In many cases, personal finance experts advise consumers who are seeking to reduce their debts to undertake the debt settlement process on their own behalf. In many cases, credit card companies and other unsecured lenders prove to be flexible and open-minded when it comes to accepting lump-sum settlements from consumers who are significantly behind on their monthly payments. In addition, because many lenders prefer to work directly with the customer, it is often advised to eschew the services of third-party debt settlement companies and act as your own representative when working out the terms of a settlement agreement. However, when it comes to different kind of debts, such as back federal taxes, it can be very beneficial to have the advice of a qualified expert on your side. If you are entering the process of IRS debt negotiation, you may find it to be advantageous to seek out the services of a qualified attorney who has a track record of successful IRS settlements to fall back on.