Guides
Guides
Plain-language help with debt collectors, creditors, settlement, taxes and your rights, whether or not you ever call us. Every guide cites its sources.
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Debt collectors
Who is calling you, why, and what the law says they can and cannot do.
- GuideDebt collectors and debt buyersWho the big debt buyers and collectors are, whether their letters are legit, how to check one is real, and what to do before you pay or if one sues you.
- Debt collectorCavalry SPV and Cavalry Portfolio ServicesWho Cavalry SPV and Cavalry Portfolio Services are, whether the letters are legit, whether to pay, what to do if Cavalry sues, and how settling works.
- Debt collectorCrown Asset ManagementWho Crown Asset Management is, whether its letters are legit, whether to pay, what to do if it sues you, and how settling and pay for delete really work.
- Debt collectorJefferson Capital SystemsWho Jefferson Capital Systems is, whether its letters are legit, whether to pay, what to do if it sues you, and how settling and pay for delete really work.
- Debt collectorLVNV Funding and Resurgent Capital ServicesWho LVNV Funding and Resurgent Capital Services are, whether their letters are legit, whether to pay, what to do if LVNV sues, and how pay for delete works.
- Debt collectorMidland Credit ManagementIs Midland Credit Management legit, should you pay it, and what to do if Midland sues you: validation, time limits, settling, and its pay for delete policy.
- Debt collectorPortfolio Recovery AssociatesIs Portfolio Recovery Associates legit, should you pay PRA, and what to do if it sues you: validation, time limits, CFPB orders, settling and pay for delete.
- Debt collectorRadius Global SolutionsWho Radius Global Solutions is, why it is calling, whether its letters are legit, whether to pay, how settling works, and what to do if you are sued.
- Debt collectorSpring Oaks CapitalWho Spring Oaks Capital is, whether its letters are legit, whether to pay, what to do if it sues you, and how its credit report deletion policy works.
- Debt collectorVelocity InvestmentsWho Velocity Investments is, whether its letters are legit, whether to pay, what to do if it sues you, and how settling and pay for delete really work.
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When debt gets serious
A lawsuit, a garnishment, medical bills or cards you cannot pay, and the debt laws in your state.
- Debt helpHelp when debt gets seriousFree, plain-language guides for when debt gets serious: a lawsuit, a wage garnishment, medical bills in collections, or credit cards you can no longer pay.
- Debt helpSued by a debt collector: what to do firstSued by a debt collector? Find your answer deadline, check the debt, raise defenses like an old debt, and get free legal help. Legal information, not advice.
- Debt helpWage garnishment: how it works and how to limit itHow wage garnishment works after a court judgment, the federal limit on what can be taken, the exemptions you can claim, and where to get free legal help.
- Debt helpMedical debt in collections: what to doMedical debt collection laws as of October 2026: credit report rules, the No Surprises Act, hospital financial aid, state rules, and what to do before you pay.
- Debt helpCan't pay your credit cards? What to do nextBehind on credit cards or just laid off? What happens as payments are missed, hardship programs, unemployment help, and how the main options compare.
- Debt helpDebt validation letter: how to ask a collector to prove a debtHow a debt validation notice works, your 30 days to dispute a debt in writing, what the collector must do next, and a sample validation letter you can copy.
- By stateDebt laws and debt relief by stateWhere Clear Financial enrolls clients today, where it does not, and state guides to debt laws, lawsuits and bankruptcy, with free nonprofit help in every state.
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Debt settlement, explained
How it works, what it costs, what can go wrong, your taxes, and who qualifies.
- GuideDebt settlementHow debt settlement works, what it costs in dollars, how long it takes and what can go wrong, explained plainly before you talk to anyone at all.
- GuideHow debt settlement worksHow debt settlement works, step by step: the free call, the account in your name, the negotiations, and the approval you give before every payment.
- GuideDebt settlement feesDebt settlement fees explained: what the fee is based on, when federal law lets a company charge it, a worked example in dollars and other costs to ask about.
- GuideDebt settlement risks and credit impactYes, debt settlement hurts your credit. How late payments, charge-offs, collection calls, lawsuits and growing balances work, and how credit recovers after.
- GuideForm 1099-C and taxes on settled debtGot a 1099-C after a debt settled? Why canceled debt is usually taxable, and how the IRS insolvency worksheet and Form 982 can cut the tax, with an example.
- GuideHow to qualify for debt settlementHow to qualify for debt settlement: the minimum debt, which debts are eligible, what counts as a hardship, where we enroll, and what happens on the first call.
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Compare your options
Settlement next to loans, debt management plans and bankruptcy, including when the others fit better.
- CompareCompare debt relief optionsDebt settlement, consolidation loans, debt management plans and bankruptcy side by side, including where the other options are the better choice for you.
- CompareDebt settlement vs debt consolidationDebt settlement against a debt consolidation loan: what each one costs, how long it takes, what it does to your credit, and who each one fits best.
- CompareDebt settlement vs a debt management planA nonprofit debt management plan vs debt settlement: how each works, what it costs, what it does to your credit, and when the plan is the better choice.
- CompareDebt settlement vs bankruptcyDebt settlement vs Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy: cost, time, credit impact, what you keep, the means test, and when bankruptcy is the better choice.
- CompareHow to vet a debt relief companyHow to choose a debt relief company: the FTC and CFPB red flags, the questions to ask, and how to check state registration and complaints before you sign.
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Calculators
Run the numbers yourself. No email, no phone number.
- CalculatorDebt settlement savings estimatorA debt settlement calculator with the formula shown: the settled range, the fee as its own line, program length, monthly deposit and three worked examples.
- CalculatorsDebt relief calculatorsA free debt relief calculator with no email or phone number required: an illustrative settlement range, the fee in dollars, and the monthly deposit.
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For your situation
Guides for settling with your card issuer, and for veterans and military families.
- CreditorSettling with your card issuerHow settling a credit card with the card issuer works: charge-off timing, when an account is sold to a debt buyer, what to get in writing, and taxes.
- For youDebt help for veterans and military familiesDebt relief for veterans and military families: the SCRA 6% cap, Military Lending Act limits, who handles VA debt, free help, and when settlement may fit.
Next step
Rather talk it through?
A real person picks up the phone. Or check your state and see an illustrative estimate first.
Four short steps
Your estimate first. Contact details last.
- 1How much you owea close guess is fine
- 2What kinds of debtpick all that apply
- 3Which state you live inchecked before anything else
- 4Your estimate, then a real person if you want one