Debt Articles

How to Cancel a Debt Settlement Program and What to Expect

Cancel your debt settlement program in three steps and know what happens to your money, your debts, and creditor contact after you leave.

Why Won't Debt Settlement Companies Let Me Cancel?

Tried to cancel your debt settlement program and got pushback? Here's what federal rules say about your right to leave, and what canceling actually costs you.

Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans?

Filing bankruptcy on student loans is possible—but it takes an extra step. Learn how the adversary proceeding works, who qualifies, and what to do if you don’t.

How Much Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost?

Chapter 13 starts with a $313 filing fee, plus attorney fees, a trustee fee, and other costs. Learn what you’ll pay—and how most fees could fit into your plan.

Getting a Mortgage After Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy doesn't end your path to homeownership. Learn how soon you could apply for a mortgage, what lenders consider, and how to prepare your application.

What Happens to Debt in Divorce

Debt doesn't disappear in a divorce. Learn how marital debt is divided, which spouse is responsible, and how to protect your credit and finances.

Why Debt Settlement Fees Feel Higher Than Expected

Debt settlement fees have three parts, and a debt settlement company isn't allowed to collect them upfront. Find out how they work here.

Do Debt Settlement Companies Just Make Calls I Could Make Myself?

DIY debt negotiation is real. But debt settlement companies aren't charging for phone calls. Here's what the fee actually covers.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Timeline: What to Expect

Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes 3 to 4 months from filing to discharge. Here's what happens at each stage—and what could extend your timeline.

When Can a Credit Card Company Sue You?

Credit card companies could sue after 180 days of missed payments—but lawsuits aren’t inevitable. Learn what triggers legal action and what to do about it.

What Debt Settlement Companies Actually Do vs DIY Negotiation

A debt settlement company does more than make phone calls. Here is how the work compares with handling negotiation on your own.

Help With Credit Card Debt Over $10,000

Carrying over $10,000 in credit card debt? Learn which relief options fit your situation, from debt management plans to settlement to bankruptcy.

Sample Answer to Summons for Credit Card Debt

Received a summons for credit card debt? Learn what to include in your answer, see sample language, and understand your options, including settlement.

Their Fees Are Wild—Why Debt Settlement Costs Add Up

Debt settlement fees are calculated based on your enrolled debts. Find out more about debt settlement company fees here.

How to Get Out of Debt with Bad Credit

Bad credit limits your options, but it doesn’t eliminate them. Here are the realistic paths out of debt that don't require a high credit score.

How Does Paying a Debt Settlement Company Actually Work?

Your monthly payments don’t go to your creditors. Here’s where the money actually goes, what happens while it sits there, and how a debt gets resolved.

Do I Still Owe Creditors After Paying the Settlement Company?

If you’ve been paying into a debt settlement program, your creditors haven’t been paid yet. Here’s how the money actually flows and what settled really means.

How to File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Learn how to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy step by step—from credit counseling and gathering documents to the repayment plan and discharge.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Exemptions: What You Can Keep

Chapter 7 bankruptcy exemptions protect your home, car, and essentials. Learn how federal and state exemptions work and what property you could keep.

Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy damages your credit but doesn't ruin it for life. Learn how to check your reports, choose the right tools, and rebuild step by step.

What Actually Happens to My Money During Debt Settlement?

Worried about where your money goes in debt settlement? Federal law requires it to be held in an account you own. Here’s what the law says.

Chapter 13 vs. Debt Management Plan: How to Choose

Comparing Chapter 13 bankruptcy and a debt management plan? Learn how each works, what they cost, and how to decide which fits your situation.

How to Handle $25,000 in Credit Card Debt

Carrying $25,000 in credit card debt? You have options whether you’re still current or already behind. Learn which path forward fits your situation.

Rebuilding Credit After Chapter 7

Your discharge is behind you. Here’s what to expect for your credit reports and a plan to rebuild your credit going forward.

What Is the Dedicated Savings Account in Debt Settlement?

The dedicated savings account in debt settlement is held in your name at an FDIC-insured bank, not by the debt settlement company. Learn how it works and what you control.

