Moreno Valley, CA asked in Insurance Defense and Civil Litigation for California

Q: How long does it take attorneys to write up settlement release forms?

My attorney contacted me on the 26th of January stating we settled and they would be sending out a couple of release forms for me to sign and yet almost 3 weeks later, still nothing. Is this normal?

4 Lawyer Answers
David Alan Wolf
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A: Once a case is settled, it may take several weeks to even a few months to get all of the paperwork signed and the bills / liens resolved. If there are no medical bills and there are no medical or other liens, the process can go a bit quicker. Also, the insurance company typically sends over the Release to the attorney. At times, the Release needs to be modified as there may be terms in the Release that were not agreed to at the time of the settlement. Have a phone conference with the attorney OR send an e-mail and ask for the approximate time line for the completion of the case and the disbursement of the funds.

William John Light agrees with this answer

A: It can happen sooner, or later. You are within normal time limits.

A: the releases are form and rec'd from the ins co or their lawyers.

ask your lawyer if s/he rec'd it yet

chances are their is still paper work or the ins co is slow

A: I have waited that long to get the actual release from the insurance company. Calling 3-4 times and being told that they left me a message the prior week needing something in writing rather than the phone conversation agreeing to the numbers. You have to understand that the insurance company likes to hold onto their money as long as they can. Your attorney wants to get paid as quickly as you most likely. But you should have a frank conversation with your attorney to see what is holding the process up.

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