Debt Management Guide

Structuring a working debt management plan

A Debt Management Plan (DMP) is an arrangement between you and your creditors to enable you to repay your debts with a regular payment you can afford. In other words, a DMP is a method for paying unsecured loans that include credit card bills, medical bills, student loans, or other unsecured debts which are hardly serviced or their service consume a devastatingly large portion of your disposable income. Debt Management Plans are not legally binding and typically managed by a third party group (usually by consumer credit counselling service groups). Most DMPs have a duration between 3-6 years and certainly should become a preferable option especially when compared to personal bankruptcy.

Arranging for a reasonable and feasible DMP involves:

  1. A comprehensive assessment of your financial situation that includes analyzing all sources of regular income and the forecasted income over the course of the next few years, all loans to be serviced during the same period, and any personal circumstances that might affect your financial capacity.
  2. Re-negotiation of interest rates, payments and other debt terms with the lenders, based upon evidence that the result will be a higher possibility of collection by the lenders.
  3. You and your creditors will be asked to accept the new repayment plan that involves lower monthly payments and longer repayment periods.
  4. Your single monthly payment is then allocated on a pro rata basis to your creditors (fair and proportionate distribution of the payment over to your lenders).
  5. A certified and trained credit counselor will be assigned to cater your relationship with your creditors, offering at the same time valuable financial advice.
  6. Your plan and your financial situation will be reviewed every six months or so just in case your circumstances have changed.
  7. The plan will continue until your loans are cleared or until you wish to voluntarily end the arrangement. Most common reason for this being an improvement in income enabling a client to leave the plan.

Keeping a personal budget aligned with your DMP and checking your monthly statements promptly to make sure your creditors are getting paid accordingly is essential for the success of your plan. Moreover, your personal commitment along with the frequent communication with your credit officer are equally necessary.

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