Debt Settlement: Your Bankruptcy Alternative?

There are several different paths you can travel to achieve effective credit card debt reduction and pursue living a debt free life. The method which will be covered here is called debt settlement, and there are numerous debt settlement services to choose from if you determine this is the “debt recovery path” you are going to take. Credit card debt settlement is a credit card debt reduction solution where a negotiation is done with each individual creditor so that a lesser amount is paid, but considered a payment in full on the total outstanding debt. This debt settlement method is oftentimes called credit card debt negotiation or credit card settlement.


To assess if debt settlement is a credit card debt reduction method may be right for you, it is important to first to know the path you are on right now. Begin by asking yourself some very important questions, and be brutally honest with yourself! Have your bills gone to collection agencies? If your accounts have not been turned over to collection agencies, how many months past due are you? Have you started using “balance transfers” as a way of moving your unsecured debt from one creditor to another? Has the concept of filing bankruptcy been in the back of your mind? Are you barely able to pay your minimum payments? Or have you been able to avoid most of these situations, but are afraid you won’t be able to do so for much longer? Are you under constant financial pressure from your credit card debt problems?


Most people would rather pay considerably less money than they owe, right? Not so fast, creditors will only agree to this type of debt settlement program with people who appear to be on the verge of filing bankruptcy but prefer a bankruptcy alternative. The reason a creditor will agree to allow you to pay thousands less than you owe, is because once you are involved in a bankruptcy you will no longer be obligated to pay them a single cent. They prefer to get “something” rather than “nothing”. Obviously creditors will take what they can get while they can get it. However, do know that you are not required to file bankruptcy to be considered for a debt settlement offer from an unsecured creditor. All you need is a reputable and experienced debt settlement service that is both effective and diligent about convincing your creditors to take reduced offers on your credit card debt. Debt settlement services will have those “bankruptcy alternative” discussions directly with your contracted creditors. They will make your creditors aware that you prefer to avoid bankruptcy but have little disposable cash flow to work with, both now and in the foreseeable long term future.


Your creditors may consider you a prime candidate for credit card debt settlement if they review your credit payment history and find that you have frequently been late on your monthly payments, failed to make your payments for several months at a time, or even have unsecured accounts already turned over to various collection agencies. Remember that unsecured creditors do not hold assets that could cover your credit card debt balances like a home or a vehicle. If this is your situation you should contact a debt settlement service with experienced negotiators that will work on your behalf to help reduce your credit card debt through debt negotiation. You will find that debt settlement programs are designed around your current financial dilemma, and attempt to give you significant relief in the monthly commitment required for your credit card debts. Debt settlement programs typically take 2-3 years to complete. You will find that debt settlement services offer a complimentary consultation. This consultation process is used to assess your financial situation and provide you with a workable credit card debt reduction plan that may become your bankruptcy alternative!