Weigh the strength of plaintiff's case. Damages recoverable for death by wrongful act are listed in G.S. 28A-18-2(b) and include punitive damages for wrongfully causing decedent's death through malice or willful or wanton conduct, as defined in G.S. 1D-5. See NORTH CAROLINA TRIAL JUDGES BENCH BOOK, SUPERIOR COURT, VOL. 2 (Civil), Chap. 29: Punitive Damages. 2. Are there any real defenses? C. THE APPROVAL HEARING 1. Personal representative and counsel must be present. 2. Estimate ability of defendant to pay. Ascertain: a. Limits of insurance, if any, and b. Other assets of defendant. 3. Hearing should be recorded. 4. Evidence of decedent's injuries must be received. Medical and hospital records may be used. 5. Evidence of who is entitled to recover and of the age, capabilities, etc., of deceased should be in record. 6. Question personal representative and counsel as to whether they think settlement is fair and reasonable. Settlements - 6
7. Determine if the interests of any minors or incompetents are protected. 8. Inquire about fee arrangement and explain attorneys' fees to personal representative. 9. Determine fee, considering difficulty of work done, time spent, results obtained, and usual and customary charges in area for services rendered. 10. Be sure all parties and counsel sign judgment before you do. NOTE: The recovery is subject to reasonable funeral, hospital, and medical expenses not in excess of $4500, which must be approved by the Clerk of Superior Court; any adversely affected party may appeal from Clerk's ruling to superior court "in term time." G.S. 28A-18-2. Settlements - 7
APPROVING UNSTRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS FOR MINORS AND INCOMPETENTS See: G.S. 1-402 NORTH CAROLINA TRIAL JUDGES BENCH BOOK, SUPERIOR COURT, VOL. 2 (Civil), Structured Settlements, at pp. 8-9 (3d ed.) (Institute of Government 1999) A. CHECK THE RECORD 1. Weigh the strength of plaintiff's case. 2. Are there any viable defenses? B. THE APPROVAL HEARING 1. Minor and his or her counsel must be present; parent(s) or guardian should be present. 2. Estimate ability of defendant to pay. Ascertain: a. Limits of insurance, if any, and b. Other assets of defendant. 3. Hearing should be recorded. 4. Evidence of plaintiff's injuries must be received. Medical and hospital records may be used. 5. Question representative of minor and parents as to whether they think settlement is fair and reasonable. Court should determine precise amount minor will receive (in trust fund) and find that this amount is fair and reasonable. 6. Explain to minor and parents or representative about attorneys' fees. a. Determine fee yourself; do not automatically adopt attorney's figures. Consider: (1) difficulty of work done, Settlements - 8
(2) time spent, (3) results obtained, and (4) usual and customary charges in area for services rendered. 7. Determine whether settlement is fair and reasonable and in best interest of minor under all circumstances. 8. Explain to parents and minor or representative that minor's money will be held by Clerk of Superior Court until guardian is appointed or minor reaches age 18. a. Medical or hospital bills cannot be paid with plaintiff's recovery; they are legal responsibilities of the parents. b. Parents' expenses cannot be paid from plaintiff's recovery. 9. Be sure all parties and counsel sign judgment before you do. 1999 School of Government The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This document may not be copied or posted online, nor transmitted, in printed or electronic form, without the written permission of the School of Government, except as allowed by fair use under United States copyright law. For questions about use of the document and permission for copying, contact the School of Government at sales@sog.unc.edu or call 919.966.4119. Settlements - 9