Debt Relief: Options for Managing and Reducing Debt Burdens

Debt settlement lowers your credit score and can stay on your report for about 7 years. Here's how much it drops, how long it lasts, and how to rebuild.

Debt settlement can lower what you owe and help you avoid bankruptcy, but it hurts your credit and isn't guaranteed.

A debt management plan covers unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans, not mortgages or auto loans. See exactly what qualifies.

Compare the best debt management plan companies of 2026 on fees, accreditation, services, and availability to find the right nonprofit for your debt.