Debt settlement is the process in which you stop paying your creditors for some time and save that money so that you can then negotiate with them to settle the debt for a lesser amount.
If you are in serious debt, debt settlement is a much better option than bankruptcy. A bankruptcy will be listed and hold your credit score down for 10 years, while the delinquent payments incurred while enrolled a Debt Settlement program will be there for only 7 years (and in some instance, even less). Another important factor to remember is that a typical debt settlement program ultimately resolves your debts for much less than other debt relief options. And, unlike bankruptcy, you won't have to sell your house or other assets in order to free yourself of your liabilities.