What is the Structured Settlement Expert Directory?
The Structured Settlement Expert Directory is the only comprehensive and objective directory listing of experts, agents, brokers and attorneys who specialize in the design, planning and placement of structured settlements. It is national in scope and will shortly have listed experts, with verified professional profiles in all 50 states and most major metropolitan areas.
How do I find a structured settlement expert in my city or state?
The quickest way to locate a structured settlement expert in your state is to simply click on the state, city or region listing on the right side of the web page and you will find the expert or agent for your state or metro region. If we don't currently have a confirmed expert for your particular state or city, please email us at service@speakingofsettlements.com and we will work to assist you.
How can I find out more about an expert in my state that I might want to contact?
Each expert profile will provide the name, address and contact number for the agent, or agents, in your state or metro region. We will also provide photos, video interviews, links to their web pages and social profiles, so that you are able to learn more about them, their professional practice and to decide if you would like to contact them directly. While the owners of the directory make every attempt to verify the professional status and experience of each expert listed, please understand that we can not endorse any particular agent or expert. You need to do your own due diligence in researching them, but our standards for listing and staying listed typically provide you with a base line of information necessary to determine if a particular agent or expert is someone you want to work with.
What are the minimum standards for listing of an expert in the directory?
The standards for inclusion in the directory include the following:
- The agent must agree to a phone interview and verification process administered by the directory owners.
- We determine if the settlement planner or expert is licensed in the state in which they are lists and if they have evidence of carrying professional liability coverage specific to underwriting and placing structured settlements.
- Listed experts and agents must belong to one of the two industry professional associations, either SSP or NSSTA, and have demonstrated that they have been continuously engaged in the structured settlement profession for at least 5 years.
- The listed agent must have an actual, physical office in the state for which they are listed, not a "virtual office" or drop box. Home based offices are fine as long as the agent will take appointments at that location if requested. Exceptions to this rule are states in which no agents exist that have office locations, in which case the directory listing will be noted as a virtual, or state adjacent, location OR if in the opinion of the directory the agent or expert has a demonstrated history of working with clients in that state for a period of ten years or longer. In that case the listing will be noted as "out of state."
Who manages the directory?
The Structured Settlement Expert Directory is sponsored and administered by Speaking of Settlements and Wahlstrom & Associates.
Who provides the content and broadcasts for the directory?
The content for the directory is provided by Speaking of Settlements news feed, the weekly broadcast of the Settlement Channel and Legal Broadcast Network. All directory members will be required to produce at least two videos annually to discuss issues of local and regional importance in the state for which they are listed.