Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Debt Relief vs Bankruptcy

Friday, April 18th

Debt Relief Vs Bankruptcy

Every day, individuals and families are forced into bankruptcy simply because there is no other way out of their financial distress. It is important to realize that, before having to file for bankruptcy, every possible option should be explored to help avoid the single most damaging blemish that a credit report can possess.

Companies that offer debt management, also known as debt relief, provide special programs to help those eligible to repay their debts without having to file for bankruptcy. Many people assume that just because their payments are already late and their credit is already bad, bankruptcy cannot possibly hurt them. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Bankruptcy is severe and is only for those who have exhausted all other efforts. When you file for bankruptcy, your credit report will reflect the filing for up to 10 years. Whenever you apply for a credit card, a mortgage loan or even apply for a job, they will know that you filed for bankruptcy.

So, how will debt consolidation or debt settlement services prove to be more beneficial? Quite simply, either of these methods will show your attempt to repay a debt and will only be reflected on your credit report for up to 7 years. With a debt consolidation service, most creditors will begin reporting your account as current within months of enrolling in a program. A debt settlement notation will appear as "Settled account" and will show future lenders that you repaid your creditor(s) according to a mutually agreed upon amount.

Now that we have explored the long reaching effect of debt management and bankruptcy, take a moment to consider the immediate differences of each. When you enroll in a debt consolidation or debt settlement program, you are simply picking up the telephone and speaking with a credit counselor about your finances. If approved for a program, you will sign a contract and payments will be deducted from your bank account according to the agreement. If you file for bankruptcy, you will be required to disclose every asset that you own, your income and expenses. If you own more than you are permitted to keep according to your state's exemption laws, you may be forced to surrender it to the bankruptcy court who will liquidate the item(s) to repay creditors. In addition, you are required to appear for questioning by a court-appointed trustee hired to oversee your bankruptcy case. When you look at the immediate differences between debt consolidation or debt settlement and filing for bankruptcy, it's obvious that the latter should only be chosen as a last resort.

Debt consolidation is designed to lower your monthly payments and interest rates in an effort to make your budget more feasible. Debt settlement, on the other hand, is a fast and permanent solution to your debt providing you have the funds available to negotiate a fair amount. Most debt management companies will conduct a brief telephone interview, evaluate your situation and explain what options are available for your own individual situation. There is no one universal method that works for everyone, which is why debt management is a uniquely customized program that is as individual as the debtors themselves. Choosing the right debt relief program is all about recognizing the need for help and not being too proud to ask for it.

The Best Debt Relief Companies Compare Debt Relief Companies Compare Debt Relief Company Reviews What are the best Debt Relief Companies Best Debt Relief Company Reviews

Debt Relief Company FAQ

Debt relief is a process that helps people get out from under their ever-mounting financial obligations. This can be accomplished through Debt Negotiation, Debt Settlement, Debt Consolidation or Repayment Plans, among other strategies.
You'll need to have a certain amount of debt to be eligible for debt relief, which varies according to which relief service you choose. Some require a minimum unsecured debt of $7500, while others specify that you need to owe at least $10,000. Also, some debt relief providers aren't licensed in all 50 states - so you may be eligible for debt relief but the service you're considering isn't available in your state.
Believe it or not, many debt relief services are free! Most providers give you a no-cost consultation, analyzing your financial situation and making recommendations tailored to your needs. But, there are some fee-based services, especially if you want someone to negotiate with creditors on your behalf.
Many of the strategies used by debt relief providers can be done on your own, yes. But, in the amount of time it would take you to get up to speed and learn what those strategies are, you could be paying hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in interest. It's almost always a smarter financial move to have the experts do the work for you.
The first step is usually the complimentary consultation, where a representative will go over your debt situation and find out your goals, needs and timeframe. From there, it will depend on which approach you decide to take - but, for the most part, the debt relief service will be in charge of contacting your creditors and working out the details for reducing what you owe.
No two consumers are alike - and debt relief strategies vary as well. Some services offer relief through a personal loan, allowing you to pay off high-interest debt with a lower-interest arrangement, so naturally your situation will change as soon as your loan is funded and used to reduce your monthly payments. On the other hand, if your service is negotiating with your creditors to reduce or eliminate what you owe, that can take several weeks to months.
Most of the time, there isn't. A few debt relief services offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, allowing you to cancel your plan without fees or penalties. Read the fine print of any contract before you sign up, so you'll know exactly what's promised - and what isn't.
Debt relief may sound too good to be true, but it's a legal, well-known method for reducing the debt burden faced by many consumers. Although some fly-by-night services pop up from time to time, most companies offering debt relief have been in business for a decade or longer. You can always check for a company's listing with the Better Business Bureau for further confirmation that it's a trustworthy option for debt relief.

Compare Debt Relief Companies

Select any 2 Debt Relief Companies to compare them head to head

best-debt-relief-companies
See the Best Debt Relief Company
The Best Reviews of Debt Relief Companies