Debt settlements are a possible way for borrowers to resolve a default or delinquency on a loan account. A debt settlement is when your lender or creditor agrees to settle your debt on modified terms. Such loan modifications may allow you to settle your debt for less than what you owe.
Borrowers who default on a loan agreement may seek relief through debt settlement. You can negotiate a debt settlement agreement with your lender directly, or you may consider paying a debt relief company to pursue debt settlement on your behalf.
Debt settlement may involve debt forgiveness, which may qualify as taxable income if the lender forgave or canceled $600 of your debt or more. A lender, for example, could forgive 50% of a borrower’s $6,000 personal loan debt if the borrower agrees to pay $100 per month until repaying the modified balance in full. Below we highlight when debt settlement might make sense.
Related: Using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
1. Private Negotiations
Borrowers can contact their lender or creditor directly and request a settlement to resolve any matters of default or late-stage delinquency. Borrowers may contact their lender by telephone to negotiate for a possible debt settlement agreement. Failing to pay and defaulting on a personal loan can have a major impact on your credit score.
Debt settlement can potentially allow delinquent borrowers to settle their debts for less than what they owe. A private lender may offer debt settlement to minimize any losses they may incur when borrowers default and go months without paying.
Lenders have no obligation to offer debt settlement, but lenders in some cases may agree to resolve a borrower’s delinquency with a debt settlement agreement. A borrower may request private negotiations at any time to request a debt settlement.
Lenders may file civil lawsuits against borrowers who fail to make required payments on a loan. If you default on a personal loan and get sued for breach of contract, you may still have the option to reach a debt settlement agreement to resolve the dispute amicably.
Image Credit: Milkos.
2. Hire Debt Settlement Company
Borrowers can hire a debt settlement company to resolve any matters of default or late-stage delinquency. Borrowers may contact a debt settlement company by telephone or email requesting enrollment into the company’s debt settlement program. A debt settlement company may advocate on your behalf to persuade a lender or creditor to settle your debt amicably.
Lenders and creditors may offer debt settlements to minimize any losses they may incur when borrowers default and go months without making required payments. As mentioned earlier, debt settlement can potentially allow delinquent borrowers to settle their debts for less than what they owe.
A debt settlement company may offer services allowing you to set aside a certain amount of funds in a special savings account. The amount of money you set aside each month in a debt settlement program may ultimately go toward settling your debt with a creditor.
A debt settlement company can negotiate on your behalf with your creditor. The debt settlement company may dedicate its time and resources to help negotiate the best debt settlement agreement for you. Lenders, of course, have no obligation to sign a debt settlement agreement. In the event of default, a lender may pursue legal action against you if the lender is unwilling to settle your debt amicably.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
When Might Debt Settlement Make Sense?
Debt settlement might make sense for you if you’re experiencing financial hardship and find yourself in deep delinquency. If you cannot afford a monthly payment on a loan agreement and find yourself in default, debt settlement may represent a possible path toward rebuilding your credit history.
Borrowers who default on a loan and enter into late-stage delinquency may consider debt settlement vs. bankruptcy. Your credit score could drop if lenders report your loan account to credit bureaus as settled for less than the amount originally owed. Bankruptcy filings, however, can also damage your credit score and may linger on your credit report for up to 10 years as a derogatory event.
Debt settlement can include some amount of debt forgiveness and may give borrowers more time to repay a debt at a lower monthly cost. The IRS in some cases may consider debt forgiveness to be taxable income if the lender forgave or canceled $600 or more of your outstanding loan debt. Debt settlement might not make sense if it results in a massive tax liability.
Image Credit: Damir Khabirov / iStock.
Debt Settlement Percentage
Debt settlement in some cases may result in a creditor reducing a borrower’s outstanding principal balance by up to 60%. Creditors may be willing to forgive a substantial amount of principal to minimize losses from a borrower who may otherwise file for bankruptcy.
Banks, credit unions, and private lenders of personal loans may agree to debt settlement as a possible resolution to delinquency. A personal loan is a lump sum of money that borrowers must generally repay over a set period.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
Personal Loan Benefits
Lenders may offer personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. Your credit score and debt-to-income ratio may impact how much of a personal loan you can get from a lender. Defaulting on a personal loan can have a major impact on your credit score, while repaying your loan in good standing can bolster your credit history.
Here are some of the personal loan benefits borrowers can experience:
- Borrowers can get an unsecured personal loan with no collateral
- Expecting mothers can use personal loans as a maternity leave loan
- The basic way how personal loans work is borrowers receive a lump sum of cash and have wide discretion on how to use the funds
Among the advantages and disadvantages of personal loans are that they can help you build credit but may feature high rates of interest.
Image Credit: istockphoto/demaerre.
Debt Settlement Pros
Below we highlight some of the pros of debt settlement:
- Avoid Bankruptcy: Debt settlement can help delinquent borrowers jumpstart the process of rebuilding their credit histories without filing for bankruptcy. U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges can sign orders discharging most of a borrower’s debts, but bankruptcy may also have a major negative impact on a borrower’s credit score. It can be harder to qualify for loans after bankruptcy.
- Avoid Being Sued: Debt settlement negotiations may persuade lenders to work toward an amicable settlement rather than suing delinquent borrowers for breach of contract. Settling debt outside of court can provide you with some relief without involving a judge or jury. Defaulting on a loan and getting sued for breach of contract can result in a judge ordering your wages to be garnished.
- No Collections: You may avoid or eliminate debt collection calls by reaching a debt settlement agreement with your creditor. Reaching a debt settlement agreement and honoring its terms and conditions would settle that account. No collections activity would take place once an account is settled via loan modification and paid.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
Debt Settlement Cons
Below, we highlight some of the cons of debt settlement:
- Deposits: You may need to deposit a certain amount of savings into a savings account for several years if you hire a debt settlement company to settle your debt. Such deposits may represent a financial hardship to borrowers facing economic difficulties.
- No Obligation: A borrower may request debt settlement relief, but a lender has no obligation to oblige. Lenders may reject calls for debt settlement and may pursue legal action seeking full compensation from delinquent borrowers. Victims of predatory lending may fall into a cycle of debt that predatory lenders may not want to settle.
- Credit Score: Your credit score may plunge if lenders report your loan account to credit bureaus as settled for less than the amount originally owed. Having a lower credit score can make it harder for you to qualify for new extensions of credit from a bank or credit union.
Image Credit: istockphoto/RossHelen.
Debt Settlement vs Bankruptcy
This table compares debt settlement vs. bankruptcy.
Image Credit: Lantern Credit / SoFi.
The Takeaway
Debt settlement may provide delinquent borrowers with some relief. A debt settlement agreement can also have a negative impact on your credit score. Consumers may want to consider the costs and terms before borrowing money and taking on new debt.
Learn More:
This article originally appeared on LanternCredit.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website on credit (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/credit-and-loans)
Image Credit: Atstock Productions / iStock.
More from MediaFeed
What happens to your debt when you die?
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
