Debt Relief Programs - Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Debt Relief Programs

Posted: Jan 17, 2010 |Comments: 0 | Views: 305 |

There are several debt relief programs available for individuals who want to reduce or eliminate their financial liabilities. Some of these debt relief programs are debt settlement, consolidation, and management. All these choices work in different ways, and in turn, offer several pros and cons to consumers.

Debt Settlement
A debt settlement allows an individual to reduce the total amount of debt owed. This is done through negotiations entered into by the creditor and the debtor, either by himself or through a settlement company. Debt settlements do not have fairly consistent results; the reduction, if approved and implemented, varies depending on the individual's financial status, his standing with the creditor, and the negotiator's skills in persuading the creditor in decreasing the amount owed.

Benefits:
- The amount owed will be reduced. This will help debtors in managing monthly payments.
- Creditors will change the status of a consumer's account, making it current, once he is enrolled in a debt relief program.
- A settlement will remove the fees and interests on the outstanding balance as well as the over limit fees, making payments more affordable.

Drawbacks:
- A consumer's credit scores will be affected once he goes into a debt settlement program.
- The balance that is waived will be showed as income and taxes on the said amount will have to be filed.

Debt Consolidation
Consolidation involves taking out another loan to pay off all existing debt, thereby having only to pay off one remaining loan at a lower interest rate and with far less fees.

The main benefit to consolidation as one of the feasible debt relief programs is the ease in making payments - an individual will only have to think of a single due date, and at the same time, keep track of payments that have been made. Debt consolidation also means paying off only one interest at lower rates.

One possible drawback to consolidating debt is the possibility of owing even more money if the plan does not work out. Not all consolidation companies provide reliable services and may take advantage of a debtor's situation.

Debt Management
Debt management is a way for people to pay off debt through the help of a counselor or some other professional within the industry. This professional will typically go over the person's finances and help him come up with a repayment plan.

Some pros to debt management are the probable reduction of monthly dues. It is also an informal agreement that does not require insolvency procedures such as bankruptcy. Another benefit to debt management is the possibility of preventing creditors from taking action against the individual once an agreement with the creditor has been reached.

One major disadvantage to debt management is the risk of having the creditors change their minds about the agreement, as it is not formal. The consumer's credit rating will also be affected.

If you want to get out of debt and hire a debt settlement company for debt negotiation then I have an important piece of advice. Do Not go directly to a particular debt settlement company but rather first go to a debt relief network who is affiliated with several legitimate debt companies. In order to be in the debt relief network, the debt settlement companies must prove a track record of successfully negotiating and eliminating debt. They must also pass an ethical standards test. Going through a debt relief network will ensure that the debt company you are provided with is a legitimate and respected company. This is the most efficient way in finding the best debt settlement companies and increasing your chances of eliminating your debt.

FreeDebtSettlementAdvice.com is one of the largest and most respected debt relief networks on the marketplace today. To find a debt settlement company through FreeDebtSettlementAdvice.com check out the following link:Free Debt Advice

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    debt relief programs

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