Questions, answered straight

We are a debt relief services provider that negotiates with creditors on behalf of clients with unsecured debt. We are not a law firm, a lender, or a credit repair organization. Before you enroll you receive written disclosure of our fees, the program's likely timeline, and its expected effect on your credit — and you can walk away at any point. You can also verify our licensing with your state attorney general's office.

About twenty minutes on the phone. We go through your balances, rates, and creditors, ask about your income and monthly obligations, and flag anything urgent such as a wage garnishment or collection deadline. You get a written summary of your realistic options within a business day or two. Nothing is enrolled and nothing is committed.

Unsecured debt: credit cards, personal loans, most collections accounts, and many medical bills. We generally cannot help with mortgages, auto loans, most student loans, tax debt, child support, or court-ordered obligations — and we'll tell you that on the first call rather than enrolling you anyway.

No, but settlement works best when payments are genuinely no longer sustainable. If you're current and coping, consolidation is usually the better path, and we'll say so.

For settlement, you pay nothing until a debt is actually settled and you have approved that settlement. Fees are a percentage of the enrolled debt and are disclosed in writing before you enroll. Consolidation loans may carry lender origination fees, which the lender discloses. You will see the full number before you decide anything.

No. Charging advance fees for debt settlement before a debt is resolved is prohibited under the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. If any company asks you to pay upfront for settlement, that is a red flag.

Into a dedicated account held in your name at a third-party bank. You own and control that money. Settlements are paid from it, and if you leave the program the remaining balance is yours.

Most likely yes, at least for a while. Settlement usually involves missed payments, which lower your score, and settled accounts are reported as settled rather than paid in full. Many clients see recovery as balances resolve and utilization drops. Consolidation generally has a much smaller impact. Your specialist will tell you honestly which effect applies to your path.

Negative marks generally remain on your report for up to seven years from the date of delinquency, though their weight fades over time. What matters more for future lending is the trend: resolved balances and on-time behavior going forward.

It will be difficult during settlement, and enrolling shortly before a planned home purchase is usually a mistake. If a major loan is on your horizon in the next twelve months, tell us — that changes our recommendation.

Most settlement programs run roughly 24 to 48 months, depending on your enrolled balances and how much you can deposit monthly. Consolidation loans follow the lender's term, typically 24 to 60 months. Payday loan consolidation is usually faster, around 6 to 18 months.

They may, especially in the early months. You can direct collectors to us. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you can also send a written request that a collector stop contacting you directly, and we'll show you how to do that.

Some do. Not all creditors settle and not all debts are eligible. If a creditor won't move, we'll tell you and discuss the alternatives for that specific account rather than leaving it in limbo.

Usually yes. Circumstances change. Adding a balance affects your deposit and timeline, and we'll model that with you before anything is adjusted.

Tell us before the date, not after. A missed deposit slows negotiations but is not the end of the program. We'd rather restructure your plan than watch you drop out of it.

It can be. The IRS may treat forgiven balances above a threshold as income and you could receive a 1099-C. An insolvency exception may apply in some cases. We are not tax advisors — talk to a CPA or enrolled agent about your situation before you enroll.

Not everywhere. Program availability, fees, and terms vary by state of residence. Our licensed-state list is published in the site footer — confirm your state before assuming eligibility.