Debt settlement is the quickest and least expensive method to get out of debt, according to numerous debt relief professionals. Reducing the amount you owe to your creditors entails bargaining, either via you or your assigned negotiator.
It takes time and effort to reach an agreeable reduction percentage. However, if you’ve got a debt that needs urgent relief and can still afford to make at least 60% of your monthly payments, the outcomes may be life-changing.
How Much Can Debt Settlement Really Save You?
A competent debt settlement firm may be able to reduce your obligation by 30%., typically up to 50%.
There are never any guarantees, but as a debtor, you have an important edge: creditors anticipate that debt settlement will result in a greater recovery than legal action or collection agency referral.
This gives you a solid foundation on which to open discussions with a creditor.
Debts Eligible for Debt Settlement
If the creditor agrees, unsecured debt is eligible for debt settlement. The creditor is under no obligation to accept a settlement offer. Unsecured debt includes credit card bills, retail cards, personal loans, and medical expenses – any debt that isn’t connected to property that the creditor may collect.
Types of debt that are generally not eligible include:
- Secured debt like a mortgage or car loan
- Student loans
- Debt incurred by your business or your self-employment work
- Tax debt
Before signing a contract with a debt settlement firm, make sure the debt you want to settle is eligible for debt reduction by checking the FTC’s website, the CFPB’s website, or your state’s attorney general’s website.
Should You Hire a Debt Settlement Company?
The next stage is to choose whether to use a debt settlement firm or to go it alone against your creditors.
It’s certainly feasible to bargain on your own. However, keep in mind that negotiation might be a time-consuming procedure. Keep in mind that with perseverance, the waiting may be worthwhile, plus you’ll save thousands of dollars while also eliminating your credit card debt at the same time.
However, credit card companies are not to be trifled with. Whether or not you are compelled to declare personal bankruptcy is not their problem. If you don’t have the time or aren’t sure whether or how strong your negotiating skills are, an experienced expert familiar with creditors’ hardball negotiating tactics may be a good choice.
A professional debt settlement firm is not scared away. It also has the time it takes – up to two years in some cases – to make numerous calls to your banks and creditors in order to negotiate down your debt to around 50% of what you owe.
Such a time commitment, combined with the experience of expert negotiators, enables them to strike the best settlement deal possible on your behalf.
Will Debt Settlement Affect My Credit?
Another misconception about the debt settlement approach is that it speeds up the decline of your credit score.
This isn’t always the case. Although your score may drop at first, once your debt has been paid, it should quickly rebound. In approximately six months, your credit score will most likely be identical to or higher than what it was before the settlement procedure began.
After you accept a settlement for your lawsuit debt, it is reported to the credit bureaus for seven years and counts as an open account on your report. It’s vital to avoid going over your credit limit, pay bills on time, and maintain a debt-to-credit utilization ratio in balance while trying to repair your credit after a settlement.
Great Advantages to Debt Settlement
Debt settlement isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, but it does have distinct benefits.
It’s not only a legal and ethical approach to obtaining debt relief, but it’s also an important solution for people who can’t afford a credit counseling program or who don’t want to go bankrupt. It depends on your credit score and the severity of your financial situation and whether it’s appropriate for you.
If you can still make at least 60% to 70% of your minimum monthly credit card payments, a debt may alter your life for the better.
Debt settlement can assist you to shed your debt and reclaim financial control, in addition to its capacity to get you debt-free within 24-48 months – sooner than any other debt relief approach accessible.
Debt Settlement FAQs You May Have Asked Yourself
What Percentage of a Debt is Settled?
On average, debts are settled for 48% of the outstanding balance, according to a study from the Center for Responsible Lending. However, charges that the creditor may impose during negotiation for debt settlement raise the balance by 20%, it was revealed in the report.
How Do You Negotiate a Credit Card Debt Settlement on Your Own?
The easiest approach to negotiate a credit card debt settlement on your own is to contact your lenders and request if you may be placed on a plan to pay off your obligations. Depending on your circumstances, some creditors will work with you.
What Should You Look For When Hiring a Debt Settlement Company?
You may inquire with your friends and family for recommendations, contact your financial advisor, or look for online reviews if you’re seeking a decent debt settlement firm. For example, Consumer Affairs is a reliable resource that publishes a list of credit counseling and debt settlement firms, while the FTC has information on both credit counselors and debt settlement services.
What is a Debt Settlement Scam?
Unfortunately, debt settlement frauds are not uncommon. For-profit businesses promising to “abolish your debt” for a hefty fee may be fraudulent. These con artists will generally charge a significant fee for their services but, in reality, provide little or no assistance. These businesses may claim to have methods of “fixing” or “eliminating” negative credit from your credit report, which is physically and legally impossible.
A debt settlement scam might also cause you to get into even more debt, as the organization claims to have contacted your creditors but hasn’t, leaving you to believe that your debt has been settled. Always research debt settlement firms on the Better Business Bureau or your state’s attorney general’s office before investing with one.
Mediator Law Group and You
For many people, debt settlement may be the least expensive option to get out of debt. It is dependent in part on how much you owe, as well as other factors that must be considered, such as how long it will take and whether you find it stressful in comparison with the alternatives. Before deciding whether or not to go through with debt settlement,
The best approach is to contact us as soon as possible. If you are struggling with debt, talk with a debt settlement expert so you can make an informed decision.
