Getting Out of Debt - What Consumers Need to Know About Debt Settlements

Dec 7
10:50

2009

Matt Couch

Matt Couch

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Debt settlements are also known as "debt arbitrations" or "debt negotiations". You can approach a debt settlement when you are unable to pay off your card debt and you're looking for alternative solutions. Student loans or the debts backed by an asset such as a car or a property have low to no chance to be considered by the companys, only credit card debts are handled.

mediaimage

Debt settlements are also known as "debt arbitrations" or "debt negotiations". You can approach a debt settlement when you are unable to pay off your card debt and you're looking for alternative solutions. Student loans or the debts backed by an asset such as a car or a property have low to no chance to be considered by the company,Getting Out of Debt - What Consumers Need to Know About Debt Settlements  Articles only credit card debts are handled.

During a debt settlement, the debtor (the client) and the creditor (the credit card company) meet to settle the card debt for less than the debtor actually owes. You might wonder why the card company would agree on such thing. The answer is simple: unless the company agrees on a reduction of the debt, the client can resort to filling bankruptcy, as he is unable to pay his debt anymore. In this case, neither part would benefit: the customer's credit score would go low enough for him never to be able to qualify for other loans or can even loose an asset he guaranteed his loan with; on the other hand, the credit card company wouldn't get its money back at all. And that's a lose-lose situation for both parts involved.

Usually, a debt settlement company negotiates on behalf of their customer to reduce the overall debt, in exchange for an upfront fee. Most of the times, this fee is a percentage of what the company saves you. This type of payment guarantees you their complete dedication to your cause: unless they offer you significantly reduced debt, they will get little amount of money in return. Their approach is usually successful and they can get a good debt settlement quickly because of the already established long term contact with the credit card companies.

In the current economic context, more and more credit card companies will be willing to settle the card debts, so now is the best moment for you to solve your financial problems once and for all.

It would be wise to not go directly to a debt settlement company but rather first visit a debt relief network. The top debt relief networks only allow debt settlement companies into their accredited organizations that prove a track record of successfully negotiating debts and have also been certified. They are free to use and offer helpful debt relief advice.

Free Debt Advice