Turbo Takeaways
- Many Floridians struggle to cover monthly expenses as rising consumer debt strains household budgets.
- The state sees especially high credit card balances, making debt relief programs increasingly important.
- Proven options like debt settlement and consolidation offer realistic ways for Floridians to regain control.
Your Options To Get Out of Debt in Florida
Floridians carry some of the largest share of debt in the U.S., leaving many struggling to cover monthly expenses or borrowing money just to pay off credit card balances.
Learning more about Florida’s top debt relief programs, such as debt settlement, debt consolidation, and debt management plans, prepares you to make wise financial decisions that can change your future.
Floridians have some of the highest consumer debt in the nation, causing many households to depend on credit cards just to get by. When balances grow faster than income, finding relief becomes crucial. Florida debt relief programs can help break the cycle and restore financial stability.
Credit Counseling
Sunshine State residents can opt to learn more about debt relief and money management through a credit counseling agency before planning to pay off huge balances.
How It Works
Most credit counseling services operate as nonprofit agencies that specialize in financial education. While they don’t clear debt for Sunshine State residents, credit counseling advisors do offer guidelines on how to overcome monetary hardship.
Pros
- Provides low-cost or no-cost education and financial guidance
- Helps residents understand debt relief options before choosing a program
- Nonprofit agencies focus on financial literacy, not selling products
Cons
- Does not reduce or eliminate existing debt
- Not a repayment solution on its own
- Fees may apply depending on the program
Cost
Many credit counseling agencies offer low or no-cost services for those facing financial hardship. Fees are typically nominal when enrolling in a program.
Stats
- While the total number of consumers using credit counseling has remained steady across the nation, the number of consumers using debt settlement companies has increased in recent years.
Resources
Florida’s Attorney General explains the benefits and offers tips on choosing a credit counseling service.
Debt Management Programs
Florida residents use debt management services to organize their monthly payments through a private or nonprofit organization.
How It Works
Florida’s debt management plans (DMPs) allow Sunshine State residents to restructure debts into a single repayment each month instead of trying to keep track of multiple bills.
Pros
- Can lower interest payments through structured repayment
- Simplifies budgeting with one monthly payment
Cons
- Often requires closing existing credit accounts
- Monthly fees apply per account in the plan
Costs
You’ll typically pay an enrollment fee and a monthly surcharge for every account on your plan.
Stats
- DMPs can help Floridians effectively manage some student loan debts.
- The average Floridian owes $39,262 in federal student loan debt.
Resources
Discover the pros and cons of debt management programs to see how they might fit your unique situation.
Debt Consolidation
Consolidating debt is a viable option for consumers with fair to good credit, allowing consumers to eliminate multiple high-interest payments in favor of a single balance.
How It Works
Consolidating debt involves moving all your outstanding bills to a single source to repay them, whether it’s a loan or a balance transfer.
Florida's debt consolidation options, including cities like Miami, vary depending on your credit score and the chosen method of consolidation.
Pros
- Reorganizes multiple debts into one structured payment
- Can simplify payoff with a fixed term and predictable schedule
- Zero-interest balance transfer cards offer short-term interest relief
Cons
- Total interest increases if the loan isn’t repaid quickly
- Remaining balance after promo periods faces the card’s standard APR
- Access to good rates depends heavily on your credit score
Cost
If you opt for a debt consolidation loan, you’ll take out enough funds to cover all the debts you want to consolidate.
Choosing a zero-interest balance transfer credit card costs you nothing unless you fail to pay off your balance within the specified timeline. Any balance left over after your promotional period is subject to your card’s standard annual percentage rate (APR).
Stats
- Orlando, Florida, ranks 9th among U.S. cities with the biggest increase in personal loan debt in 2024.
- Zero-balance transfer rates typically last between 6 and 18 months.
Resources
While the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau doesn’t facilitate debt consolidation services, it offers transparent advice about the pros and cons of this option.
Debt Settlement
Negotiating with creditors to settle debt can reduce your total balance and the amount of time it takes to pay everything off.
How It Works
Debt settlement organizations in Florida negotiate debt reductions on behalf of their clients.
While similar services exist across the U.S., any company operating in the Sunshine State must follow Florida consumer protection laws.
Pros
- Can significantly reduce the total balance owed
- Often shortens the payoff timeline for large unsecured debts
- Florida-specific consumer protection laws add an extra layer of oversight
Cons
- Can negatively impact credit score during the process
- Fees are applicable but payable only after settlement.
Cost
Legitimate debt settlement companies don’t charge any upfront fees. Instead, they’ll charge you a set fee (usually 15-25%) of your total enrolled debt once you’ve settled your balances with creditors.
Stats
- One of the biggest types of settled debt comes from credit card balances.
- Florida residents carry an average credit card debt of $9,094, making Sunshine State citizens the 5th highest in the nation.
Resources
Florida’s Consumer Protection Division offers scam alerts to help keep consumers safe when dealing with debt relief organizations.
