Generally speaking, many legal professionals and personal finance experts advise consumers to avoid the kind of unscrupulous debt settlement firms that make empty promises and charge exorbitant fees, while racking up more consumer complaints than virtually any other industry. However, if the mere mention of terms such as credit card, credit, debt, negotiation, settlement is enough to make you break out in a cold sweat, you may be the type of person who could really benefit from having the advice of a qualified expert. It may be beneficial to set up an appointment with a non-profit credit counseling service in your community. The representative will help you go over your financial documents, assess your situation, develop a budget, and create a plan for getting out of debt. If your situation is more urgent and you cannot bear the thought of dealing with creditors directly, consider seeking the services of a qualified debt settlement attorney with experience handling your type of case.