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Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy

Debt Settlement vs Bankruptcy: Which is Right for You?

Dealing with overwhelming debt can feel scary and stressful. You may be struggling each month to make minimum payments, getting calls from creditors, or facing lawsuits over unpaid bills. At some point, you may start considering more serious debt relief options like debt settlement or bankruptcy to get out from under the crushing burden. But how do you know which option is right for you?

How Debt Settlement Works

Debt settlement involves working with a debt settlement company to negotiate down your total owed balances with creditors. The company will help you stop paying your unsecured debts temporarily so you can save up lump sums to offer creditors as negotiated payoff amounts. Here’s a quick rundown of the debt settlement process:

• You stop paying unsecured debts and instead make monthly contributions to a dedicated account. This helps you save up enough to make settlement offers.
• The settlement company negotiates with your creditors to reduce your balances. A creditor may accept $5,000 on a $15,000 balance, for example.
• Once enough is saved up, the funds are used to pay the settlement amounts creditors agree to. This satisfies the debts.

Debt settlement can seem ideal since balances get slashed significantly. However, it comes with major credit damage and risks:

• Your credit score can plummet 100 points or more. Accounts will become delinquent and may ultimately show “settled” statuses.
• Creditors can still sue you during settlement. Being sued means facing court judgments, wage garnishments, or bank account levies.
• There’s no guarantee how much debt will actually get settled. It depends on creditor willingness to negotiate.

So while settlement can eliminate debt, the credit impacts and legal risks make it a poor choice for many consumers.

How Bankruptcy Works

Declaring bankruptcy legally eliminates many types of debt under court protection. The most common bankruptcy filings are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Here’s an overview:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidating non-exempt assets to pay back creditors. Remaining discharged debts are eliminated.The Chapter 7 process includes:

• Filing a petition with a bankruptcy court
• Appearing at a meeting of creditors
• Potentially surrendering some assets for liquidation
• Getting most remaining debts legally eliminated

Chapter 7 has pros and cons to weigh:Pros

• Eliminates eligible debt completely
• Assets like retirement funds are protected
• The process takes just 3-6 months

Cons

• Assets could be liquidated, like a second car or vacation home
• Hurts credit for years with public records
• Can’t file again for 8 years

Chapter 7 works best if you have minimal assets or if surrendering property won’t create hardship. This allows eliminating debt fast.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy sets up 3-5 year debt repayment plans. You keep all property while making monthly payments to creditors through the court.The Chapter 13 process includes:

• Filing a proposed repayment plan
• Making payments over 3-5 years
• Getting remaining debt discharged after repayment

Like Chapter 7, Chapter 13 has pros and cons:Pros

• Keep all property like cars or homes
• Pause foreclosures and wage garnishments
• Consolidate debts into one payment

Cons

• Repayment plans take years to complete
• If payments lapse, case gets dismissed
• Plans can require substantial monthly contributions

Chapter 13 helps save assets while catching up on debt through time. But it involves years of court-managed payments.

Key Differences Between Debt Settlement and Bankruptcy

Debt settlement and bankruptcy offer very different debt relief solutions. Here are some of the biggest contrasts between the two options:

This table summarizes how debt settlement and bankruptcy compare across some major factors. The right option depends hugely on your specific financial situation and debt relief goals.

Questions to Ask When Deciding Between Debt Settlement and Bankruptcy

Choosing between debt settlement and bankruptcy involves weighing some key personal factors. Important questions to ask yourself include:

• What types of debt do I have? Debt settlement works for credit cards, personal loans, medical bills and other unsecured debts that can be negotiated. Student loans, taxes, alimony or child support don’t qualify. Bankruptcy eliminates more debt types, including medical bills and credit cards.
• What assets do I need to protect? Bankruptcy helps safeguard assets like homes and cars through exemption rules. Debt settlement provides no special protections. Losing assets may influence your decision.
• Can I afford the impacts of debt settlement? Missed payments wreck your credit while settling debts raises tax bills. If your finances are already tight, bankruptcy may be safer.
• Do I have other financial goals? Eliminating debts through Chapter 7 bankruptcy can help you start rebuilding credit and savings faster. Debt settlement keeps you repaying debts for years.

Analyzing personal factors helps determine whether settling debts or eliminating them via bankruptcy works better for your situation.

Getting Help Deciding Between Debt Relief Options

Trying to weigh debt settlement against bankruptcy on your own feels confusing and stressful. But you can get specialized guidance to point your situation toward the right debt solution. Here are some options to consider:

• Consult a nonprofit credit counselor. Reputable agencies like NFCC.org offer free consultations with certified counselors. They can review your full financial picture and explain pros, cons and alternatives.
• Discuss options with a bankruptcy attorney. Local bankruptcy lawyers offer initial case evaluations, often with no upfront fees. This gives professional opinions on the best debt relief choice.
• Compare settlement company proposals. Debt settlement companies provide free savings estimates. But also consult a neutral party, since settlements mainly benefit the company.

Getting professional advice helps ensure you understand everything debt settlement and bankruptcy involve. You can weigh how each option may impact your finances and life before deciding on the optimal debt relief strategy.

Key Takeaways on Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy

• Debt settlement reduces balances owed through negotiated lump sum payoffs. This saves money but wrecks credit and risks collections and lawsuits.
• Declaring bankruptcy legally eliminates debt under court protection. But it also causes credit damage and can involve losing assets.
• Important factors that shape decisions between the two options include assets, budgets, credit scores and more.
• Consulting credit counseling agencies, bankruptcy attorneys and settlement companies provides guidance on choosing the right debt relief path.

Facing overwhelming unsecured debts leaves consumers with difficult choices. But learning how programs like debt settlement and bankruptcy work can clarify the better option for each person’s financial situation. With professional help weighing the pros and cons of each, finding the right debt solution feels much less stressful.

Resources

Videos Explaining Debt Relief Options

• Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy – What’s the difference?
• The Pros & Cons Of Debt Settlement
• Pros and Cons of Bankruptcy

Articles Comparing Debt Settlement and Bankruptcy

• Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy: Which One Do You Qualify For?
• Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy: Which Is Best for Eliminating Debt?
• Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy: How to Decide