Debt Settlement in Bonita-Springs, Florida
You are going to learn things about debt settlement services you may not have known before. It is crucial for you to know this information so that you never make the mistake of filing for bankruptcy and to know when the best time to sign-up with a debt settlement company is.
Debt settlement usually begins due to some type of emergency, and payments have to be put off. Eventually, the payments have been put off for a period of time until their debt has become a problem.
What Does Debt Settlement in Bonita-Springs, Florida, Provide to Their Clients?
- A debt settlement company is usually able to get your total amount of credit owed reduced between 40 and 60%. This depends on how the negotiations go with the creditors. Creditors prefer debt settlement over bankruptcy, for they know if the client files for bankruptcy, the chance of them receiving any of what is owed them is slim.
- They do the work for you so that you do not have to deal with the lenders or creditors yourself.
- Debt settlement helps with lowering your interest rate, thus, lowering your monthly payment.
Why Do People Prefer Debt Settlement Over Bankruptcy?
Bank settlement looks better on your credit report than bankruptcy, for one thing. A few of the other reasons would be that bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, and even after that, it will follow you around the rest of your life. Every time you fill out an application, it does not matter if it is for a loan, credit card, personal loan, or even for employment; it is going to ask if you have ever filed for bankruptcy before. Sure, you could just say no, but they do check this out, and when (not if, but when) you get caught, it just makes things worse. For when you are caught, you will be charged with fraud, have a fine to pay, and possibly do jail time. Not to mention losing out on the job!
If you go with debt settlement, you can get out of having to talk with your creditors, as the debt settlement services do that for you. They take care of everything from making any negotiations to handling your monthly installments. This way, you only have to deal with one monthly payment for the debt settlement services that take care of all your debts. That is correct, you make only one monthly installment, and the debt settlement company takes care of all your creditors and collectors.
The Pros and Cons of Debt Settlement
The Pros:
- Because they know how to talk with creditors and collectors, they are able to negotiate good deals for you. The debt settlement services know what the creditors are going to expect and just how to get what they want from them. Face it; they are experts!
- Depending on how much your debt is and how many different debts you have, your monthly installments will be lowered and paid directly to the debt settlement company and put into an escrow belonging to you.
The cons:
- Selecting the debt settlement company should be done carefully, and research each one individually to try to avoid a company that is only a scam!
- They will charge a small fee for their facilitation services.
A Settled Debt Is Seen as Income/You Must Pay Taxes on It!
You should know ahead of time that you may have to pay taxes on your debt settlement once it has been settled. This happens after the debt is settled and the creditors and/or collectors report to the IRS that it has been settled. It then becomes income on your part, and it needs to go on your tax return. If you receive a 1099-C from your creditor(s), you need to file this with your tax returns for the year for which the 1099-C is for. Keep in mind that the creditor(s) have also sent a copy of the 1099-C to the IRS.
How Much Will My Total Cost Be for Debt Settlement Services?
Debt settlement companies charge in one of two ways: (1) They can take a percentage of the debt you initially enrolled with. (2) They can take a percentage of the total they helped you save through their process. However, the first way does not leave room for the debt company to have the incentive to do the best on their part.
On the other hand, if their fees are based on a percentage of the total they save you throughout the program, they are going to automatically have the incentive to work harder for you since the amount they get depends on their performance.
If you find a good debt settlement company with a successful reputation, they should be able to save you between 40% and 60% of the total amount of debt you enrolled with. For example, if you initially enrolled with a debt of $50,000, and a settlement of 50% was negotiated or $25,000, and they want 20% of the savings, the fees for the debt settlement company would come to $5,000.
How Does Debt Settlement Work?
A debt settlement company will take all the information you give them, such as all the collectors and creditors that you owe, and review and study that information to come up with alternatives to negotiate with your collectors and creditors. They will do all the hard work for you by speaking to them and coming up with an agreed amount that is lower than what you owe to pay back. Prior to any agreement with your creditors and collectors, you will have the opportunity to approve or disapprove it.
Since the debt settlement services do the work for you, it rules out debt collectors and creditors calling and pestering you, which is a plus! You can sometimes find a debt settlement company that is willing to help you to repair your credit once the settlement is over. Also, help you with filing bankruptcy just in case the creditors refuse to accept their offers.
However, the creditors are fully aware that time is running out because the debt is getting closer to charge-off status. At this point, collectors and creditors alike realize they usually do not stand a chance of retrieving any of their funds should the debtor file bankruptcy. This makes them more than happy to hear from a debt settlement company because they know they will at least be able to get some of the funds back.
Of course, the debt settlement company will study all the information and review where it will take you and them both, occasionally, after measuring all the information against the tax liabilities, fees, and the amount of damage that will impact the debtor’s credit profile, they take the resulting factors into consideration, and it could end up with them telling you a debt settlement would not be worth it, period!
You want to find a debt settlement company that stands out in these three categories: excellence in quality, pricing, and a great reputation!
They May Ask for Collateral
The debt settlement loan they give to you for paying off your creditors may mean you will have to have something to put up for collateral. Most people end up using either a vehicle or their home for the collateral needed. However, should anything happen that you are not able to keep up with the monthly installments, you risk forfeiting your property.
Collateral is generally a requirement to get a loan. It is expected for the collectors and creditors to want something to reassure them that they are going to either get some of their money back or they get your property. You brought this on yourself, so it is fair.
Be sure to Search for Hidden Costs in Advance
If you are not careful and do your homework, the end results could end up with you putting out more money than expected. Although having a much lower monthly payment and rates can be appealing, debt settlement may turn out to cost you more money. This can result if you accept an extension either in the beginning or if they ask you later down the road by telling you if you accept longer to pay, your monthly payments will be even smaller. A lengthy repayment time period may mean it is costing you more.
Consider the Following Before Signing with A Debt Settlement Company in Bonita-Springs, Florida:
Contact your state’s Attorney General and also your local Consumer Protection Agency prior to selecting a company. They will be able to tell you if each individual company you are interested in has any grievances registered with them and/or any complaints.
Your homework should include:
The amount of time it will take, the amount you are going to be charged, and the kinds of services they are going to be providing. Do not give a second thought to companies that ask for large upfront charges. Also, find out the amount you are going to be investing in them.
It is best to work with a company that is willing to see you in person. The best company will be one that offers support over the telephone, in person, and online. It is always helpful if you can speak to a professional and not just one of those phone advisors. Do not fall for non-profit status in their title, as this is sometimes used to make you think something is going to be free or inexpensive, including being authentic.
The truth is that there are some debt settlement companies that charge extremely high rates while they are trying to cover it up.
