Difference Between Bankruptcy and Debt Settlement

If you are looking for a debt relief program that will provide the most reduction on your debt, your options include debt settlement and bankruptcy. Both of them are effective in their own right. The thing about any type of debt relief program is you have to know our financial capabilities first before you opt for any of them. Believe it or not, there is a program for your unique situation.

Assuming that you want most of your debt forgiven, let us analyze bankruptcy and debt settlement so you can determine which one is best for your specific debt condition.

Bankruptcy is something that you file in a bankruptcy court. When your expenses is bigger than your income and you have nothing to pay for your debts, then this is an option that you can take. It used to be just Chapter 7 - wherein your debts are discharged after qualified assets are liquidated. Now, Chapter 13 is what scares a lot of debtors because it involves a repayment plan that the court will impose and make sure that you comply.

These two options implies that you can’t just file for bankruptcy now. You need to be eligible for it. The means test will help the courts determine which chapter you fall into. If your income is not lower than the median salary of the state where you filed, you will automatically be considered for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. But if you are proven to have lower financial capabilities and a salary that is below the median range of the state, then you may be eligible for Chapter 7.

Chapter 13 is the reason why debt settlement became a better option for some people. It may involve a higher repayment plan but the credit score effects will not be as severe.

Both of them will have drastic effects on your credit score but bankruptcy will give the most damage. The minimum effect of bankruptcy is estimated at 200 to 250. So if your score started at 600, that can go down immediately to 350. In debt settlement, it can be as low as 50 points.

Debt settlement involves a process wherein the debtor will negotiate with the creditor for a lower payment plan. It is usually a lower amount than the outstanding balance. The idea is, when you have paid for the agreed settlement amount, the rest of your debt will be forgiven.

Ultimately, you will know the right option if you know how much you are capable of paying for. If you wish to pursue bankruptcy, make sure you are ready for the repayment plan that may be imposed on you based on the requirements of Chapter 13.

If not, know that debt settlement can effectively get you out of debt. Whether you decide to work with a professional or not, National Debt Relief can assist you with any questions that you may have about this type of debt relief. Know if debt settlement is the answer to your credit problems here: http://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/debtsettlement/.