I recently accepted my first Disclosures Package for a Structured Settlement. The experience was long, but went well over all. I am waiting payment. It was for Asset Security Consultants in San Diego. Does anyone have experience with them or any specific competitors I should be aware of and/or avoid working with? They offered $50 (low ball!). I countered for $100, they accepted and I scheduled the assignment. Moving forward, I think I need to charge more like $200 at least for as intensive and detailed it required me to be. Thoughts anyone?
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I agree about asking for more…but that’s just me. I have done 4 in my 15 years as a notary in Florida - and the only reason it’s only 4 is all 4 were nightmares and I quit doing them.
Too much table time, people having to fill out forms at the table, not having all the information required; one guy was shopping around for better numbers; one lady kept telling me not to tell her son she was doing this - “he’ll kill me” she said, then she called me after the fact and told me her attorney told her she was nuts to sign and get the papers back (too late, they’re already gone) - had to put the attorney in touch with the company to resolve it.
SMH - I did not have one smooth one at all - so I stopped doing them. I hope your experiences are better than mine were. Only you can decide how much (what fee) makes you feel better about doing them.
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Thank you for the feedback! I’m new and had only planned on loan packages but when this came up I thought, “well why not broaden my scope.” After the fact, it was a LONG appt; and like you say, the signers really weren’t ready to make a decision. It required the Financial Lead to be on the phone most of the signing because most questions asked, weren’t topics I was legally able to answer. I don’t think it makes any sense to continue doing them for $100.
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Mine were 2 hours or more at the table each time too - my very first one the company told me “we only pay for notarizations, we don’t pay for travel” - me being a fool thought “Okay, get my foot in the door” - assignment was an hour away - 2 hours at the table, an hour back to my office, then another hour round trip to drop the package - 5 hours for $100…ugh.
I should say here - your experience may be different…maybe I just the lousy luck of the draw. So don’t take my comments to the bank - judge for yourself.
The discussion is a good to have as reference! Thanks for the input!
Yes, Thank you! I received a text to do an annuity 30mi away for $40. I countered at $100, but I have not heard anything back. After reading the comments, I am so glad I did counter.
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those are easy peasy
Glad you detailed about time spent and money per hour, as some agents have been “advocates” for low fees, with the insane reasoning “little by little you make the money”… NO thank you! In my regular job I make $33/hour PLUS insurance and benefits.
Thanks @LindaH-FL for your input on this… I’ll make sure not to take those structured settlements or what fee to ask.
Well, just keep in mind that was MY experience - and when it happens 4 times, well, enough was enough for me. Others may have better experiences - inkmeup said they are easy peasy - they are very detailed and I wouldn’t, personally, call them “easy peasy” - especially what I experienced - nothing easy peasy about any of it.
Like I said - maybe I just got the lousy luck of the draw - each person should make the decision based on the company, their own area, their own comfort level, etc etc.
True, but with your experience and @Karisro experience, I already have an idea what I might get myself involved to if I accept to do one, and what to charge.
The debt consolidation business is a soulless enterprise. The advice that they are giving clients only benefits the companies pedaling these quick fixes. They will also want you to “read” their script and make the client sign in agreement. I don’t like selling and don’t do any job for less than $125
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I don’t even touch these, for two main reasons:
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It’s my understanding that, when you take these assignments, you are not acting as a notary/signing agent anymore but rather as a representative of the debt settlement company. Therefore your notary and/or signing agent E&O insurance will NOT cover you if something goes wrong and someone tries to sue you. You are on your own.
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Like someone else said, debt settlement is a soulless industry. These companies are not actually out to help anyone, they are only out to line their own pockets. People with debt issues should consult with a non-profit debt/credit counseling organization. There are plenty of them and they offer great services for free, for a small donation, or sometimes for a VERY low fee.
PAYING a for-profit company to bring down your debt is as just as silly as it sounds. 99% of the time, these settlements are not wise transactions. More often than not, they require large up-front payments for quack services that may, or may not, ever be provided.
Stay far, far away… that’s my advice.
This topic is about structured settlements - not debt consolidation or debt settlements - two entirely different transactions.
Structured settlements are very common and very legal - usually coming into play when a lawsuit is settled or an insurance payout is required - the structured settlements are approved by the courts (to protect the consumer) and they stretch the monies out over a period of time in regular payments, in the end the recipients receiving more money than originally planned as they get interest on the accumulated funds.
Nothing wrong or illegal about them
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I’ve done several of the same type of signings for this company. They paid on time and the same week.
There’s “debt settlement” and “structured settlement” - very different. Linda H is correct, structured settlements are merely having the signer sign the court-approved documents. Debt settlements are more of a consolidation of delinquent accounts or large debt. I’ve done structured settlement - easy and everyone is happy. I accepted 2 assignments for “debt settlement” and wish I hadn’t. Fortunately, both signers said they wished to think about it more before signing so I was able to cancel with the signing service. And as Katelyn mentioned, the attorney’s office instructs you to represent yourself as being from their office. Not ethical in my opinion.
Every structured settlement I’ve done required signatures on 3 documents, which the signer had before hand to review from their attorney and it was simple. 10 minutes in front of the signer. Love these.
STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS PAY UPWARD OF $150.
Why are you guys refusing to profit and UNDERSELLING YOUR SELF WORTH OF TIME / EFFORT ?? Sigh !! SMH !!
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With all due respect Linda, you are giving shelter to those that should be labeled “buyer beware”. They are telling these clients not to pay their debts so that they can restructure their portfolios and make money while their credit score sinks to rock bottom numbers. Ghastly !!!
All due respect MarkWWoody, but you are thinking of debt settlement/debt restructuring/debt resolution companies - these are not structured settlements; structured settlements are totally different, they are usually annuities and have nothing to do with resolving debts. Read here
Trust me - I am not “giving shelter” to any of those predatory debt resolution practices.
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