Settlement Planning
“What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?”
– George Eliot
Empathetic Service, Altruistic Assistance
People who have suffered physical, emotional, or mental injuries need someone to help them preserve and grow their settlement award. Whether the client is a minor, someone with disabilities, an incapacitated adult, or an individual receiving public assistance, Mirena and her team give each client personal attention by equipping them with tools to decide what best suits their situation and case.
Straight from Our Clients
“The thing that most impresses me is the way she handles things and customizes what she brings to the table for the individual needs of my clients.” - Paul C. Perkins Jr., Attorney
“I felt that I had someone on my side that was fighting for my children’s needs that we can meet them now and long term.” - Penny Jones, Client
Settlement Planning Services
Each plan is individually tailored to meet the client’s needs, either for the
short or long-term.
Mirena and her team will give them the dedication they deserve and assist them every step of the way.
Mass Tort Settlement Resolution
Mass tort cases can be complex, long-term affairs, involving multiple individuals, entities, and requirements that demand meticulous coordination and management. Mirena’s extensive expertise in mass tort claims enables her to provide a comprehensive level of advisory and administrative support on both routine and special matters, facilitated by an established network of experts and partners nationwide.
She prides herself in her personalized, responsive, and compassionate assistance to the clients, allowing their attorneys to focus on the task of fighting for their rights and delivering a favorable resolution.
Qualified Settlement Funds
Also known as a QSF or 468B Trust, Qualified Settlement Funds is a key settlement tool in many court cases, offering important advantages and protection for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Mirena provides expert consultation and support for QTFs from start to finish, from establishment and administration to disbursement and structured settlements in strict compliance with all legal and agreed-upon requirements. A well-designed QTF can encourage and hasten an acceptable settlement for both parties.
Medicare Set-Asides
A Medicare Set-Aside account, or MSA, is a special kind of trust arising from the settlement of a worker’s compensation or personal injury claim. Funded by the estimated cost of future medical treatments related to the injury, the set-aside will allow the claimant to receive Medicare benefits only after the lump sum or structured trust is exhausted.
Mirena can help claimants navigate Medicare’s complex MSA provisions, determine the ideal set-aside amount, and provide guidance in setting up an MSA account.
Government Benefits Preservation
Prior to concluding a lawsuit, it is crucial for claimants to examine how their settlement proceeds may affect their eligibility for public benefit programs. If one is not careful, it is possible to lose eligibility for government benefits upon receiving a certain amount of settlement money. With Mirena’s knowledge of preservation methods and benefit analysis, she can help claimants navigate the nuances of settlement implications.
Through a thorough examination of the claimant’s eligibility status and needs, Mirena can help you plan and direct the administration of awarded settlements to safeguard and retain your benefits.
Trust Services
In the face of flexibility, eligibility, or liquidity difficulties, it may be in the plaintiff’s best interest to place all or part of their settlement proceeds in a trust. There are various types of trusts to choose from, depending on the claimant’s individual circumstances.
Mirena can provide expert assistance in the establishment, funding, and maintenance of various trusts, including fulfilling eligibility guidelines and requirements, insight regarding payoff methods, selection of suitable trust types, and providing a network of reliable and reputable trust attorneys and trustees. Through the right kind of trust, claimants can secure their settlement proceeds according to their current and future needs.
Probate Coordination
To receive settlement proceeds from a deceased individual’s estate, some claimants must undergo a legal process of administering the estate. This process is known as probate, and it involves examining and distributing the assets following either a lawful court order or the decedent’s requests as outlined in a valid will.
In partnership with industry specialists and probate experts, Mirena can help you maneuver through the entire probate process in an organized, coordinated manner. She understands that the probate process can be intricate and stressful, and she is ready to ease your burden by guiding you every step of the way.
Structured Settlement Annuities
In some legal cases, claimants in personal injury, wrongful death, or worker’s compensation can opt to receive their settlement in a series of periodic payments. Structured settlement annuities offer advantages compared to lump-sum settlements, such as full tax-free or tax deferment, guaranteed payments and rate of returns, and no overhead fees.
Mirena can advise claimants of various annuity options, help find a reputable third-party settlement carrier, and set up the terms of periodic payments according to the claimant’s needs.
Lien Resolution Services
Settlement disbursements can be held up due to unresolved liens, and failure to resolve them in a timely manner can result in heavy penalties. These can include liens from Medicare or Medicaid, private healthcare, or Veterans Affairs. Mirena works with reputable lien professionals to provide you with expert lien resolution services from start to completion. She assists in identifying and auditing current and potential liens, coordinating and filing administrative requirements, negotiating lower or waived fees, and ensuring compliance with state and federal policies.
Mirena can provide these services for single cases involving individual claimants, or mass tort cases involving hundreds of people. Through timely, efficient, and compliant lien resolutions, she can help you secure an advantageous settlement outcome.
Non-Qualified Structured Settlements
Some settlements are not qualified for income tax exclusion under the Internal Revenue Code, such as employment litigation, contract disputes, and punitive damages. Fortunately, these can still be structured into settlement annuities, which may not have income tax inclusion but are still tax-deferred, with the pre-tax funds earning interest. Mirena can help you set up these periodic payments, which can give you a stable source of long-term income.
Market-Based Structured Settlements
Aside from regular structured settlements, which are based on life insurance investments, claimants may also choose market-based structured settlements, which can offer tax-free and tax-deferred incentives as well as market-driven growth potential.
Mirena can easily provide advice and guidance on setting up a flexible and balanced investment portfolio that acheives your financial goals.
Attorney Fee Deferrals
Depending on the case, some attorneys have the choice of deferring payment by placing all or a portion of their contingency fees in tax-advantaged investments, which also defers the tax obligation until the year of final payment.
Mirena can assist and guide attorneys who want to take advantage of this unique benefit, providing expert advice and options on how to structure the investment based on key needs and preferences, such as flexibility or growth. Through this smart investment strategy, lawyers can optimize the returns from their income.
What People Are Saying
“Mirena and her wonderful staff, from Susan to Emily, are incredibly knowledgeable, caring, attentive, and always prepared. They have gone above and beyond in ensuring we always receive the best information for our financial planning. They are always available to guide their clients and answer any questions that may come. I can honestly say that I [feel] rest assured knowing that they will guide me through any financial planning I wish to achieve. They are a pleasure to work with. Mirena & Co. always have their clients’ interests at heart."
- Liliana Leopardi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Art and Architecture
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Houghton House, Geneva, NY 14456
