How We Evaluate Debt Relief Options

Last updated: August 2026

Our goal is to help you understand what each route out of debt actually involves, so you can judge which one fits your situation. We are not a ranking site and we do not run a league table of providers. What we do is explain the approaches — debt settlement, consolidation, and credit counseling — and describe the one program we have a commercial relationship with, clearly labelled as such.

What we look at

• Cost model — whether fees are charged only after results, such as after a debt is actually settled, or taken upfront.
• Track record and transparency — how long a company has operated, and how plainly it explains its fees and process before you commit.
• Consultation experience — whether you can get a free, no-obligation review without pressure.
• Fit — the debt size, debt type and financial situation each approach genuinely suits, including who it does not suit.

Where our money comes from

JG Wentworth is our only advertising partner. Every consultation link on this site goes to them, and we may be paid if you request a consultation. We previously worked with other providers; we no longer do, and we have removed their links rather than leave them pointing somewhere we can no longer stand behind.

That relationship is the reason this site exists, so we would rather state it plainly than bury it. It also means you should treat this site as one input, not a complete survey of the market. Comparing at least one other provider before you enrol anywhere is a reasonable thing to do, and we would say the same if you asked us directly.

What we will always tell you

Debt settlement is not free money and it is not right for everyone. It typically damages your credit, forgiven balances can be taxable, and it works by deliberately falling behind on payments — which is the wrong move if you can still cover your minimums. Where consolidation or a balance-transfer card would cost you less, we say so, including on pages where saying so costs us the click. Our settlement versus consolidation comparison is written for exactly that decision.

Any score we show is our editorial opinion, weighing the factors above. It is not derived from customer surveys or independent audits. Advertising compensation is disclosed on every page — see our full disclosure.