Structured Settlements 4Real®Blog 2026

Structured settlements expert John Darer reviews the latest structured settlements and settlement planning information and news, and provides expert opinion and highly regarded commentary. that is spicy, Informative, irreverent and effective for over 20 years.

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The STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS 4REAL® Blog is a highly regarded source for structured settlement news, information, and commentary, led by structured settlement and settlement planning subect mater expert John Darer CLU ChFC MSSC CeFT RSP CLTC. With two decades of operation, the blog and 4structures.com are recognized as comprehensive resources, offering detailed guides and specialized insights. Established in 2005, the blog caters to a broad audience, including legal professionals, injured individuals, families, and various stakeholders, providing reviews and opinions on settlement planning. John Darer, President of 4structures.com LLC, is a seasoned structured settlement expert with over 40 years of financial services experience and 31 years specializing in structured settlements. Based in Stamford, CT, he is a Certified Financial Transitionist and Registered Settlement Planner, holding insurance licenses in 45 states and the District of Columbia. John Darer is dedicated to transparency and advocacy, he emphasizes the importance of engaging trained and licensed professionals for settlement planning, offering valuable insights through his investigative journalism and professional commentary.

Category: Boulder CO QSF

The Counsel-Managed QSF: A Structure That Cannot Stand Up Under Banks Doctrine

May 14, 2026

For attorneys and settlement planners who actually know how a 468B fund is supposed to work Treasury Regulations § 1.468B-1 The Treasury Regulations under § 1.468B-1 grant settling parties considerable latitude in structuring a qualified settlement fund. A QSF can be a state-law trust, and, in certain circumstances, if created by the defendant, it can…
Petal One: Continuing Jurisdiction and the Newman Affidavit

April 10, 2026

Continuing jurisdiction is one of the core requirements for a Qualified Settlement Fund under 26 C.F.R. §1.468B‑1. It must be real, ongoing, and supported by transparency. In this first petal, the July 16, 2025 Newman affidavit becomes the factual window into how that requirement functions when tested. A governmental authority attempting to perform its federal…
Qualified Settlement Funds Offer Flexibility — Not Unlimited Time

February 22, 2026

Qualified Settlement Funds (QSFs) offer temporary flexibility for plaintiffs but are not meant for prolonged use or speculative investments. Their purpose is to allow time for resolving liens and making informed decisions. However, misuse can arise through extended duration and inappropriate investment practices. QSFs should close once their objectives are met.
Town of Glenrock Wyoming Target of Show Cause in Wyoming Public Records Act Request Over QSF

July 24, 2025

Glenrock’s alleged failure to fully comply with a Wyoming Public Records Actrequest, involving the improper invocation of attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine to withhold documents pertaining to Glenrock’s dealings with Flatirons Bank and the Flatirons “Justice Escrow” QSF.
Questions for Qualified Settlement Fund Experts

March 31, 2021

Why would one or more of the highlighted sections 26 CFR § 1.468B(c) be selectively omitted in the context of how qualified settlement funds have been heavily promoted to trial lawyers by certain settlement planners?