Get Out of Debt: Use Debt Settlement to Your Advantage

A debt settlement program is a viable solution for many of the individuals and couples out there who have gotten into debt over their heads. Debt can get out of hand easily, particularly because it is so easy to fall behind on financial obligations, overuse credit cards too often, or even make an incorrect estimation of how much money will be left at the end of the month.Many people also tend to spend money before they have it, and then fall short on paying their bills when the time comes. For these reasons and more, debt settlement is a great way to get back on the right track financially and start living life again.Debt Settlement Vs. BankruptcyIf your life has become a continuous bombardment of creditors and collections agencies harassing you (oftentimes at work), then debt settlement can put an end to all of that, too. Debt settlement is a better alternative to your financial worries than bankruptcy. Bankruptcy can leave a scar on your credit for an entire decade that is very hard to overcome. Debt settlement is noted on your credit record, also, but will remain for a shorter period of time. For most borrowers and in most situations, debt settlement can be the first step on the road to financial recovery.Is Debt Settlement the Same as Debt Consolidation?Debt settlement is different than debt consolidation. In debt settlement or in a debt settlement program, your debt is settled for less than the amount that you actually owe and the creditor or creditors that agree to settle for less write off the remainder of the debt. Most debt settlements are settled at 40% to 70% of the amount that is owed, and you make reasonable payments on the remainder of the debt. Debt settlement is the quickest and easiest route to get out of debt.Debt Settlement ProcessWhen you are working with a debt settlement company, you will be asked to report all of the debts that you are paying on, and which of those you are having the most trouble paying. If you have an account in collections, this is a good debt to put out there for debt settlement.Once you have gathered all of your information together, you will be asked for income statements, banking statements, and other general information to help the debt settlement company better negotiate with your creditors. You will be asked to prepare a statement to your creditors that details the reasons that you have been unable to make your payments - such as if there are extenuating circumstances like a death or illness in the family, for example.Many creditors are willing to accept a debt settlement. The reason for this is that if you file bankruptcy, chances are that these creditors will receive nothing for the debt that you owe them. However, there are different policies regarding debt settlement with different creditors, so do not plan on all of your creditors accepting a debt settlement.