First 90 days
Settlement money checklist: slow the process down.
Before funds arrive
- Confirm where funds will be deposited and who can authorize movement.
- List immediate obligations and the first-year spending need.
- Identify whether trust, guardianship, benefits, or care planning issues apply.
- Decide who is allowed in financial conversations.
First 90 days
- Hold a cash reserve before investing long-term money.
- Create a written investment policy before buying products.
- Use a waiting period for large gifts, loans, or lifestyle purchases.
- Review insurance, estate documents, beneficiaries, and emergency contacts.
Useful default: protect the settlement first, then decide what the rest can afford to do.
For context, read the settlement windfall guide and compare structured settlement versus lump sum.
Build a first-90-day plan
We match settlement recipients with advisors who can help organize the early decisions around liquidity, income, and investing.