Reaching a settlement can provide some satisfaction in knowing that your legal claim is finally going to be behind you. But you must still complete the closing process, which is an important part of finalizing your case and can take time.

Usually, you will be asked to sign a form called a release that formally concludes all current and future claims against the at-fault party and/or insurance company for these injuries. Because signing this ends your right to collect any more compensation for your injuries from this defendant, you should understand this completely and raise any objections before you sign it. Do not hesitate to bring up questions or concerns with your lawyer. After it is signed, both sides will notify the court that the case has been resolved and ask to dismiss any lawsuit.

As part of the closing process, your lawyer may have to address outstanding bills, claims or liens on your settlement proceeds, as discussed in the section entitled “Understanding a Settlement Offer.” This may mean that you have to pay some of your settlement to a third party, or that part of your settlement payment may be held by your lawyer while questions about payment are resolved.

Settlement proceeds are sent directly to your law firm. Injury law firms have bank accounts called trust accounts, where they hold money belonging to clients until their cases are finalized. (This is a lot like holding money in escrow for people who are buying or selling a home.) Ethics rules forbid lawyers from using this money for their own purposes. Your settlement check will go into this account at first. You will probably sign a statement authorizing the law firm to deposit it.

The net settlement proceeds will be released to you after you sign a form called a closing or settlement statement, which typically ends your case and your client relationship with the law firm. It also lists all of the disbursements of the settlement funds, which include payment of legal fees and costs, outstanding medical expenses, liens, and any other debts to be paid out of the settlement, as well as your own payment. Again, you should not hesitate to bring up any questions or concerns about this document. If you have special circumstances or a particularly complicated case, your lawyer may bring up other ways your settlement proceeds might be disbursed, or have suggestions designed to best serve your financial and legal interests.

Your lawyer cannot write you a settlement check until this paperwork is done, and in many states, until after a legally required waiting period is over. If you are concerned about receiving the money quickly, it is important to take care of the paperwork as soon as possible.