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Synergy Helps Client Transition from Litigation to Life – Meaghan’s Story

An update on Meaghan | It has been  two years since we first told you Meaghan’s story. Her big question was “How am I going to deal with my finances for the rest of my life?” Meaghan’s question is one that plagues many injury victims at settlement. She was facing extraordinary liens, potential loss of public benefits and an uncertain financial future. “Synergy was able to sit down with me and put me at ease, make me feel comfortable about where I am today and where I can see myself in the future.”  Recently, she sat down with us to talk about the positive impact Synergy had on her life after the accident. See Meaghan’s transition from litigation to life.

   Watch “Meaghan’s Story” »

June 16, 2014 | Performing as a stand-up comic is one of the most daunting challenges a first timer can face. As comedian John Oliver explains: “Stand-up comedy seems like a terrifying thing. Before anyone has done it, it seems like one of the most frightening things you could conceive, and there’s just no shortcut – you just have to do it.” When Synergy client, Meaghan Jones* took the stage to perform her first ever comedy routine in early 2010, she had already faced and conquered far greater challenges as she became a C-6/7 quadriplegic as a result of an automobile accident five years earlier.

Meaghan’s story is an excellent example of a Synergy client successfully transitioning from litigation into life so she can achieve her dreams. Prior to the accident, she had just begun her exploration of a career in the arts. She was regularly performing as a hostess/singer at a local comedy club and was pursuing a full time career in singing and acting. In fact, just prior to the accident, she had been placed on a short list for acceptance to Julliard. Out of over 400 prospective applicants who performed, Meaghan’s dramatic monologues made her one of only twelve that received a call back.

Meaghan refused to allow her accident or resulting challenges to get in the way of her dreams. Not only does she continue to perform regularly as a comic at a number of local comedy clubs, she also directs theater. In 2006, less than a year after her accident, she directed a play at a local theater where she had performed previously as an actor. Since that time she has directed thirteen additional productions and plans to continue and pursue direction. Meaghan has successfully overcome many challenges in her life but still recalls the fear of performing as a comic for the first time and loves the challenges of facing her fears and vulnerability. She sees it as the perfect blend of directing, writing, acting and performing all at once.

Synergy first became involved with Meaghan as she neared the close of litigation regarding her accident at the request of her dedicated trial attorneys, Ariel Furst and Todd Stabinski. She was very well represented in the case and the settlement created some unique issues that needed to be addressed. Synergy was able to successfully utilize our Settlement Asset Management Special Needs Trust as a financial/public benefit solution in her case. Not only is the trust set up in a fashion that protects needs based benefits, it also provides a combination of income and growth that will help with her immediate living expenses as well as long term needs.

Meaghan continues to work closely with Anthony F. Prieto, Jr. CFP® at Synergy. Anthony is a Certified Financial PlannerTM and has worked with Meaghan since the resolution of her case. Never one to shy from a challenge, Meaghan has enjoyed learning about finance and investing as well as being involved in the planning process. Additionally, our lien resolution department has been working with Meghan and her aforementioned trial attorneys on resolving the outstanding Medicaid lien asserted at the close of litigation as a significant part of maximizing her settlement is not only providing sound financial advice but also ensuring that all outstanding health care liens are reduced and resolved as well. Our comprehensive approach has been helpful in achieving these goals.

We consider ourselves lucky to work with a client like Meaghan and pride ourselves on effectively working with clients as they transition from litigation into life. There is no better example of mastering this transition than Meaghan. We look forward to her continued successes as a comic and director, and know there will be plenty of future successes to celebrate!

*Client name has been changed to protect privacy.

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