How Long Does Debt Relief Take?

The amount of time it takes for debt relief depends on the particular relief option you choose. Debt settlement, for example, can allow you to pay off your debts in 24 to 36 months. Debt consolidation may take longer.

How Much Does Debt Relief Cost?

Each company charges different fees for debt relief. Typically, you can expect to pay 15% to 25% of the enrolled debt in the program. These fees are only charged after the completion of the program. Debt counseling costs $75+/hour, while monthly monitoring services are very affordable at $25-$50 per month.

Does Debt Relief Destroy Credit?

The impact of debt relief on your credit will depend on the kind of debt relief option you choose. For example, debt consolidation typically does not have much impact on your credit scores. Debt settlement, on the other hand, can negatively impact your credit. Settlement is, however, usually recommended for those who already have a poor score due to late fees and penalties and are at risk of bankruptcy.

How to Choose a Debt Settlement Company?

When selecting a debt settlement company to work with, avoid those that ask for upfront payments. Make sure you take the time to understand the company’s reputation and reviews, the services they offer, and the fees they charge. The company you choose should be transparent about its process and pricing.

Can I do DIY Debt Relief?

DIY debt relief requires persistence, time, and discipline. You will need to negotiate with creditors to settle your debts for less than your original amount. You will also need to save consistently and pay toward your settlement. While it is possible to do DIY debt relief, it can be time-consuming and stressful. There are several other options also available such as debt consolidation, which you can pursue if you prefer DIY debt relief. If you have fair credit, you may be able to get a low APR consolidation loan to pay off your existing debts.

What is Debt Consolidation?

With debt consolidation, you can take a new balance transfer credit card or a low-interest-rate personal loan to consolidate your existing debts. You can move your high-interest debts to a new loan with better terms. The goal of this process is to help you save money and make repayments easier.

What is Debt Settlement?

Debt settlement refers to the process of settling your debts for less than what you originally borrowed. It involves negotiating with lenders to agree upon a settlement amount. This lump sum payment will end your debt obligation. The remaining debt is forgiven or canceled. Debt settlement is a type of debt relief program offered by a lot of debt relief companies. These companies will handle all the details of the negotiations on your behalf, making it easier for you to pay off your debts.

What is the Difference Between Debt Consolidation and Debt Settlement?

With debt settlement, you will be settling your account for less than what you currently owe. Debt consolidation involves combining all your debts into a single balance transfer credit card or personal loan. You can then make a single payment each month at a low-interest rate. To qualify for debt consolidation loans, you will need a fair credit score.

Are Debt Relief Companies Legitimate?

Yes. Debt relief companies are legitimate, but you should still be wary of deceptive companies that make big claims and do not deliver. - Stay away from companies that: - Charge upfront fees before delivering any services. - Claim that they can eliminate all your debts. - Claim they can stop lawsuits and collection calls. - Advertise any new government programs for credit card debts.

Free Consultation

You Deserve a Fresh Start - Experts 24/7

Experts Available 24/7

Apply Now Apply Now

The 5 Best Debt Relief Companies in 2023

8 MIN READ

Published March 23, 2023 | Updated April 27, 2023

Expert Verified

Written by Priyanka Trivedi

Edited by Wes Silver

Reviewed by Teresa Dodson

Debt can help you buy your dream home, cover unexpected expenses and get a reliable mode of transportation. It can be a useful resource when used correctly.

But, when things go out of control, debt will make you feel overwhelmed and stressed. Fortunately, debt relief companies can help you take control of that debt.

Last year, over 18 million people were behind on their credit card payments. The average American is struggling with high-interest debt, rising inflation, and the shift in the economic landscape.

A reputed debt relief company can provide you with a way out of debt through debt resolution programs that are designed to suit your unique needs and circumstances.

Thankfully, there are many great organizations that can assist with debt relief today.

How Do Debt Relief Companies Work?

Debt relief companies may be able to help you avoid bankruptcy, tackle debt, lower interest rates and advise on how to get your credit back on track.

These companies use a combination of strategies such as debt consolidation, debt settlement, debt management plans, and credit counseling to help get you back on track financially.

If you are facing insurmountable debt, working with one of these companies may be your only way to regain control of the situation.

Each debt relief program works differently.

For example, in debt settlement, the company will negotiate with your debt collectors to lower the amount you owe.

Once your settlement offer is finalized, a separate savings account will be set up where you can make monthly payments. Once your settlement offer is reached, a debt relief company will then use those funds to pay your lenders for settlement.

One of the main benefits of working with a reputed company is that they can help you resolve debt faster and pay less overall.

For instance, when you enroll in a debt settlement program, you can save $2.64 for every $1 you pay in fees. Overall, you may be able to save up to 50% on your debt before fees.

