KRS 387.278: Settlement agreement by person with legal custody of minor -- Affidavit or

verified statement -- Payment -- Withdrawal or transfer from account -- Effect

of agreement -- Liability -- Filing for guardianship or conservatorship -- Use of

a restrict ed savings or other restricted investment account or issuance of

annuity by financial institutions permitted.

(1) A person having legal custody of a minor may settle or compromise and enter into a

settlement agreement with a person against whom the minor h as a claim or from

whom the minor is to receive proceeds from the sale of real estate, for the

settlement of any estate, or from any other source if:

(a) A guardian or conservator has not been appointed for the minor;

(b) The total amount of the settlement proceeds due to the minor, after reduction

from the total settlement amount of all medical expenses, medical liens, all

other liens, and reasonable attorney fees and costs, is twenty -five thousand

dollars ($25,000) or less if paid in cash, by draft or check, by direct deposit, or

by the purchase of a premium for an annuity;

(c) The moneys payable under the settlement agreement will be paid as provided

in subsections (3) and (4) of this section; and

(d) The person entering into the settlement agreement on b ehalf of the minor

completes an affidavit or verified statement that attests that the person:

1. Has made a reasonable inquiry and that to the best of the person's

knowledge:

a. The minor will be fully compensated by the settlement; or

b. There is no pract ical way to obtain additional amounts from the

party or parties entering into the settlement agreement with the

minor; and

2. Understands and acknowledges that he or she is obligated by law to

deposit the settlement directly into a restricted savings or other restricted

investment account, or purchase an annuity, as provided in subsection

(3) of this section.

(2) The attorney rep resenting the person entering into the settlement agreement on

behalf of the minor, if any, shall maintain the affidavit or verified statement

completed under subsection (1)(d) of this section in the attorney's file for a period

of five (5) years.

(3) The moneys payable under the settlement agreement shall be paid as follows:

(a) If the minor or person entering into the settlement agreement on behalf of the

minor is represented by an attorney and the settlement is paid in cash, by draft

or check, or by dire ct deposit into the attorney's trust account maintained

under Rule 3.830 of the Supreme Court of Kentucky to be held for the benefit

of the minor, the attorney shall:

1. Timely deposit the moneys received on behalf of the minor directly into

a restricted s avings or other restricted investment account that only

allows withdrawals from the account under any of the circumstances set

forth in subsection (4) of this section; or

2. Purchase an annuity by direct payment to the issuer of the annuity with

the minor designated as the sole beneficiary of the annuity;

(b) If the minor or person entering into the settlement agreement on behalf of the

minor is not represented by an attorney and the settlement is paid by check,

draft, or direct deposit, the minor or person entering into the settlement

agreement on behalf of the minor shall provide the person or entity with

whom the minor has settled the claim with the information sufficient to draw

a check or draft made payable, or complete an electronic transfer of settlement

funds:

1. Into a restricted savings or other restricted investment account that only

allows withdrawals from the account under any of the circumstances set

forth in subsection (4) of this section; or

2. To purchase an annuity by direct payment to the i ssuer of the annuity

with the minor designated as the sole beneficiary of the annuity; and

(c) If the minor is under the care, custody, and control of the Commonwealth, the

Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall establish a restricted trust

account, or subaccount of a trust account, that earns interest for the benefit of

the minor, for the purpose of receiving moneys payable to the minor under the

settlement agreement. If the settlement is paid:

1. In cash or by draft or check, the moneys received on behalf of the minor

shall be timely deposited into the account established under this

paragraph, and notice of the deposit to the minor and the person entering

into the settlement agreement on behalf of the minor shall be delivered

by personal service or first-class mail;

2. By direct deposit, the minor, the person entering into the settlement on

behalf of the minor, or the cabinet shall provide the person or entity with

whom the minor has settled the claim with the information sufficient to

complete an ele ctronic transfer of settlement funds into the account

established under this paragraph, and notice of the deposit to the minor

and the person entering into the settlement agreement on behalf of the

minor shall be delivered by personal service or first-class mail; or

3. Through the purchase of an annuity, direct payment shall be made to the

issuer of the annuity with the minor designated as the sole beneficiary of

the annuity.

(4) The moneys in the minor's restricted savings or other restricted investment ac count,

trust account, or trust subaccount established under subsection (3) of this section

may not be withdrawn, removed, paid out, or transferred to any person, including

the minor, except as follows:

(a) Pursuant to court order;

(b) Upon the minor attaining the age of majority or being otherwise emancipated;

or

(c) Upon the minor's death.

(5) A signed settlement agreement entered into on behalf of the minor in compliance

with subsection (1) of this section:

(a) Is binding on the minor without the need for court approval or review;

(b) Has the same force and effect as if the minor were a competent adult entering

into the settlement agreement; and

(c) Shall serve to fully release all claims of the minor encompassed by the

settlement agreement.

(6) (a) As use d in this subsection, "financial institution" means any person doing

business under the laws of any state or commonwealth or the United States

relating to banks, bank holding companies, savings banks, savings and loan

associations, trust companies, or credit unions.

(b) A financial institution or other entity may open a restricted savings or other

restricted investment account, or issue an annuity, pursuant to this section.

(c) If a financial institution or other entity elects to open a restricted savings o r

other restricted investment account, or issue an annuity, pursuant to this

section, a court order shall not be required to open the account or issue the

annuity.

(d) A person that elects to deposit or otherwise direct moneys into a restricted

savings or other restricted investment account in accordance with subsection

(3) of this section may execute documents to open and administer the account.

(7) A restricted savings or other restricted investment account that is opened and

administered pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the provisions of KRS

Chapter 393A until the earlier of one (1) of the circumstances set forth in subsection

(4) of this section.

(8) (a) Any person or entity against whom a minor has a claim that settles the claim

with the minor in good faith under this section shall not be liable to the minor

for any claims arising from the settlement of the claim.

(b) An insurer who in good faith transfers funds at the direction of the settling

minor or the minor's representatives into a restricted savings or other

restricted investment account, or to purchase an annuity, shall not be liable to

the minor or the minor's representatives f or any claims arising from the use of

those funds after the transfer is completed.

(9) Nothing in this section shall prevent anyone acting on behalf of the minor from

filing for guardianship, limited guardianship, or conservatorship in the District

Court and requesting the District Court to approve the settlement on behalf of the

minor and oversee the settlement proceeds.