Guides: everything about debt settlement, explained honestly
Start with whichever matches what you're actually deciding right now.
What Is Debt Settlement and How Does It Actually Work?
A plain explanation of what debt settlement is and how it works in the US: the process, the timeline, who it tends to fit, and what it doesn't do.
Read the guide →Debt Settlement vs Consolidation vs Credit Counseling: The Real Differences
A side-by-side, honest comparison of debt settlement, consolidation loans and nonprofit credit counseling in the US, including cost, credit impact and who each fits.
Read the guide →How Much Does Debt Settlement Actually Cost? Fees, Taxes and the Real Math
The real cost of debt settlement in the US: typical company fees, the federal rule on when they can be charged, tax consequences, and a worked example.
Read the guide →Does Debt Settlement Hurt Your Credit Score? The Real Impact and Timeline
How debt settlement affects your US credit score, month by month, how long a settled mark stays on your report, and how it compares to other options.
Read the guide →Is Debt Settlement Taxable? The 1099-C and What You'll Actually Owe
Settled debt of $600 or more is usually taxable income in the US. How the 1099-C works, when you might be exempt, and how it changes the settlement math.
Read the guide →How to Choose a Debt Settlement Company (Questions to Ask First)
How to evaluate a debt settlement company in the US before you enroll: the questions to ask, what a fair contract includes, and how to check their track record.
Read the guide →How to Spot a Debt Settlement Scam: Red Flags to Check First
The specific, checkable red flags of a predatory debt settlement company in the US, including illegal upfront fees, and how to verify a company before you sign up.
Read the guide →What Happens If Debt Settlement Doesn't Work Out?
What actually happens in the US if a settlement isn't reached, you drop out of a program, or a creditor sues before an account settles, and what your options are then.
Read the guide →The Debt Settlement Decision Worksheet
List every debt in one place, compare settlement, consolidation, counseling and DIY payoff side by side, and walk into any conversation, free or paid, already prepared.