Struggling with debt?

How to Settle Debt for Pennies on the Dollar

Dealing With Debt Can Be Overwhelming – But There Are Options

Debt can pile up before you know it; maybe it was from medical bills, student loans, or just living beyond your means for too long. Whatever the reason, once those past due notices start rolling in, it‘s an awful feeling. The constant phone calls from debt collectors, the fear of being taken to court, the anxiety over how this could impact your credit score…it’s a lot to deal with.But don’t lose hope just yet. There are ways to get out from under that mountain of debt without having to pay it all back at full price. One strategy that can provide serious relief is settling your debts for just a fraction of what you owe – sometimes just pennies on the dollar. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, keep reading because we’re going to break down exactly how debt settlement works and whether it might be the right move for your situation.

What is Debt Settlement?

Debt settlement is a process where you negotiate with your creditors to pay off a lump sum that‘s less than the total balance owed. The creditor agrees to accept this discounted payoff and considers your debt settled and paid in full.For example, let’s say you have $20,000 in credit card debt. Through debt settlement, you may be able to negotiate a lump sum payoff of just $5,000 or $6,000. The creditor writes off the remaining balance as a loss, but they get at least some of what‘s owed to them.It’s kind of like when you‘re trying to get rid of something on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You’d rather take $50 for that old dresser than have it just sitting around collecting dust, right? Same idea for creditors – getting a portion of the debt is better for them than potentially getting nothing if you end up filing bankruptcy.Now, debt settlement definitely has its pros and cons that we’ll dig into. But first, it‘s important to understand that this is really a last resort option when you‘ve exhausted all other possibilities for paying off your debt. Creditors are not going to be eager to settle unless they truly believe you’re in financial hardship and bankruptcy is a very real possibility.

- -

Pros of Debt Settlement

• Save money – This is the obvious big one. If you’re able to settle all your debts through lump sum payments that are just a fraction of what you owe, you could potentially save yourself thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
• Avoid bankruptcy – Bankruptcy should always be an absolute last resort, as it can have severe, long-lasting impacts on your credit and financial future. Debt settlement is a way to deal with your debts without going that far.
• Single payment to worry about – Instead of juggling multiple monthly payments to various creditors, you make one lump sum payment through your debt settlement program and you’re done.
• Stop harassment from debt collectors – Those annoying calls and letters from debt collectors will cease once your debts are settled and paid off.

Cons of Debt Settlement

• Damage to your credit score – Having accounts go delinquent as part of the debt settlement process can really ding your credit score. It may take years to fully recover.
• Risk of being sued – If negotiations break down, your creditors could potentially take you to court to try and recover the full debt amount you owe.
• Tax consequences – Any amount of debt that a creditor writes off may be considered taxable income that you’ll have to claim on your tax return.
• Upfront fees – Many debt settlement companies charge fees for their services, which can range from 15-25% of your total debt amount. This cuts into your overall savings.

So in summary, debt settlement allows you to settle debts for much less than you owe, but there are definite risks involved that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Whether it’s ultimately the right path for you depends on your specific financial situation.

How Does Debt Settlement Work?

If after weighing the pros and cons you decide debt settlement is something you want to pursue, here’s a basic overview of how the process works:

1. Find a debt settlement company – Unless you want to try negotiating with each of your creditors yourself (which is extremely difficult), you’ll likely want to work with a debt settlement company. They have professional negotiators who deal with creditors all the time. Do your research to find a reputable company with a proven track record.
2. Stop making payments to creditors – This is a key part of the debt settlement strategy. You have to show your creditors that you are in legitimate financial hardship and cannot continue making regular payments. The debt settlement company will advise you to start paying into a dedicated account instead of paying creditors.
3. Debt settlement company negotiates – As your debt goes delinquent, the debt settlement company steps in and negotiates lump sum payoff amounts with each of your creditors. Their leverage is being able to show the creditor you have funds available to pay a portion of what’s owed.
4. Pay settlement amounts – Once settlement deals are reached, you pay the agreed-upon amounts from the funds you’ve been depositing into the dedicated account. The creditors consider your debts settled and paid off.
5. Repair your credit – After settling all your debts, you can begin taking steps to rebuild your credit score over time through positive credit behaviors.

The entire debt settlement process can take anywhere from 6 months to a few years to fully play out depending on how quickly settlements can be negotiated.

Is Debt Settlement Right for You?

Debt settlement is a very specific debt relief strategy that works best for certain situations. Here are some key factors to consider:

- -

• Amount of debt owed – Debt settlement is usually only advisable if you owe at least $10,000 or more across multiple creditors. Less than that and the potential savings may not outweigh the downsides.
• Inability to pay – You need to demonstrate a true inability to continue making minimum payments on your debts. If you can realistically pay them off through other means like debt consolidation or budgeting, that’s the better route.
• Available lump sum – You’ll need to have enough cash on hand or the ability to save up a lump sum to make the negotiated settlement offers. Debt settlement companies typically advise having at least 25-50% of your total debt amount available.
• Patience and discipline – The debt settlement process requires a lot of patience as negotiations can drag on for months or years. You also need the discipline to stop paying creditors and instead funnel money into the dedicated settlement account.

