Debt Settlement
Struggling With Debt? You May Be Able to Settle for Significantly Less Than You Owe.
Debt Settlement is one of the most powerful debt relief strategies available to Americans today. When you are carrying significant unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans — and struggling to keep up with minimum payments, debt settlement may allow you to resolve those accounts for a fraction of what you currently owe.
United Debt Relief’s done-for-you Debt Settlement program uses certified debt negotiators and attorneys who work directly with your creditors on your behalf. We serve clients in all 50 states. And we never charge a single dollar in fees until after a settlement has been successfully completed for you.
| $18.8T | Total U.S. household debt as of Q4 2025 — an all-time record. The average American household carries $105,056 in total debt. (Federal Reserve Bank of New York / Experian, 2026) |
| 1 in 4 | Americans carries more than $20,000 in unsecured debt including credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. (Consumer debt research, Dec. 2025) |
| 40–50% | Average savings on enrolled debt before fees for clients who complete a debt settlement program. (Debt settlement industry data, 2026) |
See Your Savings
See how much money and time you can save by speaking with one of our debt relief specialists.
Enroll Into Program
Resolve your enrolled debts in 12-48 months through our debt settlement program.
Get Relief
Get your financial freedom back and begin a new future.
What is Debt Settlement?
Debt Settlement is a done-for-you debt reduction program. Once enrolled, you make one affordable monthly deposit into a dedicated FDIC-insured savings account. The amount is determined during your consultation based on your total enrolled debt. As your savings builds, in-network certified negotiators and attorneys work directly with each of your creditors to reach a reduced settlement — one account at a time — until you are completely debt-free at a significantly lower amount than you originally owed.
Unlike making minimum payments for years at interest rates exceeding 22%, Debt Settlement gives you a defined path to becoming debt-free — faster, and for less.
Who Qualifies?
This program is designed for anyone in genuine financial hardship who is struggling with unsecured debt. You may be a strong candidate if you:
- Have a minimum of $10,000 in total unsecured debt
- Have a minimum of $500 in unsecured debt with each individual creditor
- Are struggling to make monthly minimum payments
- Have experienced job loss, medical expenses, reduced income, or other hardship
- Are behind on payments or anticipate falling behind
- Want to avoid bankruptcy and its long-term consequences
- Want to be debt-free within 12–48 months
The 4-Phase Program — How It Works
Phase 1
Debt Relief Assessment
A free consultation with one of our debt specialists. We review your complete financial picture, identify which debts qualify, and confirm that debt settlement is the right program for your situation. Every situation is different — we make sure this program makes sense for you before moving forward.
Phase 2
Account Management & Monthly Savings
Once enrolled, you make one affordable monthly deposit into your dedicated savings account — typically lower than your current combined minimum payments. Your dedicated account manager supports you throughout and prepares you for any creditor contact during this phase.
Phase 3
Negotiations & Settlement
As your savings builds, certified negotiators and/or attorneys go to work. They negotiate account by account for the deepest possible reduction. Once a settlement is reached, you authorize it before any funds are released. You remain in control at every step.
Phase 4
Completion & Financial Freedom
Once all enrolled accounts are settled and closed at zero balances, you graduate the program completely debt-free. Most clients complete in 12–48 months. Many then transition to a Credit Repair program to accelerate score recovery.
What Debts Qualify?
Eligible for Enrollment
- Credit cards and retail store cards
- Unsecured personal loans
- Medical bills
- Unsecured lines of credit
- Private student loans
- Collections
- Auto repossession deficiencies
Not Eligible
- Mortgages and home equity loans
- Auto loans (secured)
- Federal student loans
- Child support or alimony
- Tax obligations — see our Tax Resolution program
- Have overwhelming monthly credit card and loan repayments
- Want to get back on financial track
- Cannot afford to pay what you owe
- Have unexpected medical bills
- Want financial freedom
- Need a fresh start
Debt Relief Assessment
Account Management
Negotiations & Settlement
Completion
The United Debt Relief Difference
- Google 5-Star Rated — real clients, real results
- No upfront fees — we earn our fee only after your debt is successfully settled
- Certified debt negotiators and licensed attorneys fighting for you
- Dedicated account manager throughout your entire program
- Available nationwide — all 50 states
- Five programs available — we match you to the right solution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is debt settlement?
Debt settlement is the process of negotiating with creditors to accept a reduced lump-sum payment in exchange for forgiving the remaining balance. It is designed for people with significant unsecured debt who are in genuine financial hardship and want a real alternative to bankruptcy.
How much can I save with debt settlement?
Clients who complete the program save an average of 40–50% of their enrolled debt before fees. Individual results vary based on creditor, account age, and financial situation. Your free consultation will provide a realistic estimate based on your specific debts.
How long does debt settlement take?
Most clients complete the program in 12–48 months, depending on total enrolled debt and monthly savings consistency. Your specialist will provide a realistic timeline during your free consultation.
Will debt settlement affect my credit score?
Yes. During the program, enrolled accounts typically become delinquent as you redirect funds to your savings account. This will impact your credit score. However, many clients follow up with a Credit Repair program after completion and see significant score recovery.
Are there any upfront fees?
No. United Debt Relief and our network partners never charge fees until after a settlement has been successfully completed and you have authorized it. Fees are based on a percentage of your enrolled debt.
What do I say if a creditor calls?
Inform them you wish for all communications to be sent in writing. You are not legally required to speak with collectors. If you feel a collector is harassing you, contact your team immediately — we monitor for FDCPA violations and can connect you with a partner debtor’s rights attorney.
Do I have to include all my accounts in the program?
We strongly advise enrolling all qualifying unsecured accounts. Leaving an active account outside the program significantly complicates negotiations with your other creditors.
How is debt settlement different from debt consolidation?
Debt consolidation combines debts into a single loan repaid in full at a fixed rate. Debt settlement negotiates to actually reduce the balance you owe. Settlement is best for those in financial hardship; consolidation is better suited for those who can repay the full balance at a lower rate. United Debt Relief offers both.
Can I do debt settlement myself without a company?
You have the legal right to negotiate directly with creditors, but debt settlement is complex and time-sensitive. Creditors recognize professional negotiators and respond differently than they do to individual consumers. Errors in the negotiation process — such as partial payments or improper communication — can reset statutes of limitations or create additional legal exposure. Professional representation consistently produces better settlement percentages and protects you from collector violations throughout the process.
Is debt settlement the same as bankruptcy?
No. Debt settlement and bankruptcy are fundamentally different. Bankruptcy is a federal legal proceeding that either liquidates assets (Chapter 7) or restructures payments under court supervision (Chapter 13). Debt settlement is a private negotiation process that resolves accounts individually through agreed reductions. Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 7 to 10 years and can affect professional licenses, housing applications, and security clearances. Many people choose debt settlement specifically to avoid the long-term consequences of bankruptcy.
What happens to my credit score after I complete the program?
Once all enrolled accounts are settled and closed, the negative impact of the program stops accumulating. Many clients pursue a Credit Repair program immediately after completion to dispute inaccurately reported items and build new positive payment history. Clients who combine debt settlement with subsequent credit repair often see meaningful score recovery within 12 to 24 months of program completion.