You agreed on a number, signed the release, and... waited. Here's what's actually happening to your money during those final weeks.
After you sign the release, the insurance carrier has to process payment — usually 14 to 30 days, sometimes longer.
When the check arrives, it goes to your attorney's trust account, not directly to you.
Your attorney then pays medical liens, holds back any agreed amounts, and disburses the remainder to you. That process typically takes another 7 to 30 days.
Post-settlement funding can bridge this final waiting period if you need cash sooner.
Step one — the carrier processes the release
Once you sign the release of all claims, the insurance carrier has to process payment internally. This typically takes 14 to 30 days for routine cases, longer for cases with multiple defendants or complicated lien situations.
Some carriers are faster than others. Large national carriers can be slower than regional or specialty carriers.
Step two — the check goes to your attorney
When the check arrives, it is made payable to your attorney's trust account, not to you directly. This is required by professional responsibility rules in every state.
Your attorney then has to wait for the check to clear before disbursing — typically another five to ten business days.
Step three — liens and disbursements
Your attorney negotiates and pays any medical liens, holds back funds for any agreed reserves, and disburses the net amount to you.
Lien negotiations can take weeks, especially for Medicare or ERISA liens. Your attorney's job is to maximize your net by reducing lien amounts wherever possible.
Bridging the final wait
If you cannot wait through this final 30 to 90 days, post-settlement funding can bridge the gap. Rates are much lower than pre-settlement funding because the recovery is known.
Talk to AARC about whether post-settlement funding makes sense for your situation.
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.
