Professional Services For Attorneys

Personal Injury: Analysis of Structured Settlements for Plaintiffs

We provide valuable pro bono resources to plaintiff’s attorneys and their clients who are involved in personal injury litigation. Our team works with one of the nation's top structured settlement firms to provide comprehensive negotiation support and strategic assistance to plaintiffs' counsel.  We will analyze multiple complex structured settlements, assisting the attorney and client in negotiating the proposal which is in the client's best interests.  Moreover, should the client hesitate about whether to accept a settlement proposal, we can help the client to pre-experience the potential financial impact of any settlement and reasonably determine if the settlement amount will allow them to reach their short-term, intermediate-term and long-term goals.  This is accomplished by using financial goals analysis in conjunction with Wachovia Securities’ sophisticated statistical modeling software, Envision.  While a larger lump sum award is usually preferred in the minds of the client, greater clarity into the potential long-term effects of various complex settlement proposals can help create a level of comfort which may lead to higher post-settlement satisfaction for clients.

Estate Planning: Asset Growth Rates and the Creation of Future Wealth

One of the biggest challenges Estate Planning Attorneys face in creating a comprehensive estate plan is calculating the myriad of investment growth rates to predict, as accurately as possible, the growth of the final estate.  By compiling data on different asset classes, their historical growth rates, and their tax status, we help attorneys and their clients to pre-experience the long-term growth of their estate on a pro bono basis.  We offer sophisticated statistical modeling software and expertise on financial issues pertaining to estate planning. In addition to planning to reduce overall estate tax liability1, we also offer planning for care of an elderly parent or a special-needs child, for succession or liquidation strategies for business owners2, and for the potential need to direct assets in the event of incapacitation. These trust services are offered through Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association (chartered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation.

Family Law:  Divorce Financial Analysis

Equitable distribution has become more complex in recent years. Paul T. Murray, ChFC®, CDFA™,  is one of the few Certified Divorce Financial Analysts™ practicing in the Mid Atlantic Region who is also a Chartered Financial Consultant.  He has many years of experience in the financial services industry, including extensive knowledge in the financial issues affecting clients in the midst of a divorce.

According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the participation of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ during the divorce process can greatly enhance the strength of your case.  While Mr. Murray analyzes the financial issues on a pro bono basis, the attorney's time can be better spent focusing on the legal issues, drafting petitions and preparing for court appearances. For more information about our divorce financial analysis and consulting services, see our section on Divorce Financial Analysis . 

 

IMPORTANT: The projections or other information generated by Envision regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. Results may vary with each use and over time.

Envision’s simulation model incorporates assumptions on inflation, financial market returns and relationships between these variables based on an analysis of historical data. Using Monte Carlo simulation and data provided by the Center for Research in Securities Pricing, Envision simulates thousands of potential outcomes over a lifetime of investing. The varying historical risk, return, and correlation between the assets is based on indexes over several market cycles. If the indexes do not provide enough historical data to gauge asset-class performance, we may use the data of related asset classes.

 

1Wachovia Securities is not a legal or tax advisor.  Envision is not designed or intended to provide estate planning recommendations other than to assist estate attorneys in projecting the growth rates of different asset classes within the estate.

2Insurance products are offered through nonbank insurance agency affiliates of Wachovia and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies.  Wachovia Securities, LLC is a separate non-bank affiliate of Wachovia Corporation.