Debt Relief Articles

Debt Relief Programs: How They Work, What They Cost, and How to Choose One

Debt relief programs include settlement, credit counseling, and more. Learn what each costs, how they affect your credit, and how to avoid scams.

How We Review Debt Settlement Companies

See exactly how we review debt settlement companies: the six weighted criteria, the star-rating formula, and where every fact comes from.

New Era Debt Solutions Review October 2026

Read our New Era Debt Solutions review to see costs, BBB and Trustpilot ratings, state coverage, and how its settlement program works.

Credit Associates Review October 2026

See Credit Associates' fees, customer ratings, states served, and program length before you enroll in its debt settlement program.

DebtBlue Review October 2026

Read our DebtBlue review to see fees, BBB and Trustpilot ratings, available states, program length, and how its debt settlement program works.

Credit Counseling vs Debt Settlement: Which Is Better?

Credit counseling repays what you owe at lower interest; debt settlement pays less but damages credit. Compare costs, credit impact, and which fits you.

TurboDebt Review October 2026

Read our TurboDebt review to see fees, BBB and Trustpilot ratings, available states, and how its partner-run debt settlement programs work.

Pacific Debt Relief Review October 2026

Our Pacific Debt Relief review covers fees, customer ratings, eligible debts, available states, and how its debt settlement program works.

J.G. Wentworth Review October 2026

Read our J.G. Wentworth review to see fees, customer ratings, available states, and how its debt settlement program works before you enroll.

First Advantage Debt Relief Review October 2026

Our First Advantage Debt Relief review explains what the service is, who owns it, how it makes money from your information, and what to weigh before you apply.

How to Spot Debt Relief Companies to Avoid

Learn the red flags of a bad debt relief company and how to check one before you enroll.

Pros and Cons of Debt Settlement

Weigh debt settlement's real pros and cons, such as credit impact, fees, taxes, and success rates. Learn when it's worth it and what to try first.

She Settled the Debt. Then Came the Tax Question.

Renata settled her first account and saw $3,200 forgiven. Then a friend mentioned taxes. Two accounts left, a question with no clean answer.

She Stopped Paying. Now: Hire Someone or Do It Herself?

Priya has $35,200 in debt and two months of stopped payments. A settlement company would take around 25% of what she owes. DIY costs nothing — but is she...

How to Avoid Debt Relief Scams

Learn the red flags of debt relief scams, the federal rule on upfront fees, and how to verify a company before you pay. Get steps to report a scam.

CuraDebt Review October 2026

CuraDebt review: how its free referral model works, what fees to expect, and its BBB (A+) and Trustpilot ratings—before you request a match.

Take Charge America Review October 2026

Read our Take Charge America review to see fees, BBB and Trustpilot ratings, available states, and how its debt management plan compares to other options.

Money Management International Review October 2026

Read our Money Management International review to check DMP fees, rate concessions, BBB and Trustpilot ratings, and how it compares to debt settlement.

Does Debt Settlement Hurt Your Credit? What Really Happens

Debt settlement can lower your credit score, but the damage isn't permanent. See how it works, how long it lasts, and how to protect your score.

Best Debt Consolidation Companies: How to Choose the Right One

The best debt consolidation company depends on your situation. Compare loan-based and nonprofit DMP options, and learn how to vet any provider.

Oak View Law Group Review October 2026

Read our Oak View Law Group review to see fees, BBB and Trustpilot ratings, program details, and how its debt settlement services compare.

American Consumer Credit Counseling Review October 2026

Read our American Consumer Credit Counseling review to see DMP fees, BBB ratings, coverage, and how its nonprofit credit counseling program works.

What Is Debt Relief? Your Options Explained

Debt relief is an umbrella term for ways to get help with what you owe. Compare DMP, settlement, consolidation, bankruptcy, and how each affects your credit.

Are Debt Consolidation Loans a Good Idea?

Debt consolidation loans could lower your rate and simplify payments, but not always. See when they help, what they cost, and when to look at alternatives.

ClearOne Advantage Review October 2026

ClearOne Advantage is a debt settlement company with strong customer review scores. See if it’s the right fit for you.

Better Debt Solutions Review October 2026

Compare Better Debt Solutions: fees, customer ratings, history, and how its referral-based debt settlement model works.

GreenPath Financial Wellness Review October 2026

Read our GreenPath Financial Wellness review for fees, BBB and Trustpilot ratings, states served, and how it compares to debt settlement.

Beyond Finance Review October 2026

Read our Beyond Finance review to see fees, customer ratings, eligible debts, and how its debt settlement program compares to other options.

United Settlement October 2026 Review

Read our United Settlement review to see fees, customer ratings, available states, and how its debt settlement program compares.

Still Current on Payments—Two Options at a Glance.

Marcus has $28,400 in maxed credit cards and hasn't missed a payment. Now he's wondering if staying current is the wrong move.

How Debt Settlement Affects Renting, Loans, and Financial Access

Wondering if debt settlement hurts your chances of renting or borrowing? Here’s what landlords and lenders actually check, and what stays off their radar.

American Debt Relief Review October 2026

Is American Debt Relief the right fit? We reviewed the fees, customer ratings, and real risks so you can decide before you call.

Americor Debt Relief Review October 2026

Americor debt relief review—how the program works, what it costs, the credit impact, and whether it fits your situation.

Why Does My Debt Have to Go to Collections Before Settlement?

Creditors aren't usually willing to settle a debt if you're still making payments. Learn why your accounts need to be past-due before debt settlement is an option.

Will Debt Settlement Prevent Me From Renting an Apartment?

Debt settlement doesn't block you from renting. Here's what landlords actually see on your credit report, and why missed payments matter more than the program.

The Collections Process in Debt Settlement Explained

Collections doesn't stop when you enroll in debt settlement. Here's how falling behind, charge-off, and collector contact actually work, and what the law limits.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.