Q. How long does it take to get approval?

A. After we receive the requested documents on your case from your attorney, and discuss the facts of your case with your attorney, generally we can approve you within 48 hours.

Q. How much of an advance may I request?

A. You may be advanced $1,000 to over $100,000 depending upon our evaluation of your case. Due to the risks involved, this can be more expensive than traditional financing. Thus, we recommend that you exhaust all other possibilities, i.e., banks, credit unions, family, friends, etc., and that you take the smallest possible advance to meet your most important living needs, i.e., housing, food, clothing, medical treatment, etc., and/or any additional legal services.

Q. Will my credit affect my ability to get a cash advance?

A. No. You are advanced money to you based solely on the facts of your case.

Q. Are there any up-front costs to me?

A. It costs nothing to request an advance. After you submit your request and your attorney provides the necessary information, you case is evaluated. If you are approved for an advance, there are fees charged to you that are paid to the funding source only if your case is successful. If you receive an advance, we file a lien on your case with your attorney, which means that if there is a recovery, your attorney will repay to the funding source, from the recovery, the advance plus fees and additional costs as set forth in the Agreement. You and your attorney will be advised of all fees and costs prior to you accepting the advance.

Q. How, and when, do I receive the money?

A. Once the agreement has been signed, notarized and acknowledged by your attorney, a check is issued in your name and mailed via Federal Express, or other reliable delivery service, to your residence or your attorney's office. The check is sent immediately upon receipt of these documents.

Q. What do I pay to the funding cource if my case is successful?

A. The advance, plus all disclosed fees and costs included in the agreement, is paid to the funding source after a recovery in the case. It is like all other liens in the case and is paid prior to your receiving any portion of your settlement.

Q. If I lose, do I have to repay the funding source?

A. No. You owe nothing if you lose your case. The funding source absorbs the loss and you keep the money already advanced to you.

Q. Why is this advance different from a loan?

A. Most conventional loans are recourse loans, which means that the money must be repaid on a monthly basis to the lender. With an advance, you only pay if you collect money from your case. All conventional loans have the following: 1) A specific time period when the money is due. An advance is completely contingent upon your case. Thus there is no specific term of the advance. 2) Most loans require monthly payments. Since this is not a loan, the funding source does not require any monthly payments. 3) You are responsible to repay a conventional loan, regardless of whether the venture fails or you lack the funds. With a cash advance, you only pay if you collect money from your case.

Q. What's the difference between using my credit cards to pay my bills or getting a cash advance?

A. With your credit card, you must make monthly payments to the credit card company and you must pay them even if you lose your case. Although a cash advance is more expensive than a credit card, there are no monthly payments and you only pay if you recover money in your case.

Q. May an attorney refer his/her client to 1stCS?

A. Yes. In fact, many state bars have issued ethics opinions that permit an attorney to refer clients to funding companies that may provide cash advances.

Q. Once I receive an advance from, does the funding source participate in my case?

A. No. We do not participate in the litigation.

Q. Can 1stCS represent me in my lawsuit?

A. No. We do not practice law and we do not provide legal services.

Q. How do we get started?

A. Just fill out our online application or Contact us.

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