Navigating Debt Settlement with Empathy and Care

Debt can feel like a dark cloud looming over your life. Here at Coastal Law Firm, we understand how stressful and overwhelming debt can be. That’s why our approach to debt settlement is rooted in empathy, compassion, and truly caring about your unique situation.

The Debt Settlement Landscape

With rising inflation and economic uncertainty, many Americans are struggling with high levels of debt. Credit card debt, medical debt, student loans – it can all add up quickly. Debt settlement is one option to resolve debt, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.Debt settlement involves negotiating with creditors to pay a lump sum that is less than the total amount owed. Creditors agree to this because they would rather have a portion of the debt paid than risk getting nothing. The pros of debt settlement are reducing total debt owed and lower monthly payments. The cons are damage to your credit score, paying taxes on forgiven debt, and paying fees to the debt settlement company.There are many debt settlement companies to choose from, but not all operate ethically. Some charge very high fees or make unrealistic promises. Others take money from clients but deliver poor results. This leads many people to feel they were scammed when trying debt settlement.

Our Approach: Empathy First

At Coastal Law Firm, our approach is different. We put empathy first and focus on truly understanding your situation. This informs the customized debt settlement strategy we create together.

• We take time to listen and show we care. Debt takes an emotional toll. We provide a judgement-free space to share your story.
• We ask thoughtful questions to understand your unique circumstances. Have you lost a job or faced unexpected medical bills? Are you prioritizing student loan or credit card debt?
• We are realistic about what debt settlement can achieve. There are no “easy buttons” so we set clear expectations.
• We are upfront about fees and put your interests first. You will understand exactly what we charge and why before ever paying a cent.

A Holistic Process, Step by Step

If debt settlement seems right for your situation, we develop a customized plan across a few key phases:1. Assess Debts – We thoroughly review your debts, interest rates, monthly payments, credit score and budget. This helps us triage which debts to target first.2. Negotiate Settlements – We contact your creditors and negotiate reduced payoff amounts. With our expertise, we know how to get optimal settlements. This can take some time.3. Set Up Dedicated Account – We set up a dedicated account and work with you to build savings to fund settlements. This account is used only for negotiated settlements.4. Pay Creditors – Once sufficient savings accumulate in the dedicated account, we pay the negotiated settlement amounts to your creditors.5. Repair Credit – As debts are resolved, we advise you on next steps to start rebuilding your credit score. The damage from debt settlement is not permanent.

Debt Settlement Success Stories

Debt settlement can feel like an uphill battle, but thousands have overcome debt with our approach focused on empathy, care and ethical practices. Here are a few examples:

• Sandra R., a teacher, had $42,000 in credit card debt after unexpected medical bills for her child. We negotiated settlements of $21,000 paid over 2 years. This saved Sandra $21,000.
• Michael T., an engineer, had $67,000 in student loans with high interest rates. We settled his 3 largest loans for $22,000, reducing his total debt by $45,000.
• Patricia H., a single mom, had $15,000 in credit card debt and was struggling to pay monthly bills. We negotiated payoffs of $7,500 over 18 months. Patricia is now debt free.

Learn more about debt settlement success stories.

The Path Forward

Debt can feel overwhelming but taking the first step is empowering. At Coastal Law Firm, our goal is to provide judgement-free debt help with empathy. We firmly believe financial challenges do not define you. Contact us today to start an honest conversation about your debt situation. The path forward looks brighter when you don’t walk it alone.