Debt Relief, Help and Debt Settlement Solutions

Debt Settlement Frequently Asked Questions

www.settlemyunsecureddebt.com - America's Debt Solutions Resource

Brief History on Debt Settlement: Lenders have been practicing debt settlement concepts for hundreds of years. Creditors are usually willing to settle because it means that they will receive some amount of money owed as opposed to nothing or very little if the client files for bankruptcy. Debt settlement became prominent in America when bank deregulation during the late 80s made lending to consumers easier. This deregulation was followed by a recession which created financial hardships for consumers. As individual consumer debts increased, banks established debt settlement departments to negotiate with defaulted cardholders.

Will debt settlement affect my credit?
The real question is how much credit exists? With a high amount of debt will a creditor lend? Consumer credit scores are based on more than just timeliness of bill payments. Debt-to-income ratio plays a part in the total FICO picture. Debt settlement can decrease FICO scores however our network of financial professionals have proven methods to help rebuild your credit quickly and effectively once you are out of debt. Remember, the goal is to get out of debt first, not use credit to get into more debt.

Customer Service?
We only use prestigious law firms and attorneys who represent their clients throughout the debt settlement process. We also partner with a network of financial affiliates to help with all elements of financial stability.

Credibility?
Some unaccredited companies take on clients that are not suited for debt settlement. Additionally, clients of debt companies do not enjoy the power of an attorney on their side. Some debt settlement companies take the client's money and do nothing. These types of debt settlement companies have tarnished the industry. Our client retention rates are much higher than non-attorney debt settlement companies. We strive to provide transparency and integrity throughout the process. Debt settlement requires both a commitment from the client and the law firm to ensure that they are successful in achieving debt relief.

Lawsuits?
Written in most credit card contracts is the ability for the credit card company to sue a cardholder even if they are only one day late on a payment. The likelihood of lawsuits is low but is always a possibility. Our attorneys know how to keep lawsuits to a minimum because they understand that litigation is costly for both parties.

Tax Consequences?
Forgiven debt amounts are seen as taxable income by the IRS. Contact a tax professional and they can advise on how partial insolvency may be shown to lessen tax liability.

Do it myself?
Debt settlement can be performed by the consumer directly however, consumers usually can only communicate with the in-house collections department. Our attorneys communicate with the loss mitigation department, which in some instances the public cannot access. This is the same department that oversees short sales in real estate.

The consumer, creditors, businesses and the court system all benefit through a debt settlement program as opposed to bankruptcy. Creditors receive money from consumers who would otherwise have paid nothing if they filed for bankruptcy protection. The court systems are not as overloaded with collection and bankruptcy cases. Our debt settlement clients get the debt negotiation services they need and can enjoy the peace of mind of financial freedom.

Choose your resident state from the list below. Detailed and specific information is available at the state level. If you have not had all of your questions answered or seek further guidance please fill out the state contact form and one of our local representatives will be there to assist you.