what questions will i be asked at a minor compromise settlement (i am the plaintiff attorney)

by Eve Pagac 7 min read

Here are the questions that an attorney must get answers to before drafting the documents needed to set a minor's compromise hearing: Who are the lienholders and how much is each lienholder seeking? How much less (if any) will each lienholder agree to accept?

Full Answer

What is a petition to compromise a minor’s claim?

Below, our California personal injury attorneys address frequently asked questions about a minor’s compromise and how it may affect your case: 1. What is a compromise of a minor’s claim in California? 2. Who can participate in the compromise of a claim on a minor’s behalf? 3. What is the legal procedure for compromising a minor’s claim?

What happens at a compromise hearing?

What kind of questions will the judge ask the minor child in a California Minor's Compromise and Release hearing? The judge will ask the child if he or she feels they have recovered from their bodily injuries. If the child is an infant or very small, then the judge will usually observe the child, and ask the Guardian Ad litem (GAL) the same question.

What is a compromise in a child custody case?

In the great majority of compromise hearings, the judge will ask the plaintiff’s attorney to voir dire the guardian ad litem (or the judge may do the questioning) about the current condition of the minor, discuss the terms of the settlement, whether the guardian ad litem attended and participated in settlement negotiations, and whether the guardian ad litem understands that …

Can a minor violate a settlement agreement/release?

These new rules must be complied with before the court order will issue an order compromising a minor's claim. The court will continue to calendar a hearing date upon the filing of a petition for approval of a minor's compromise and will post a tentative ruling the day before the hearing in the same manner as a civil law and motion matter.

What happens at a minors compromise hearing?

The minor and the guardian ad litem must appear at the compromise hearing (except for good cause shown in limited circumstances, such as in wrongful death cases). On the hearing date, the court will decide whether to approve the petition.May 2, 2021

What happens when you agree to a settlement?

After a case is settled, meaning that the case did not go to trial, the attorneys receive the settlement funds, prepare a final closing statement, and give the money to their clients. Once the attorney gets the settlement check, the clients will also receive their balance check.

Will Virginia give you minor's personal injury settlement?

In a child's case, though, the money can't be paid directly to the child until she turns eighteen years of age. ... When a minor's personal injury case is settled, Virginia law requires that the court approve the terms of the settlement agreement to ensure that the agreement is in the best interests of the child.Jul 22, 2020

What is a minor claim?

Minor Claim means a claim for an amount, including interest, of not more than $7 500, whether as a balance or after an admitted set off, reduction by any amount paid by or credited to the defendant, abandonment of any excess, or otherwise.

What is a reasonable settlement agreement?

then a reasonable settlement agreement payment would be between 1 and 4 months' salary plus notice pay. If you have evidence of discrimination or whistleblowing, you may be able to get more, and the 2 years' service requirement doesn't apply.

What is it called when you can't talk about a settlement?

One of these things is that you will usually be expected to keep quiet about the settlement. This is called "confidentiality." YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS SERIOUSLY. IF YOU DON'T KEEP QUIET AS AGREED, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR SETTLEMENT.Mar 7, 2014

What do you do after a minor car accident?

What to do when you get in a car accident?Stop the car or find a safe refuge area nearby. ... Check for injuries and call an ambulance if required. ... Assess the situation and call the emergency services if required. ... Exchange details with individuals involved. ... Gather information on the incident. ... Contact your insurance company.Jul 26, 2021

How long do personal injury claims take?

As a very rough guide, a claim may take 6 to 12 months if liability is accepted by the treatment or care provider immediately. If liability is disputed, it could take 12 to 18 months for more complicated claims. Very complex cases can take significantly longer.

What is a major and minor claim?

Minor personal injury claims generally include “soft tissue” injuries – injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons (e.g., sprains, strains, pulls). Major personal injury claims include accidents that resulted in permanent injury, dismemberment, loss of bodily function or even death.May 20, 2016

What is a good claim example?

Claims are, essentially, the evidence that writers or speakers use to prove their point. Examples of Claim: A teenager who wants a new cellular phone makes the following claims: Every other girl in her school has a cell phone.

What are minor details?

Supporting details are reasons, examples, facts, steps, or other kinds of evidence that explain the main idea. Major details explain and develop the main idea. Minor details help make the major details clear.

What is a compromise of a minor's claim in California?

A compromise of a minor claim is a legal phrase that refers to a settlement of a disputed claim for money damages in a personal injury case for a m...

Who can participate on a minor's behalf?

Minors, for the most part, are not able to enter into contracts by themselves. In California, certain types of settlement agreements can be approve...

What is the legal procedure for compromising a minor's claim?

A California court must approve all settlements done on behalf of a child under the age of 18.3 A parent or guardian ad litem can file an MC-350 fo...

What information must be included in the petition?

The petition is required to be verified and contain a full disclosure of all information that bears upon the reasonableness of the agreement or com...

Is there a hearing which has to be held?

