subject: Debt Counseling and Debt Relief - Find a Strong Debt Counselor to Help With Your Case [print this page] Debt Counseling and Debt Relief - Find a Strong Debt Counselor to Help With Your Case
If you've thought about settling your financial problems once and for all and living a debt free life, debt relief through debt counseling is a viable choice that will have you back on your feet in no time.
Your first step to finding a good counseling agency is to make sure they're a member of National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Credit Counseling Agencies. Make sure to check out their background with Better Business Bureau and see if they've received any complaints from past customers. There have been cases where consumers ended up with more debt after counseling or they were dragged into a lengthy debt management plan when the alternative could have been something as simple as a workable budget.
You can also check with your state attorney general's office to see if there are any pending legal investigations against them. Be cautious of agencies that claim they're non-profit, as most of these could "persuade" you to make a donation to their cause or charge hidden fees. Offering their services for free doesn't necessarily mean they'll do a good job for you.
A strong counselor will carefully analyze your financial situation and then present you with your the best option for debt relief. They can re-negotiate loan terms and interest rates with your creditors, and will openly discuss their fees with you or tell you more about the services they offer. Be wary of counselors that rush their decisions or that pressure you into quick decisions. You will only end up in more debt than when you started.
Whether through debt management plans or something just as simple as financial advice, a good debt counselor can help you a great deal with your debt difficulties.
Debt settlement is a viable alternative to filing bankruptcy. Most consumers are able to eliminate at least 60% of their unsecured debt while avoiding many of the negative consequences with filing bankruptcy. If you are over $10k in unsecured debt you will be eligible for debt settlement. To locate legitimate debt settlement companies in your state check out the following link:
