Debt settlement programs were once done by you/your lawyer with creditors. Today, people are overwhelmed with rising mortgage rates, losing a job, rising credit rates and higher prices in utilities, food, and gas. Many found themselves deep in debt. Add penalties, late bank fees, credit cards, and car payments, insurance; you get the picture.

Bankruptcy is one answer, but leads to other problems. Credit becomes difficult to acquire for seven years for Chapter 7, and anytime during repayment of Chapter 13. Bankruptcies reached 1.5 million nationwide by the end of 2009, says the American Bankruptcy Institute. ‘”Next year’s bankruptcy numbers will probably be close to this year’s,” said Dr. Bernard Weinstein, professor of business economics, Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.” Today, the best way to get out of debt quickly is a program called, debt settlement. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. There are two things to worry about. First, is cost. Companies charge 10-15% of the debt up front. This can turn your financial situation from bad to worse.

The second is the damage done to your credit report. “Debt settlement will show negatively on your report. But, is still better than bankruptcy, which makes a bigger dent in credibility”.

You’ll make one payment a month. You stop using credit cards, learn to budget and live within your means. The company gets penalties reduced/eliminated and lowers interest on everything outstanding. They reduce home loan interest; payments go down, while in repayment mode. In most states (except Texas) there is no collection agency harassment while making payments. You talk only to the debt settlement company, having the experience and carrot for creditors. The idea is that some money is better than none. Within a few years, debt is reduced significantly through effective negotiation and distribution.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm and is filed under Debt settlement program. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.