Marco Maknown

Picture of Marco Maknown

Marco Maknown

Marco Maknown is a financial writer specializing in debt management, consumer finance, and emerging economic trends. With a background in digital marketing and experience in AI augmentation for the physical economy and shipping industry, he focuses on empowering consumers with practical knowledge about debt collection rights, credit management, and how technological innovations are reshaping traditional industries.
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Structured Settlement

Jul 27, 2026

15 min

Structured Settlement Court Approval Process

A judge must approve your structured settlement sale before you get paid. Here's what the court reviews, what documents you need, and how long it takes....
Young couple with arms in the air smiling after getting accepted into a debt relief program
Debt Resolution

Jul 27, 2026

12 min

How Much Debt Do You Need to Qualify for Debt Relief?

Most debt relief programs have a minimum but it's lower than most people assume. A main qualifying factor is your type of debts....
man breaking piggy bank
Annuity Purchasing

July 24, 2026

18 min

When Should I Start Taking Money Out of My Annuity?

a house made from $100 bills
Home Equity

May 27, 2026

18 min

What is a Home Equity Agreement? How it Works, Pros & Cons

Stopping debt collectors
Debt Resolution

February 4, 2026

10 min

What is the 11-Word Phrase to Stop Debt Collectors?

Digital BNPL Payment Notification, Installment Paid Message on Smartphone and Laptop
Debt Resolution

May 27, 2026

13 min

Drowning in Buy Now, Pay Later Debt? A Recovery Plan for Klarna, Affirm, and Afterpay Users

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) debt is recoverable — but only if you stop accumulating it first and act strategically based on where you stand today....
a house made from $100 bills
Home Equity

May 27, 2026

18 min

What is a Home Equity Agreement? How it Works, Pros & Cons

Learn what Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) are, how they function, their advantages, and potential drawbacks....
Cybersecurity, private access with username and password to personal data
Personal Loans

May 18, 2026

15 min

Why Is a Lender Asking to Connect to My Bank Account?

Some online lenders ask you to connect your bank account before final approval. Learn why they do it, how it may help borrowers with imperfect credit, what lenders may review, and how to stay safe....
Ladders and coins. Life contingent structured settlement concept
Structured Settlement

May 11, 2026

18 min

Selling Life Contingent Structured Settlement Payments

Life contingent payments carry unique risks that require specialized underwriting and expertise. See how JG Wentworth can help!...
woman using debt validation letter
Debt Resolution

May 11, 2026

15 min

What is a Debt Validation Letter?

Understanding what a debt verification letter is can be the difference between paying a legitimate debt and paying one that is wrong....
A house-shaped cutout on an hourglass
Home Equity

May 11, 2026

17 min

How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Equity Loan?

If you're planning to tap your home's equity, one question is probably: when will I see the money? The honest answer is that it depends....
a few dollar bills, banknotes on a white background, with a golden pen and calculator, business concept
Personal Loans

Apr 8, 2026

9 min

What Is the Real Cost of a Cash Advance?

Cash advances can look inexpensive up front, but the real cost can be much higher. Here's how to compare the tradeoffs clearly....
Close up judge hammer gavel on many credit card with white wall background copy space.
Debt Resolution

Apr 3, 2026

12 min

How Much Does It Cost to File Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy can feel like a financial lifeline when debt spirals out of control - but what's the real cost of filing?...
Cheerful woman in her 20s joyfully dancing in living room with arms out, kicking leg after becoming debt free
Debt Resolution

Mar 31, 2026

12 min

Top 10 Benefits of Having No Credit Card Debt

This article walks through the ten best reasons to pay off your credit cards and how doing so can fundamentally change your financial future....
A Generic Credit Score Rating with Fair Credit - 600
Debt Resolution

Mar 31, 2026

13 min

600 Credit Score: Is it Good? (And How to Improve it Fast)

With the right strategy, moving from 600 to 700 is an achievable goal within 12 to 18 months for most people....
Human hand giving money to other hand vector illustration
Structured Settlement

Mar 31, 2026

16 min

Guide to Selling Casino and Lottery Winnings

Understanding the details of selling your lottery or casino winnings can be the difference between financial security or a costly mistake....
Couple who just paid off debt
Debt Resolution

Mar 2, 2026

18 min

How to Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt (No, Really)

Discover effective strategies to pay off your credit card debt with JG Wentworth. Learn about debt consolidation, budgeting tips, and financial planning to regain control of your finances. Visit our page for expert advice and...

The numbers we provide here are estimates based on some assumptions:

On your own:

Based on industry averages, we estimate a monthly compounding interest rate of 22.99% and that you are making a minimum payment that is 2.5% of your total debt.

JGW:

The length of your program is determined by your debt amount. Programs are between 24 and 60 months in length and average program length is around 42 months.

Savings amount is an estimate base on average customer savings on their monthly payment. Real results will vary and some customers will save more, less or not at all.

Disclaimer: The calculator on this web site is for estimation and educational purposes only. JG Wentworth makes no guarantees regarding its accuracy and specifically disclaims any and all liability arising from the use of this or any other calculator on this web site. Use at your own risk and verify all results with an appropriate financial professional before taking action. We are not registered investment advisers, attorneys, CPA’s or other financial service professionals and do not render legal, tax, accounting, investment advice or other professional services.

Your entered value is significantly different from our estimate. You can adjust it for accuracy, or continue as is.

FYI, this option
requires collateral

This could include items you own such as
Your vehicle
Housing fixtures
Using collateral can boost your approval chances and/or ability to secure a lower APR. Would you like to continue?