How Debt Settlement Agencies Work With You In Brooks, Maine
Are you looking to avoid bankruptcy but not sure how? If you have enough debt and financial hardship to be considering filing bankruptcy, contact a debt settlement company in Brooks, Maine, maybe within your best interest. It can be a much better choice as the company helps negotiate agreements, often resulting in you owing up to 60% less.
How to Settle Debt For Less In Brooks, Maine
Are you in tons of debt? Do you think bankruptcy is your only way out? With debt settlement, you can get your debts paid off in a much quicker time frame, often for a fraction of what’s owed. If you’re being harassed by a collection agency, a debt settlement company may be able to lower your debts by up to 80%.
All debt settlement companies will claim to lower your debt, but the amount they can get it down is based on their ability to negotiate a deal with each creditor. Because of this, you want to choose one that has a great track record and the experience to have an idea of what you will end up paying and the length of repayment. There are ways to find a reputable debt settlement agency; one is checking their association with the AFCC (American Fair Credit Council). We’ll cover more on how to find trusted agencies later.
What Debt Settlement Can Do For You
Consumers are choosing to settle debts to get back to financial freedom, from falling behind on credit cards to personal or business loans that have you struggling to keep up. Debt settlement offers the ability to avoid bankruptcy while giving you a slightly better solution. The biggest reason settling debt is better is because, eventually, it does go away. Bankruptcy will tarnish your record for years longer and stay on your report forever.
The consequence of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy is horrible. It claims to be off your record after 10 years, but the truth is, it will always show up on your credit reports. This can cause you to be turned down for loans, credit cards, and even employment in the future. If you lie about having filed for bankruptcy, you can get into a lot of trouble, lose your job, or even go to jail for fraud.
When settling debts with the creditors you owe, you avoid consumer bankruptcy. Settling should not be considered as a first option because it too has disadvantages, but as a last-ditch effort to avoid bankruptcy, it’s worthwhile.
When it comes to debt settlement appearing on your record, creditors and employers are not as biased against it. It shows you attempted to find a win-win situation for all parties involved in a time of struggle and desperation. Also, it is removed after 7 years and is no longer visible on credit reports. That means you only have to answer questions about it for that 7 years, not forever.
Creditors are away of the economic struggle that has hit many people in recent years. That is why a debt settlement company is likely to work out 40% or more of your total debt balance. That is the 2nd reason so many people are choosing debt settlement.
Does Debt Settlement Cheat Creditors?
This is another common misbelief that creditors are being ripped off when you settle debt with them. However, that is not the point of this debt relief solution. Instead, it allows a way for consumers to do the best they can to repay creditors based on their current means to do so; that way, creditors do not simply lose out completely.
Chances are, when consumers are looking into debt settlement, they are at the point bankruptcy looks like the only way to go. It is a last-chance approach to a bad situation. By the time you calculate the amount you’ve already paid to creditors through interest and service fees, on top of the principal amount, it is possible they have already received what you originally owed.
When you file for bankruptcy, the process works by selling off any valuable assets you may have, including personal items that you may not want to part with. There are very few exemptions to this, and if you have already sold most of your valuable assets trying to stay above water, creditors may not get anything. The reason is that with bankruptcy, your debts are paid off from the proceeds of selling your assets.
Get Out Of Debt Sooner
When you owe credit cards, your statement will usually show the payoff amount for making the minimum payment, possibly with a couple other calculations. If you owe a large amount, that calculation can show 5, 10, or even 20 years to pay off! This can seem like you’ll never get out of debt, but that is where debt settlement helps.
When the settlement starts and your ability to successfully lower the total amount by 20%, 40%, or more, drastically lower your minimum payment amount. Some get out of debt within just 12 months, but the average is 2 to 4 years.
Managing Finances Gets Easier
Because a successful debt settlement will consolidate all your bills into a single payment, you no longer have to keep up with several or dozens of different bills each month. Instead, you have a single payment with a set amount. Knowing that you will owe a certain amount each month sounds like a small benefit, but for many, it can provide emotional relief.
What About Credit Cards?
Did you know that with a debt settlement, you could be allowed to keep your credit card accounts open and even use it when needed? Unless the terms specifically state you must not use a credit card, they usually remain open. Of course, using your credit card is not recommended because you’re trying to get out of debt.
However, it can provide additional emotional relief, knowing that you have a backup for emergencies until you can build a nest egg. Also, having credit card accounts can be beneficial to your credit score, as closing them reduces your open credit line and increases utilization ratios.
Cost of Debt Settlement in Brooks, Maine
Each debt settlement company will have different fees and services. They are not required to charge the same amount. However, the average costs will be a small upfront charge for the application process, and then once settled, a percentage of the total debt, or the settled debt.
Always ask about the service fees and what is included. If you can, choose one that charges a percentage of the settled debt instead of the full debt balance. That means they will work harder to get you the lowest deal possible because the more they can get it reduced, the more they make on the backend.
For example, if they charge 20% based on the total debt and you owe $100,000, that is $20,000, regardless of how low they can reduce your overall debt. The debt settlement company may not work as hard on your behalf because they charge the same either way.
If the agency charges 20% based on the settled amount, and they can lower it by 40%, their fee would be 20% of $40,000 ($8,000). Whereas, if they reduce your debt by 60%, the fee would be 20% of $60,000 ($12,000).
Keep in mind, regardless if they can save you 20% or 60%, the longer your payment period, the lower your monthly payment will be, but the more interest you will pay over time. This can be a good option if you’re in a tight situation now, then try to pay it off faster later. However, if you’re financial situation allows, it is always best not to go with the lowest monthly payment to reduce the number of overall payments and save on interest.
Is Debt Settlement Worth It?
In the short term, debt settlement does damage your credit, but over time it will be a much better option than bankruptcy. Many find themselves getting out of debt within just a year, and most will be out of debt within just 2 or 3 years. Many companies will also keep in touch to ensure you’re aware you are not alone in getting back on track.
Additionally, if debt settlement can lower your overall balance by 50%, the 10% to 20% service fee will still be worth it. It still saves you a large chunk of debt, consolidates multiple bills into a single payment to manage, and making payments on time helps rebuild good credit time.
Finding A Debt Settlement Company In Brooks, Maine
Contact your state’s Attorney General’s office and ask if the debt settlement company you’re interested in has any official complaints against them. Doing your research is important to ensure you choose a service provider that will work in your best interest.
Find out what type of company they are. What do they charge, what services do they offer, what repayment terms will they offer, and is the upfront cost reasonable? Stay away from those that ask for an excessive upfront charge.
When you’re searching for contact methods, look for those that offer multiple options. It is always best to do the first meeting in person, as this helps create that human connection you can’t get over the phone or online. After you have got a feel for the company or entered an agreement, having the ability to pay online or over the phone is always helpful.
Be careful with non-profit organizations. They may advertise behind the label but still include excessive charges or hidden fees in the monthly payment. Things such as maintenance fees, setup charges, etc. can be techniques used by some debt settlement companies to pad the monthly payment to make more off you.
Look into testimonials online regarding the company you are looking into. What type of negative feedback have you found? Don’t just look at the positive; always consider the negative.
