Pay back less than you owe.
When a lost job, a medical bill or rising prices put your credit cards out of reach, debt relief negotiates the balances down to one monthly payment you can manage.
Total of credit cards, personal loans and medical bills.
Estimated savingsvs. paying only the minimum*
$54,387
Prefer to talk? (877) 800-0292
Free, no obligation, and checking won't affect your credit score. *An estimate, not a quote. Assumptions
How $25,000 becomes $19,500
Creditors would rather recover part of a balance than none of it. A debt relief program saves your monthly deposit in an account you own, then negotiates each debt down one at a time. You approve every settlement, and fees come only after a debt is settled.
- Settled with creditors, about 53%
- $13,250
- Program fees, about 25%
- $6,250
- Less than your current balance
- $5,500
Minimum Payment Warning
With no new charges, if each month you pay…
| Each month | Paid off in | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Only the minimum | 32 yrs 10 mo | $73,887 |
| A consolidation loan | 5 yrs | $37,279 |
| Debt relief* | 4 yrs 4 mo | $19,500 |
About $375 a month for 52 months$19,500
*Illustration, not a quote: assumes settlements near 53% of enrolled debt plus 25% fees over 24–60 months, minimums at 24% APR and a loan at 17% APR. Results vary; debt relief can hurt your credit, and forgiven debt may be taxable. All assumptions
Hard times happen to careful people.
Debt usually follows something that changed: a paycheck, a diagnosis, a marriage, a business. Falling behind after that isn't a character flaw, and asking for help is how it starts to get better.
What happens after you reach out
Debt relief is a way to pay off credit cards and other unsecured debt for less than the full balance, by negotiating settlements while you save in one account. It can lower what you repay, but it usually lowers your credit score during the program.
Today
Answer six questions about what you owe. It takes about two minutes and doesn't touch your credit score.
In a day or two
A specialist goes through your budget and every option with you, including the ones that don't involve a program.
If you enroll
Your legal team sends a power of attorney to your creditors within 24 hours, so debt collectors deal with them instead of you. One monthly deposit goes into an account you own.
As savings build
Each debt is negotiated on its own, and you approve every settlement before it's paid. If a creditor sues, lawsuit defense is included.
The last settlement
Programs typically finish in 24 to 60 months. From there, the work is rebuilding your credit with on-time payments.
Every way out, side by side
Settlement isn't right for everyone. If you can qualify for a lower rate or repay in full with help, those paths cost your credit less. Your evaluation covers all of them.
| Option | Best for | Repay in full? | Credit impact | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt relief (settlement) | Significant unsecured debt and real financial hardship; already behind or about to fall behind | No, creditors may accept less than owed | Negative during the program | Typically 2–5 years |
| Consolidation loan | Good-to-fair credit and steady income to qualify for a lower rate | Yes | Neutral to positive if paid on time | Typically 2–7 years |
| Debt management plan | Steady income that can repay in full if interest rates are reduced | Yes | Neutral; enrolled cards are usually closed | Typically 3–5 years |
| Balance transfer card | Smaller balances and good credit to qualify for a 0% intro APR | Yes | Neutral to positive | Length of the intro period |
| Bankruptcy | Debt that can't realistically be repaid through other options | Depends on chapter | Severe; stays on report 7–10 years | Months (Ch. 7) to 3–5 years (Ch. 13) |
Questions people ask first
Still unsure? A specialist can walk you through any of these on your free evaluation call.
What is debt relief?
Debt relief is any strategy that makes unsecured debt easier to pay off, such as negotiating with creditors to settle balances for less than you owe, consolidating debts into one lower-interest loan, or enrolling in a credit counseling debt management plan. The right option depends on your balance, income, credit, and how far behind you are.
How does a debt relief (debt settlement) program work?
You stop paying enrolled creditors directly and instead make one monthly deposit into a dedicated account you own. As funds build, the debt relief company negotiates with each creditor to accept less than the full balance. When you approve a settlement, it is paid from the account and the company earns its fee. Programs commonly last 24 to 60 months.
Will getting a free debt evaluation affect my credit score?
No. Requesting a free evaluation and reviewing your options does not affect your credit score. Some programs may later review your credit with a soft inquiry, which is not visible to lenders. Enrolling in debt settlement itself can lower your score because accounts typically become delinquent during the program.
How much debt do I need to qualify for debt relief?
Many debt settlement programs require at least several thousand dollars of unsecured debt, often around $7,500 to $10,000 or more. Smaller balances may be better suited to a consolidation loan, a balance transfer card, or a nonprofit debt management plan.
What types of debt are eligible?
Debt relief programs generally work with unsecured debt such as credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, store cards, and accounts in collections. Secured debts such as mortgages and auto loans, and most federal student loans, are usually not eligible.
Are there upfront fees?
Under the FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule, debt relief companies that sell services by phone cannot charge fees until they have settled at least one of your debts and you have made at least one payment under that settlement. Be cautious of any company that asks for payment before settling a debt.
Is forgiven debt taxable?
It can be. The IRS may treat canceled debt of $600 or more as taxable income, and creditors may send you a Form 1099-C. Exceptions such as insolvency may apply. Talk with a tax professional about your situation.
What is the difference between debt settlement and debt consolidation?
Debt consolidation combines several debts into one new loan or card, ideally at a lower interest rate, and you still repay the full balance. Debt settlement negotiates to pay creditors less than the full balance owed, which can lower total cost but typically harms your credit during the program.
See what you could save.
Two minutes, six questions, no obligation. Checking your options won’t affect your credit score.