How does this affect my attorney's fee?

It does not. Your attorney's contingency fee is calculated the same way; the advance is repaid from the client's share of the settlement.

Is a pre-settlement cash advance a loan?

No. It is non-recourse funding tied to your personal injury claim. There are no monthly payments, and if your case does not recover, you owe nothing.

Do I need good credit or a job to qualify?

No. AARC does not run a credit check and does not require employment or income verification. Approval is based on the strength of your claim and your attorney's representation.

How fast can I get funded?

Most approved applicants receive funds in as little as 24 hours once AARC has the case documents from your attorney.

How much does it cost?

AARC uses a flat fee rather than compounding monthly interest. Typical advances are $500, $750, or $1,000, and the illustrative payoff at settlement is 2x the advance amount.

Attorneys

How Cash Advances Affect the Attorney-Client Relationship

August 30, 2024 • 2 min read

Funding doesn't change who controls your case. Your attorney still calls the legal shots and you retain full decision-making over settlement.

AARC has no input on case strategy, settlement offers, or trial decisions. Those remain entirely between you and your attorney.

We require your attorney to acknowledge the funding agreement, but they are not a party to it and have no obligation to AARC beyond disbursing the agreed amount at settlement.

You decide whether to accept any settlement offer. AARC cannot pressure you to settle, accept less, or hold out for more.

The funding agreement is between you and AARC. Your attorney's job is unchanged.

Funding does not give us a seat at the table

AARC has zero role in case strategy, settlement decisions, or any aspect of the legal representation. We are not a party to the case and have no standing in any negotiation or court proceeding.

The only role we have is administrative: an acknowledgment from your attorney, and a disbursement instruction at settlement.

You retain full settlement authority

Only you can accept or reject any settlement offer. We cannot pressure you to take an offer, hold out for more, or settle by a deadline.

If you reject an offer, no one at AARC will call you to ask why. That decision is entirely between you and your attorney.

Your attorney's confidentiality is preserved

We require enough case information to underwrite, but attorney-client privilege and work product protections remain intact. Courts have consistently held that disclosure to a funder for underwriting purposes does not waive privilege.

Your attorney decides what to share with us. We do not have direct access to your case file beyond what they provide.

If the relationship with your attorney changes

If you switch attorneys mid-case, the funding agreement carries over to the new attorney's representation. We simply update our acknowledgment with the new firm.

If your case is dropped by your attorney entirely, contact us — we can usually work with you and any new attorney to keep the funding in place.

Talk to AARC before you make a financial move you'll regret

Every situation is different, and the right answer depends on the specifics of your case, your timeline, and what you need the money for. The single best thing you can do is have a short, no-pressure conversation with someone who funds these cases every day.

Call AARC at (800) 297-3834 or apply online in about three minutes. There is no credit check, no obligation, and no cost to find out what you qualify for. If a cash advance isn't the right tool for your situation, we'll tell you that too.

Frequently asked questions

How does this affect my attorney's fee?: It does not. Your attorney's contingency fee is calculated the same way; the advance is repaid from the client's share of the settlement.
Is a pre-settlement cash advance a loan?: No. It is non-recourse funding tied to your personal injury claim. There are no monthly payments, and if your case does not recover, you owe nothing.
Do I need good credit or a job to qualify?: No. AARC does not run a credit check and does not require employment or income verification. Approval is based on the strength of your claim and your attorney's representation.
How fast can I get funded?: Most approved applicants receive funds in as little as 24 hours once AARC has the case documents from your attorney.
How much does it cost?: AARC uses a flat fee rather than compounding monthly interest. Typical advances are $500, $750, or $1,000, and the illustrative payoff at settlement is 2x the advance amount.

About the author

Written by the funding team at AARC — Accident Advance & Resource Center. AARC underwrites pre-settlement cash advances for personal injury claimants and works directly with plaintiff attorneys across 45 states. Our team reviews case documentation daily and writes from that firsthand experience.

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Always confirm details with your attorney. Contact AARC or call (800) 297-3834 with questions about your specific case.