Reviewing Your Settlement Statement for Accuracy
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 1, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
I would like someone to review my settlement statement to make sure it's accurate.
Attorney Answer
You have the right to a full written breakdown of your settlement statement before you sign anything releasing your claim or accepting the funds.
Since you're still waiting for disbursement, this is most likely a settlement statement from your attorney following resolution of a legal claim (such as a personal injury case), rather than a real-estate closing statement — though if yours is a real-estate closing statement, the same line-by-line verification approach still applies. Under California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15, an attorney holding settlement funds must promptly disburse undisputed amounts and provide a written accounting upon request.
What you can do:
1. Compare the attorney-fee percentage on the statement to the percentage in your signed retainer or fee agreement — they should match exactly.
2. Confirm case costs (filing fees, expert fees, records, etc.) are itemized individually rather than shown as a single lumped sum.
3. Check that any medical liens or other deductions are listed accurately, and ask whether they were negotiated down before being applied.
4. Recalculate the net amount to you from the gross settlement to make sure the math reconciles line by line.
Request a full written itemization from your attorney and have every question answered before you sign the release or accept the accounting. If the numbers still don't add up to your satisfaction, an independent local attorney can review the statement separately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check on a settlement statement before signing?
Generally, compare the attorney-fee percentage to your signed fee agreement, confirm costs are itemized, and verify liens and net proceeds are calculated correctly.
Can I request a written accounting of my settlement funds?
In many states, an attorney holding settlement funds must provide a written accounting upon request and disburse undisputed amounts promptly.
What can I do if I believe my settlement statement contains errors?
You can generally ask your attorney for a full written itemization and explanation, and if concerns remain, an independent attorney can review the statement separately.