Bankruptcy
Floridians with heavy debt loads sometimes file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy as a debt relief solution.
How It Works
Although bankruptcy laws are enacted and enforced by the federal government, each judicial district has its own bankruptcy court with localized rules.
Florida is broken into the Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court, the Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court, and the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court, with headquarters in major cities throughout the state.
Pros
- Can eliminate or restructure most unsecured debts
- Provides legal protection and a defined path to resolution
Cons
- May require selling assets depending on the filing
- Affects credit for up to ten years
- Costs usually include attorney fees and court-related expenses
Costs
If you file on your own, you’ll pay court fees plus whatever payments the judge rules in your case. Filing with a bankruptcy attorney means you’ll pay for their services plus court-ordered debt payments and fees.
Stats
- A total of 35,569 Floridians filed for bankruptcy (PDF) in 2024.
- Bankruptcy cases increased 31% from the previous year in Florida's Middle District.
Resources
Continue reading to find out what you can and cannot do after filing for bankruptcy.
What You Need to Know About Debt in Florida
Statute of Limitations on Debt Collections in Florida
The statute of limitations in each state protects consumers from creditors who want to pursue legal action years after a debt becomes collectible.
Although you can’t go to jail for outstanding debts, creditors or debt collectors can add collections to your credit report and contact you for repayment. They can also take legal action to enforce a debt within a certain time period.
Debt collectors are responsible for adhering to all Florida statutes governing consumer debt collections, including registering with the state and communicating clearly and respectfully with debtors.
Florida regulations require debt collectors to provide written notice of any debt in collections within five days of contacting you.
The statute of limitations on debt collections in Florida includes the following:
| Type of Debt Agreement | Length of Time Collectible |
|---|---|
| Written Contracts | 5 years |
| Promissory Notes | 5 years |
| Open-Ended Accounts | 4 years |
| Oral Agreements | 4 years |
Statute of Limitations on Medical Debt in Florida
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation reducing the statute of limitations on medical debt to three years, making the law more favorable to consumers.
The unanimously approved legislative bill, titled “Transparency in Health and Human Services,” adds patient protections in disclosing and collecting medical bills while reducing the amount of time debt collectors can pursue patients for medical bills.
Credit Card Forgiveness in Florida
While the State of Florida doesn’t provide credit card forgiveness, Sunshine State residents can pursue debt relief services such as debt settlement to reduce large balances from credit cards.
Student Loan Forgiveness in Florida
Florida offers the Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying residents. Applicants must be employed as licensed nurses, carry student loans for nursing programs, and work in specified high-needs areas.
Floridians may also qualify for federal student loan forgiveness programs.
“Specific student loan forgiveness is available to Floridians carrying $12,000 or less in balances who have made student loan payments for at least 10 years,” explains Brad Reichert, founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management LLC.
“In February of 2024, the federal Department of Education introduced the SAVE plan, an income-driven repayment option designed to assist low and middle-income borrowers,” shares Reichert.
Government Debt Relief Programs in Florida
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government offered financial aid to combat unemployment and other challenges. Florida’s stimulus check program helped Sunshine State residents weather the storm of economic uncertainty.
While there are currently no more stimulus funds available in Florida, residents can apply for state and federal programs designed to offer emergency assistance.
Resources for Financial Assistance in Florida
Floridians in need of immediate help can apply for financial assistance through state and federal programs. Here’s a list of some available options:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): The SNAP program provides food assistance for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): The WIC program provides healthy food assistance and support for mothers and their children.
- Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA): This program provides cash for pregnant women and families with children up to 19 years of age. TCA also assists family members acting as caregivers for kids aged birth to 17 by providing a monthly stipend.
- Florida KidCare: Florida offers low or no-cost health and dental insurance options for children up to age 18 through the KidCare program.
Some residents turn to payday loans in Florida for quick cash during financial struggles. Nonetheless, these types of loans can quickly spiral out of control if not handled carefully.
Get Professional Help Paying Off Your Debt
Seeking professional debt relief help is an effective solution for dealing with heavy burdens from unsecured debts.
Financial expert Brad Reichert recommends that debtors seek referrals from trusted sources, such as friends, family, or financial professionals who have had positive experiences with debt relief organizations in Florida. He adds, “Their recommendations can provide valuable insights and help you find reputable options.”
If you’re struggling with unsustainable debt from sources like credit cards, medical bills, or personal loans, TurboDebt® offers debt relief services for Sunshine State residents.
Over 5,000 Floridians have enrolled, breaking the debt cycle and regaining financial freedom by paying off thousands of dollars in unsecured debts.
Here are more reasons TurboDebt benefits Floridians with financial burdens:
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Programs that save clients an average of 50% of their total debt
- Affordable payment plans that help clients get out of debt faster
- Thousands of positive TurboDebt reviews on Trustpilot and Google
Contact TurboDebt today for a free consultation. It only takes a few minutes to discover if you qualify for debt relief services and find out more about your options.