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  • Spectacular!

    I liked your fast, friendly service. You were all knowledgeable in the area of bankruptcy. Your treatment of me as a client was spectacular! You were great at promptly responding to my questions and concerns. I loved that you provided courteous and quick responses to all my questions.
    --Donna
  • Highly Recommended!

    I have worked with Seth and he is the utmost professional in how he works with his clients. If you need an attorney you can trust I would highly recommend the Law Office of Seth Hanson.
    --David
  • Very Professional.

    Everyone was very professional and efficient. Seth, and everyone that I had contact with were very knowledgeable. I was very pleased with how we were treated by his staff. My questions were always answered promptly. I was very pleased with the service I received and would not hesitate to refer someone to your firm.
    --Anonymous
  • Non-judgmental.

    You were very open and answered all of my questions. You never made me feel like I was asking a dumb question. I was comfortable with your knowledge of the law. It was hard for me to make this decision to move forward in my life. Everyone was friendly to me and respectful. Non-judgmental. Every question I asked was answered promptly and appropriately. I would recommend you.
    --Anonymous
  • More Than Expected!

    I found the firm's representation to be more than what I expected. I was always kept in the loop, all my questions were answered (whether or not I asked more than once the same question), and I felt completely supported by the firm staff when going through this (at times) scary ordeal. Thank you again.
    --Joanna
  • Very Impressed!

    I liked that you had very friendly, caring staff. You were all very knowledgeable. Your treatment towards me was excellent and you quickly responded to all my concerns. If a friend asked of your overall impression, I would say that we were very impressed and we would recommend you to them.
    --Danielle

Is Debt Settlement A Good Alternative To Bankruptcy?

Debt settlement can work in the right situation, but you should be very careful to research the debt settlement company before using them. Many of my bankruptcy clients who have tried debt settlement before coming to me for help have been charged outrageous fees without any concrete results. Many debt settlement companies claim that they can reduce what you owe by up to 50% of what you owe. Unfortunately these firms can’t keep their promises. If you are currently struggling with debt, these debt settlement companies may seem like a knight in shining armor; however, there are a number of reasons why debt settlement companies fall short.

Debt Settlement Strategies To Avoid

Debt settlement companies often promise much more than they can deliver. Such promises include: reducing the amount of money needed to settle your debts, the elimination of debts, the avoidance of lawsuits, and the ability to remove negative information on your credit report. While these assertions may seem appealing, in reality creditors are not obligated to accept a partial payment of a debt. The creditors still have the right to sue consumers for not paying their debts. Also, no one can remove accurate timely information from your credit report. With regards to your credit report, because negotiations can take years, working with a debt settlement company can cause major damage to your credit score. Additionally, because you typically don’t make payments to your creditors during the negotiation period, late fees and interest can build up which may actually increase the amount you owe, not decrease it.

Now that you have been warned about the harm debt negotiation and debt settlement companies can cause, here are a few alternatives to having one of these companies manage your debt. The first step is the most important and involves staying in touch with your creditors on a consistent basis. Many credit card companies and mortgage companies are willing to work with you if you get behind on payments, but they can’t work with you if you place your head in the sand and ignore the debt. Also, creditors are more likely to settle a debt for less if you can pay them right away in a one-time lump sum payment. Ask for a discount on your total bill if you pay the remaining balance immediately. If you are considering filing bankruptcy, it may be a good strategy to mention this to your creditors as they are likely to get little or nothing if you file bankruptcy.

While there are many other strategies and tactics for negotiating your debts, staying in touch and asking for a break are the two basics. If you have tried to negotiate your debts directly and have hit a wall, be sure to call a Fairfield bankruptcy attorney and have an initial consultation BEFORE you sign an agreement with a debt settlement company. Bankruptcy can last anywhere from 6 months to 5 years, but is a legal and federally mandated method of reducing your debt, and has the power to give you a true way to discharge your debts and give you a second chance at financial freedom.

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