Debt Relief / Company / 3 Top Debt Relief Companies

3 Top Debt Relief / Debt Consolidation Companies in 2024

Written by Ben Tejes
Updated Mar 15th, 2024

Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links that help support Ascend.

You are considering debt relief (also known as debt consolidation), but unfortunately, you get inundated with millions of ads saying one company is the best or another company is the best. I was the previous CEO of a debt relief/debt consolidation program, and I always look for a company that:

1. I can trust.

2. Offer reasonable fees.

Unfortunately, with debt relief, I currently only trust a small handful of companies. The reason is that some debt relief firms send deceptive bait and switch consolidation loan mailers, and CFPB just sued another facade debt relief law firm for charging upfront fees.

You will notice that some of the big name debt relief companies are currently not on the list, and that's purposeful. Feel free to take the following 3 question questionnaire to see my favorite in your state and an estimated cost and duration.

3 Important Things to Know in ~30 Seconds

Compare Your Monthly Payment Estimates

Some debt relief firms do not operate in certain states or charge fees based on debt amount. The goal of the 30 second calculator below is to provide a quick estimate for some of the top debt relief companies that I have built a relationship with over the years.

What Are Our Favorite Debt Settlement Companies?

Ascend Finance LLC started as a debt settlement company in 2018, but we decided to pivot to debt relief calculators. That said, there are 2 debt settlement companies that we have really liked working with. You can easily check your rate and qualification for free with both companies by clicking "Check Your Rate" below. Also, checking your rate will not negatively affect your credit score.

Curadebt

Curadebt offers a few things we like best. Please feel free to check your rate below.

1. Low fee structure after first settlement. This can potentially save thousands in fees.

2. 4.8 rating on Google, 5.0 rating on BBB, A+ BBB rating, very low BBB complaint count.

3. Honesty about cons. You can ask them to go through how likely your creditors will sue.

4. Checking your rate does NOT affect your credit score.

Check Your Rate

Pacific Debt Relief

I really appreciate that Pacific Debt Relief has been around for over 20 years, which often means that it understand the process.Please feel fee to check your rate below.

1. Reasonable fee structure after first settlement. This can potentially save thousands in fees.

2. 4.6 rating on Google, 4.93 rating on BBB, A+ BBB rating, 6 BBB complaints in last 3 years

3. Checking your rate does NOT affect your credit score.

Check Your Rate

Oak View Law Group (in collaboration with Debt Consolidation Care)

Oak View Law Group offers some features we really like. Please feel fee to check your rate below.

1. Low fee structure after first settlement. This can potentially save thousands in fees.

2. 5.0 rating on Google, 4.73 rating on BBB, A+ BBB rating, 0 BBB complaints, 5.0 on Yelp.

3. Oak View is also a law firm, which may be helpful in negotiations.

4. Checking your rate does NOT affect your credit score.

Check Your Rate

How Do You Choose the Best Debt Settlement Company?

Not all debt settlement companies are created equal nor are the reviews themselves. Here's some attributes to consider when reviewing a debt settlement company.

1. Look at reviews from more unbiased sources. These could be BBB, Google or Yelp.

2. I may not put as much value in BBB accreditation as I do in BBB complaints. After all, a company may have to pay for the BBB accreditation.

3. Sure, you can save money with debt settlement, but does the company talk about the cons (lawsuit likelihood, tax consequences, etc.)?

4. Is the debt settlement HONEST about the fees they charge? I often dislike this answer, "the fees are included in the plan". Well, what's the percentage?