Holding down costs is an affirmative duty of all fiduciaries. JMW embraces the primacy of this objective, not only as it relates to reducing the embedded costs of managing a ward's settlement assets, but also as it relates to our own services. We offer the following guidance:

• The Value is Real. SettleMaster® services will usually pay for themselves many times over in hard dollar benefits gained for your ward.
  
  
• If You Need Court Approval we can help in the drafting of petitions that identify and quantify the value secured. Given the increased complexity, tax sensitivity, and ultra-long duration of today's settlements, it is only prudent (reasonable and necessary) that settlement fiduciaries secure expert support on critical issues.
  
  
• Ask the Defense to Pay In a number of jurisdictions, it is customary for defendants to cover the costs of retaining a Guardian ad Litem. To the extent the GAL must incur minor expenses to complete their due diligence, SettleMaster® services may be covered as well, obviating the need to seek court approval.
  
  
• Consider JMW's "Fee Waiver Policy" To the extent JMW is retained in any other capacity on your case and earns revenue equal to or exceeding the cost of the SettleMaster® services ordered, we will waive all charges.

Cost alone should never stand between your ward and prudent settlement decision-making. If you are unsure how these guidelines apply in a given circumstance, please call us to discuss.