The minor and the guardian ad litem must appear at the compromise hearing (except for good cause shown in limited circumstances). At the hearing, t...

How long does a child's hearing last?

This is "nonadversarial," meaning that only the child, his parents and their attorney are present. The hearing lasts only a few minutes, and should be regarded as a short ceremony to celebrate the end of a bad chapter in the family's life together.

Does Maryland require a court appearance for a minor?

The State of Maryland has a statutory process for closing a bodily injury case in which the victim is a minor, so a court appearance is not required. Under section 13-403 of the Estates and Trusts laws, the “person responsible for the payment of the money” (defined as including the minor/guardian’s attorney, any defendant, and insurers) shall make the check payable to “______, trustee under Title 13 of the Estates and Trust Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, for ______, minor.” Issuance of a check in this manner establishes the person named on the check as the legal trustee of the proceeds. Nothing further is required; there is no need for a "friendly suit" or judicial review of the settlement and disbursements.

How long does it take to get an expedited petition?

An expedited petition must be determined by the court not more than 35 days after it is filed, unless a hearing is requested, required, or scheduled under (c) or the time for determination is extended for good cause by order of the court.

Can an expedited petition be determined without a hearing?

(1) The expedited petition must be determined by the court without a hearing unless a hearing is requested by the petitioner at the time the expedited petition is filed, an objection or other opposition to the petition is filed by an interested party, or a hearing is scheduled by the court under (2) or (3).

What is a guardian ad litem?

A minor must have a guardian or guardian ad litem appointed to represent his or her interests in a lawsuit.1 In most cases, a guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the minor’s interests in the pending lawsuit, as very few minors would have an already-existing guardian in the Probate Court.

What is a single premium deferred annuity?

The funds can be invested in a single-premium deferred annuity. This is a type of annuity contract that is established with a single lump-sum payment.

What does a personal injury lawyer do?

Your personal injury lawyer will also make sure all medical liens are accounted for and reduced so as to maximize your net recovery and prevent any claims for reimbursement down the road. If your case is in litigation, your personal injury lawyer will protect you from incurring any unnecessary delays or sanctions.

How long does it take for a personal injury settlement to be approved?

If the personal injury settlement is approved, the settlement is processed and the funds go into the blocked account as per the order. The petitioner and the personal injury lawyer then have typically 30 days to provide proof to the court that the money has been received and deposited. Once this happens, the personal injury settlement is complete.

What is the purpose of a minor's compromise?

The purpose of a minor's compromise is to protect the interests of the minor. Since approval means that the personal injury settlement is final and not voidable, the court scrutinizes the settlement to make sure it is fair.

What is a minor compromise?

The minor's compromise is an important safeguard for minors who are injured due to someone else's negligence or carelessness, but it can be complicated and it includes several traps for the unwary. Effres & Effres wants to help!

John Lawrence Gorman III

Once the person turns 18, they can handle their own case and can sign a release without a court's approval. If a petition to approve the settlement of a minor has been already been filed, they should notify the court and withdraw the petition.

Omid Elyaoudayan

Generally, once the claimant turns an adult they can sign the release and ins. Will issue a check to them.

Ajay Mohan Kwatra

If the case was filed you may have to give the court some type of notice, you can probably just call the clerk and ask, but the now adult can sign a settlement and and cash their own check at age 18.

John M. DeProspo

The age that matters is the age at settlement, not when the claim was initiated. Only one Minor's Compromise would be necessary per the two California attorneys that have answered.

Brian L. Yorke

Once a minor reaches the age of majority they can sign a release and no compromise of the claim is required.

Bruce Ward Bain

I know Kalifornia is different in a lot of ways but if an underage minor was injured and over the course of the lawsuit, they obtained majority, and its time to be paid you do not need a GAL. Thats true in Texas and with every insurance company I have ever dealt with.

A Typical Exchange at The Minor's Compromise Hearing

  • Judge: I take it you are the father of the injured minor? Parent: Yes Your Honor. Judge: Have you read the petition? Parent: Yes Your Honor. Judge: Do you agree with it? Is it correct? Parent: Yes Your Honor. I agree with it and it is correct. Judge: Is there anything that you want to ask me or your attorney about it? Parent: No Your Honor. Judge: How is your child doing now? Parent: He i…
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Basic Information Needed Before Drafting The Closing Documents

  • Here are the questions that an attorney must get answers to before drafting the documents needed to set a minor's compromise hearing: 1. Who are the lienholders and how much is each lienholder seeking? 2. How much less (if any) will each lienholder agree to accept? 3. Which health care providers are owed money for the child's treatment, irrespective of liens? 4. How mu…
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Expedited Procedures in Some Jurisdictions

  • The State of Maryland has a statutory process for closing a bodily injury case in which the victim is a minor, so a court appearance is not required. Under section 13-403 of the Estates and Trusts laws, the “person responsible for the payment of the money” (defined as including the minor/guardian’s attorney, any defendant, and insurers) shall make the check payable to “______, …
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