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The Role of Debt Restructuring Firms: Do You Need One?
The Role of Debt Restructuring Firms: Do You Need One?
Dealing with overwhelming debt can feel scary and confusing. Most people facing serious financial struggles ask themselves at some point, “Do I need professional help from a debt restructuring firm?”
This article will walk through what debt restructuring firms do, when you might want to work with one, what to look for when choosing a firm, and provide some guidance on DIY options if hiring a professional doesn’t make sense for your situation.
What Do Debt Restructuring Firms Do?
Debt restructuring firms help individuals and businesses negotiate, settle, and modify unmanageable debt obligations. Their services can include:
- Debt management plans – The firm works on your behalf to negotiate reduced interest rates, waived fees, and customized repayment plans with creditors.
- Debt consolidation – Multiple debts get rolled into a single loan, often with better terms.
- Debt settlement – Lump sum settlements are negotiated for less than the total owed. Usually requires stopping payments and allowing accounts to become delinquent.
- Bankruptcy filing assistance – Help preparing the complex paperwork to file and discharge all or some debt through bankruptcy.
The best firms have experience across multiple debt relief strategies and will explore all options to find the one most likely to resolve your situation.
When Should You Work With a Debt Restructuring Firm?
There are a few signs it may be time to get professional help:
- You owe $10,000 or more in unsecured debt (not counting mortgage)
- Your minimum payments exceed 50% of monthly income
- You rely on credit cards to pay living expenses
- Debt collector calls are a daily occurrence
- You’ve had an income disruption and missed payments
Or as one Redditor on r/personalfinance put it:
“If you’ve made mistakes with debt that have put you in a hole you can’t easily dig out of, don’t be afraid to ask for help from people with experience negotiating and restructuring debt.”
The most important factor is how overwhelmed and hopeless you feel about resolving debt on your own. The messier and more complicated your situation, the more a professional firm may be able to help.
What to Look For in a Debt Restructuring Firm
According to advice on Avvo and other legal advice websites, you should research a firm thoroughly before hiring them. Look for:
- Experience and credentials – Licensed attorneys and CPAs on staff with 5+ years specifically restructuring various types of consumer debt.
- Customized approach – Analyze your complete financial picture to create a tailored game plan.
- Reasonable fees – Fees should be clearly explained upfront and aligned to value delivered. Good firms offer free consultations.
- Proven results – Ask for case studies, client reviews, data on settlements achieved. Success depends heavily on their relationships and negotiation skills with specific creditors.
- Ongoing support – Full service to implement the debt repayment plan, not just a recommendation.
This thread on Reddit’s r/CreditCards has some additional tips on vetting debt settlement companies.
And as recommended on Avvo, avoid any firm that pressures you to sign up immediately, makes unrealistic promises about eliminating debt, or advises you to stop paying creditors altogether without a managed plan in place.
Should You Try Debt Restructuring on Your Own?
If your debt load isn’t overwhelming or you’re struggling but remaining current on payments, you may want to try:
- Calling creditors directly – Ask nicely for reduced rates or alternate payment plans. Sometimes even small concessions can make debt more manageable.
- Non-profit credit counseling – Reputable non-profits like NFCC offer free consultations and basic debt management plans for simple situations.
- DIY bankruptcy – Personal bankruptcy without an attorney is very challenging, but can be done with enough research. This post on Reddit covers pros/cons.
Just keep in mind – the more complex your financial baggage, the lower your odds of successfully negotiating settlements or restructuring agreements without professional guidance.
Key Takeaways
- Debt restructuring firms help negotiate and modify unmanageable debt through settlement, consolidation, management plans, or bankruptcy.
- Consider hiring a professional if you owe over $10K, payments exceed 50% of income, rely on credit cards to get by, or feel totally overwhelmed.
- Choose an experienced firm that offers customized plans, reasonable fees, proven results, and full service ongoing support.
- For simpler situations, try DIY options first like calling creditors or non-profit credit counseling.
- But the messier your debt baggage, the more value a pro can probably provide.