Are you a consumer who feels overwhelmed by your growing credit card debt? Do you feel like you don't even know where to start when it comes to getting your family's financial well being back on track? If so, there are a number of debt settlement options that you may want to consider. Although debt settlement is legal in most jurisdictions, most lenders are hostile to the notion of settlement and refuse to discuss the option unless the account holder can prove that he or she is facing dire financial straits and is unlikely to be able to pay the account back in full. Furthermore, in order to make a settlement offer, consumers typically need to have access to a lump sum of money to offer in exchange for the settlement - a requirement that many consumers in financial distress find it hard to fulfill. Still, most financial advisors suggest that you avoid doing business with unscrupulous third-party debt settlement companies who may charge you thousands of dollars in fees and service charges before beginning the settlement process.