- 1). Clarify exactly what damages or payments you are required to give to the plaintiff. The language of the settlement itself should include details such as monthly payments or lump-sum options.
- 2). Pay court costs in addition to any restitution or payment to the plaintiff if your case was handled in small-claims court, where the relatively small amounts at stake lend themselves to simple payment in cash or by check.
- 3). Deposit your settlement with a funds-distribution corporation if your case was complicated, or if you are paying more than one plaintiff, as in a class-action lawsuit. In this case, your attorney will consult with the plaintiffs' attorney to organize distribution of funds.
- 4). Arrange for payments if you do not have enough money pay your settlement up front. The other party's attorney may be willing to propose a payment plan that sounds reasonable to both parties. This is usually decided before the settlement is made official.
- 5). Follow through on your obligation to the plaintiff. Failure to pay a settlement may result in the court freezing your funds or garnishing your wages. In this case, your only option is to pay the settlement in full, or the court will take whatever action it sees fit to collect your unpaid obligations. Once your wages are garnished or your account is frozen, you can no longer negotiate payments that are convenient for you.
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