Picking the right company to work with is not easy. There are so many options to choose from. Each company specializes in a different service.

The 5 Best Debt Relief Companies of 2023

Not all debt relief companies are the same. Some specialize in tax debts, while others may specialize in debt settlement. Here’s a list of the best debt relief companies in 2023 to help you find the best option for your unique situation.

1. Turbo Debt

TurboDebt is a Florida-based debt relief company that offers a wide variety of solutions to help you pay off your debt, regain control of your finances, and set you up in a position to be able to build new wealth.

TurboDebt is one of the best debt relief companies in the country. It has over 6,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and 2,200 reviews on its Google Business Page.

The company offers strategic planning, advising, and consulting services to examine your financial situation. It will help you find the best debt relief plan and pay off your debt in as little as 24 to 48 months. If you have a minimum debt of $10,000, you can enroll in the program offered by TurboDebt. Clients that stay with the program until completion can save approximately 46% on their debt before fees.

If you have any type of unsecured debt, such as credit card debt, tax debt, medical bills, or business debt, TurboDebt can negotiate with credit card companies, help you pay off your debt, and start with a clean slate. This gives you the opportunity to start building wealth again.

TurboDebt also has qualified credit counselors and offers a free consultation to help you get started.

2. National Debt Relief

National Debt Relief has over 13 years of experience in the industry and many positive reviews from satisfied clients. It is one of the best accredited debt settlement companies in the country, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

National Debt Relief offers a number of debt relief options for most unsecured debts, such as medical bills, lines of credit, late fees, personal loans, and credit cards. The company offers a free consultation to understand your financial situation and then creates an affordable plan that works for you.

Debt relief programs from the National Debt Relief can help you save approximately 38% on your debts. The company has experience in the debt settlement process, so it can help negotiate with most leading banks and credit card issuers.

3. Accredited Debt Relief

Accredited Debt Relief is a debt settlement company based in San Diego. The company has been offering debt solutions since 2011 and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

The company offers a variety of solutions, such as debt counselors, debt consolidation loans, balance transfer credit cards, debt settlement, and bankruptcy as a last resort.

While it can help you reduce unsecured debt, its debt settlement service does not cover mortgages, student loans, or tax debts.

If you have at least $7,500 in enrolled debt, Accredited Debt Relief may be able to help you reduce your overall debt and become debt free in 12 to 24 months. After a free consultation, you can enroll in a program. Clients that complete the program pay approximately 55% of their original debt. Fees are only collected after 100% success of the program.

4. Freedom Debt Relief

Freedom Debt Relief is based in California and has been in the industry since 2002. With hundreds of positive reviews, the company has a good track record for helping you settle unsecured debts.

The company offers debt settlement plans for unsecured debts such as medical debts and credit card debts. It also offers services for settling business debts and private student loans.

An important point to note is that the amount of debt you will need to qualify for their program is $7,500. Freedom Debt Relief offers a free debt evaluation and personalized assessment. The company also offers a program guarantee.

5. Community Tax

If you are specifically looking for tax debt relief services, you may want to consider Community Tax. The company was established in 2010, so it is relatively new, but it has good reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Community Tax offers a variety of tax services and can represent you in IRS negotiations, as per the company’s website. The tax professionals at Community Tax offer a free tax analysis to gather detailed financial information. Their programs are designed to not only resolve your current tax issues but to keep you debt free in the future.

Community Tax can also help you submit an offer in a compromise application to increase your likelihood of getting approved if you are facing financial hardship.

The company can also help you declare financial hardship with the IRS and assist you with tax assurance programs, payroll tax negotiations, and penalty abatements.

Final Thoughts on The Best Debt Relief Companies of 2023

All of the debt relief companies listed above are reputed, have excellent reviews and provide a number of services to help reduce and manage your debt.

When picking a company to work with, it is important to ensure that any credit counseling agency or debt relief company you choose provides legitimate debt relief programs, has good reviews, and has a track record of helping people in a similar situation.

Methodology

To find the five best debt relief companies, we analyzed over a dozen companies in the U.S. To rank these companies and narrow down the list, we focused on a number of criteria, such as:

Free Consultation: We gave preference to companies that offer a free initial consultation or a no-obligation counseling session with a consultant.
Customer Ratings: We considered the number of reviews and the ratings each company received from its customers on sites like Trustpilot.
Service Availability: To appear on this list, the services offered by the companies had to be widely available. We prioritized companies that offered widely available services in a number of states.
Proven Track Record: We compared each company based on their track record of helping clients settle their debts for less than they owe.
Digital Experience: We also evaluated the digital experience offered by each company based on their website.

After reviewing all of these features, we selected our recommendations for the top five debt relief companies with a proven track record of success and high customer ratings.