If you don‘t meet those criteria, debt settlement may not be the best solution. Other options like debt consolidation, credit counseling, or bankruptcy might be better paths depending on your circumstances.But if debt settlement does seem like it could provide the debt relief you need, then it’s worth exploring further. Just go into it with open eyes about the potential credit score damage and tax implications.

How to Find a Reputable Debt Settlement Company

Working with a debt settlement company is highly recommended versus trying to negotiate settlements yourself. Their professional negotiators know all the tactics and can often get much better deals than the average consumer could.However, the debt settlement industry has its fair share of bad apples. You‘ll want to do thorough research to find a reputable, ethical company with a proven track record of success. Here are some tips:

• Check credentials and accreditations – Look for companies that are accredited and in good standing with organizations like the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC) and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).
• Read reviews and complaints – Scour review sites like the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews to get a sense of customer satisfaction and any recurring complaints. But take individual negative reviews with a grain of salt.
• Understand their fees – Reputable debt settlement companies should be upfront about their fee structure, which is typically 15-25% of your total enrolled debt amount. Be wary of companies asking for large upfront fees before any work is done.
• Get details on their process – A good debt settlement company should be able to clearly explain their entire process, estimated timelines, how they’ll communicate with you, and what results you can realistically expect.
• Check for lawsuits or disciplinary actions – Do some digging to see if the company has any outstanding lawsuits or disciplinary actions against them from state or federal regulators.
• Consider their experience and team – Look for companies that have been in business for several years with an experienced team of professional debt negotiators and legal staff.

Taking the time to thoroughly vet potential debt settlement companies upfront can save you major headaches down the road. Don’t just go with the first one you find through a Google search.

Alternatives to Debt Settlement

Debt settlement isn’t the only way to deal with overwhelming debt. Depending on your specific circumstances, one of these other debt relief options may be a better fit:Debt consolidation loan – This involves taking out one new loan to pay off all your existing debts, ideally with a lower interest rate that makes payments more manageable. Your credit will need to be good enough to qualify.Balance transfer credit card – Similar concept of consolidating balances to one new card, but usually with a 0% APR promotional period to give you breathing room to pay down debt interest-free.Credit counseling – You work with an accredited credit counseling agency to get on a debt management plan (DMP) that consolidates payments and reduces interest rates, with the goal of paying off debts in full over 3-5 years.Bankruptcy – The nuclear option that should always be an absolute last resort. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out most debts entirely, while Chapter 13 allows you to get on a court-approved repayment plan. Both types will severely damage your credit for years.Debt settlement – As we’ve covered, this allows you to settle debts for a lump sum that’s much less than the full balance owed, but with risks like credit damage and potential tax consequences.The right debt relief solution depends on your goals, financial situation, and how much you‘re able to pay each month towards your debts. Debt settlement has its place, but it’s not a magic cure-all. Carefully weigh all your options.

Making Debt Settlement More Affordable

Let’s be real – even if you‘re able to settle debts for just a fraction of what you owe, coming up with a lump sum of thousands of dollars is still no easy feat when you‘re in financial hardship. The good news is there are some potential ways to make debt settlement more affordable:

- -

• Borrow from retirement accounts – You may be able to take a loan or hardship withdrawal from a 401(k) or IRA without penalty to cover your settlement amounts. Just be aware of potential tax implications.
• Leverage home equity – If you have equity built up in your home, you could take out a home equity loan or line of credit to access those funds for debt settlement.
• Borrow from friends/family – It’s not ideal, but some are able to borrow money from loved ones to cover settlement lump sums with the agreement to pay them back over time.
• Debt settlement loans – Some companies offer special loans specifically designed to fund debt settlement programs. These are typically secured by assets like a home or car.
• Debt settlement programs with fees paid over time – While many debt settlement companies want their fees paid upfront, some will allow you to pay fees over the course of the program through a percentage of each settlement amount.

The key is being creative and exploring all possible options to come up with the funds needed to take advantage of the reduced settlement amounts. It may require some short-term sacrifices, but getting out of debt is worth it.

Rebuilding Credit After Debt Settlement

One of the biggest downsides of debt settlement is the damage it can do to your credit score. With delinquent accounts and settled debts showing up on your credit report, your score will likely take a major hit that can last for years.The good news is that your credit can recover over time through positive credit behaviors. Here are some tips for rebuilding your credit after debt settlement:

• Get a secured credit card – One of the fastest ways to start rebuilding credit is by getting a secured credit card and using it responsibly. Your security deposit becomes your credit limit.
• Become an authorized user – See if a family member with good credit will add you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards. Their positive payment history could help your score.
• Apply for new credit slowly – Don’t go crazy applying for every credit card offer you get. Apply for new credit slowly and stagger applications over time.
• Check your credit reports – Get free copies of your credit reports from the three bureaus and dispute any errors you find that could be dragging down your score.
• Use credit monitoring – Services like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame allow you to monitor your credit for free and get tips on improving your scores.
• Practice good credit habits – Make all bill payments on time, keep credit card balances low, and be patient. It takes time but your score will improve.

Rebuilding credit is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay the course with good financial habits and your credit score will eventually recover from the debt settlement process.

- -