5 Financial Hardships That Qualify for Partial Debt Forgiveness

Facing job loss, illness, divorce, or another crisis? Learn which 5 financial hardships could help you qualify for partial debt forgiveness.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets people with regular income repay debts over 3 to 5 years while keeping assets. Learn how it works, what it costs, and who qualifies.

Bankruptcy Alternatives: Your Options and How to Decide

Behind on debt or worried about it? Bankruptcy isn’t the only option. Learn which alternatives you could qualify for, afford, and that actually fit your goals.

Credit Card Lawyer: When You Need One for Debt

A credit card lawyer could help if you've been sued, harassed by collectors, or can't resolve your debt alone. Learn when to hire one and what to expect.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Payment Calculator

Estimate your Chapter 13 plan payment and learn how courts calculate what you owe each month. Understand the three tests that set your number.

How to Get Out of Debt on a Low Income

Debt on a limited income is hard, but real strategies could help. Learn to budget, choose a repayment method, and find relief options that fit your situation.

How to Get Out of Debt With No Job

Lost your job but still have debt? Learn what to do first, which debt relief options could still work with no paycheck, and what to expect if payments stop.

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Which Is Right?

There are two types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Find out here which could meet your needs.

What Actually Happens to My Money During Debt Settlement?

Worried a debt settlement company holds your money? Here's what actually happens, including what you control and what to watch out for.

Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Settlement

Debt settlement and debt consolidation are two different ways to deal with debt. Learn about both to decide which is right for you.

Why Does Debt Settlement Require Stopped Payments?

Stopping payments is part of how debt settlement works, not a scheme. Understand the logic, the real costs, and what to consider before deciding.

How Long Does It Take Credit to Recover After Debt Settlement?

Debt settlement damages your credit—but for most people, the damage started before the program did. Here's what rebuilding actually looks like.

The Real Risks of Debt Settlement (That Companies Don’t Always Mention)

Reputable debt settlement companies disclose the risks. Some don’t. Learn what should be on the table before you sign, and what to ask if it isn’t.

Will Creditors Empty My Bank Account If I Set Up Payments?

Agreeing to set up payments with a creditor doesn't mean they will drain your bank account. Find out the real story here.

Credit Card Debt Forgiveness: Is It Possible?

Credit card debt forgiveness is possible, but not always how the ads make it seem. Learn how it works, who it's for, and what it really costs.

Help With Credit Card Debt Over $50,000

Carrying more than $50,000 in credit card debt? Explore your options—debt management plans, settlement, bankruptcy—and find a path for your situation.

Coping with Financial Hardship: Practical Tips

Struggling financially? Learn how to gauge your situation, triage your bills, find assistance programs, and explore debt relief options that could help.

How Much Credit Card Debt Is Too Much?

No single number defines “too much” credit card debt. Use these benchmarks to judge for yourself—and find out what to do if your balance has gone too far.

What Is a Debt Hardship Program and When Should You Ask for One?

A debt hardship program could lower your payment while you recover. Learn what it is, how it works, and when to contact your lender—before it's too late.

Should I Stop Payments and Negotiate My Debt—Or Is That a Bad Idea?

Whether stopping payments to negotiate debt makes sense depends on where you stand—not on the sales pitch. Here's a framework for both situations.

What Are the Real Risks of Debt Settlement?

Debt settlement carries risks: credit damage, lawsuits, taxes, fees. Learn what could happen, and how to decide if the potential trade-off makes sense for you.

What Happens If You Can't Finish Your Debt Management Plan

Many people don't complete a DMP. Learn why completion rates are low, what happens when you leave, and what options exist if you can't continue.

Does a Debt Management Plan Lower Your Monthly Payment?

A DMP often lowers your monthly payment, but not always. Learn why your payment may be higher than expected and how to know if it fits your budget.

Your Credit Cards Get Closed in a Debt Management Plan

Enrolling in a DMP means closing your credit cards. Learn what actually closes, whether you can keep one open, and how to know if a DMP is the right fit.

Is Debt Settlement Worth the Fees?

Debt settlement fees run around 25% of enrolled debt—and yes, you could negotiate yourself. Here’s how to evaluate whether the cost is justified for your situation.