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EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

Understand the difference. Choose with more clarity.

Debt relief is an umbrella term. Compare what each route changes, what it may cost and what could go wrong.

Select 2–3 to compare

Debt settlement

Negotiate what you owe

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

Unsecured debt you cannot realistically repay in full, with money available to fund possible settlements.

COSTS TO COMPARE

Company fees, account costs and potential taxes

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Debt management

Make repayment more manageable

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

You could repay principal if interest or payment terms became more manageable.

COSTS TO COMPARE

Ask about setup and monthly agency fees

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Debt consolidation

Replace several debts with one loan

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

You can qualify for better overall terms and afford the new payment.

COSTS TO COMPARE

APR, origination fees and total repayment

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Creditor hardship

Ask for a change in your terms

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

A job loss, illness or other disruption makes your current payment difficult.

COSTS TO COMPARE

Ask what happens to interest and existing fees

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Medical bill help

Resolve the bill before financing it

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

A medical charge is unclear, disputed or more than you can afford.

COSTS TO COMPARE

Provider terms or any advocate’s fee

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Tax debt options

Work through tax-specific options

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

You owe federal taxes, received an IRS notice or cannot pay the balance in full.

COSTS TO COMPARE

IRS charges and any professional fees

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Business debt

Review the contract and cash flow

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

Your business is struggling with loans, credit lines or merchant cash advances.

COSTS TO COMPARE

Contract costs and adviser or attorney fees

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Bankruptcy consultation

Understand court-supervised relief

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

Repayment appears unrealistic or legal collection actions need closer attention.

COSTS TO COMPARE

Attorney, filing and required-process costs

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Homeowner debt help

Keep mortgage and unsecured debt separate

MAY BE WORTH EXPLORING IF

You are behind on a mortgage, worried about your next payment, or considering home equity to repay other debt.

COSTS TO COMPARE

Mortgage arrangement costs, new-loan fees or adviser fees

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General routes, not provider offers or eligibility decisions. Order is not a ranking. See our sources and approach ↗

Still finding your starting point?

A few questions can help you decide which conversations are worth having.

Find my options

What’s on your mind?

Good places to start

Choosing a company ↗Calling a creditor ↗A debt lawsuit ↗

THE TRADEOFFS, SIDE BY SIDE

Make an informed comparison.