Question

Can I get a lump sum buyout? Should I hire an attorney?

Asked on May 20th 2014 by Skip K.
I have been fully disabled since 2002, and had very little trouble with Mass Mutual. Of course, a major reason for that is my primary disability policy is with Northwestern Mutual. NWML pays a bit over 80% of my private disability, Mass Mutual (then I was with Ct Mutual) pays around 17%. I also have Soc Sec, it having determined my status as fully disabled. NWML was very thorough, including following me around, but ultimately things worked out fine. Ditto Soc Sec, where there was surprising little trouble & things moved quickly. But now I’m in a quandary. I have about a decade left on my Mass Mutual, say around $95,000 total. Because of my kids approaching 18 & going to college, I’d like to do a lump sum agreement with the Mass Mutual policy. It’s simply a case of my disability coming when I was only about 70% “ready” on college planning. But for such a relatively small amount of money is it worth hiring an attorney? It seems unlikely the benefit (higher lump sum) could outweigh the fees. Personally, I’d be fine breaking even (i.e., lawyers can take the value of their services as shown by higher negotiated amount, or “better” present value rate used). But with only reducing $95k slicing off 25% or so for fees seems impracticable. Or am I just ignorant about the whole process?

Answer

Answered on May 21st 2014 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Skip, Please feel free to contact our office to discuss how we may be able to assist you in securing a lump sum buyout.