A debt management plan is an informal agreement between a borrower and their creditors typically arranged by a debt management service. Here, the creditors agree to accept a reduced amount of fixed monthly payments over a prolonged period. This allows the borrower to consolidate their unsecured debts and get their financial situation under control.
In some cases, under a debt management plan (DMP), creditors may choose to halt the accumulation of interest, penalties, and additional fees on the borrower’s existing debt, with the aim of helping the borrower repay their outstanding balance in full. However, this decision ultimately lies within the creditor’s discretion and is not guaranteed to occur for every borrower enrolled in a DMP.
As a debt solution, a debt management plan (DMP) or debt arrangement scheme (DAS) is not a legally binding arrangement, and therefore, it is considered a more discreet option compared to more drastic insolvency measures such as bankruptcy or sequestration in Scotland. Although a DMP can have an impact on an individual’s credit score, it will not be visible on any public registers.
Benefits of DMP
Here are some of the key advantages of DMP:
Single, Affordable, and Fixed Monthly Payment
A DMP can be advantageous for individuals who owe money to multiple creditors as it consolidates their repayments into a single, affordable, and fixed monthly payment to their debt management agency.
Debt management services play a crucial role in facilitating debt management plans (DMPs). Borrowers make a single monthly payment to their debt management agency, which then distributes the funds to their creditors on their behalf.
This helps borrowers to avoid the hassle of keeping track of repayment dates and making multiple payments throughout the month. Instead, they only have to make a combined payment to their debt management service, making the repayment process more straightforward and less stressful.
Stops Creditor Harassment
DMPs can provide significant relief to individuals who are experiencing creditor harassment, calls, and intimidation. If a borrower’s creditors have agreed to the terms of their DMP proposal, they are less likely to contact or harass the borrower to repay their debts.
What’s more, your debt management agency will take care of most of the negotiations and communication with your creditors, giving you peace of mind and saving you time and effort.
Reduced Monthly Payments
Debt management services are highly effective in negotiating lower interest rates with creditors. In some cases, creditors may agree to freeze charges or interest rates during the negotiation process. This can lead to potentially lower monthly payments for borrowers.
For individuals struggling to manage their debts, DMPs can provide a valuable lifeline. By negotiating with creditors on their behalf, debt management services can help borrowers reduce their monthly payments to a more manageable level. This reduction typically takes into account the borrower’s living expenses and bills.
Less Harmful to Your Credit Score
While it is true that setting up a DMP or DAS can have an impact on your credit score in the short term, over the long term it may actually be beneficial to your credit score. By successfully making your monthly payments towards your debts, you are demonstrating to lenders that you are a responsible borrower who takes their financial obligations seriously.
Additionally, the fact that you were able to resolve your financial difficulties through a DMP rather than a more extreme measure like bankruptcy may be viewed positively by lenders.
Informal solution
Compared to formal and legally-backed insolvency options, debt management plans offer certain unique advantages. For example, bankruptcy filings are entered into the public register, which can have negative consequences such as limiting job opportunities and potentially resulting in the loss of valuable possessions.
In contrast, debt management plans are considered informal solutions and are not entered into the public register. As such, they do not carry the same legal weight as formal insolvency options, and there is no risk of losing your valuables or job prospects as a result of entering into a DMP.
