LAYWER'S SECTION

DESIGNING AN ANNUITY TO SUIT A CLIENTS NEEDS

Consider the following in designing a schedule of payments for the plaintiff:

1. How much money is available to be structured?
   
   
2. What are the plaintiff’s immediate cash needs? A lump sum can be paid at the time of settlement to pay legal fees, or to fund the purchase or modification of equipment to meet the plaintiff’s immediate needs.
   
   
3. What are the plaintiff’s future cash flow needs on a month-to-month basis?
   
   
4. What intermittent lump sum payments will the plaintiff need for major future expenses (e.g., an education, a house, modifications to equipment, an automobile)?
   
   
5. What is the anticipated inflation rate (for indexing)?
   
   
6. How long will the plaintiff’s dependents remain in need of support?