Floridians carry some of the largest share of debt in the U.S., leaving many struggling to cover monthly expenses or borrowing money just to pay off credit card balances. Learning more about Florida’s top debt relief options, such as debt settlement, debt consolidation, and debt management programs, prepares you to make wise financial decisions that can change your future.

Your Options To Get Out of Debt in Florida

Debt Consolidation

Consolidating debt is a viable option for consumers with fair to good credit, allowing consumers to eliminate multiple high-interest payments in favor of a single balance.

How It Works in Florida
Debt consolidation involves moving all your debts to a single source to repay them, whether it’s a loan or a balance transfer. Debt consolidation in Florida and cities like Miami depends on your credit score and how you choose to consolidate.
Pros
Reorganizes debt into a single payment
Cons
Costs more in interest if you don’t pay it off quickly
Cost
If you opt for a loan, you’ll take out enough funds to cover all the debts you want to consolidate. Choosing a zero-interest balance transfer credit card costs you nothing unless you fail to pay off your balance within the specified timeline. Any balance left over after your promotional period is subject to your card’s standard annual percentage rate (APR). 
Stats
-Orlando, Florida, ranks 9th among U.S. cities with the biggest increase in personal loan debt in 2024.
-Zero-balance transfer rates typically last between 6 and 18 months. 
Resources
While the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau doesn’t facilitate debt consolidation services, they offer transparent advice about the pros and cons of this option.  

Debt Settlement

Negotiating with creditors to settle debt can reduce your total balance and the amount of time it takes to pay everything off.

How It Works in Florida
Debt settlement organizations in Florida negotiate debt reductions for clients. While similar services exist across the U.S., any company operating in the Sunshine State must follow Florida consumer protection laws.  
Pros
Typically reduces debt by thousands of dollars
Cons
Negatively impacts your credit score in some cases
Cost
Legitimate debt settlement companies don’t charge any upfront fees. Instead, they’ll charge you a set fee (usually 15-25%) of your total enrolled debt once you’ve settled your balances with creditors.
Stats
-One of the biggest types of settled debt comes from credit card balances.
-Florida residents carry an average credit card debt of $4,610.  
Resources
Florida’s Consumer Protection Division offers scam alerts to help keep consumers safe when handling debt through a debt relief organization.  

Bankruptcy

Floridians with heavy debt loads sometimes file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy as a debt relief solution.

How It Works in Florida
Although bankruptcy laws are enacted and enforced by the federal government, each judicial district has its own bankruptcy court with localized rules. Florida is broken into the Northern, Middle, and Southern districts with headquarters in major cities throughout the state.  
Pros
Can absolve most of your debts
Cons
May require you to sell off assets to eliminate debts
Costs
If you file on your own, you’ll pay court fees plus whatever payments the judge rules in your case. Filing with a bankruptcy attorney means you’ll pay for their services plus court-ordered debt payments and fees.
Stats
-Bankruptcy cases in Florida increased 13% from the previous year in 2023.
-Nearly 30,000 Floridians filed for bankruptcy in 2023.  
Resources
-Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court 
-Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court 
-Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court

Debt Management Programs

Florida residents use debt management programs to organize monthly payments through a private or nonprofit organization.

How It Works in Florida
Florida’s debt management programs (DMPs) allow Sunshine State residents to restructure debts into a single repayment each month instead of trying to keep track of multiple bills.  
Pros
Can lower interest payments
Cons
May require you to close out credit accounts or refrain from opening new ones
Costs
You’ll typically pay an enrollment fee and a monthly surcharge for every account on your plan.
Stats
-DMPs can help Floridians effectively manage some student loan debts.
-The average Floridian owes $38,065 in federal student loan debt.  
Resources
Florida’s Office of the Attorney General offers advice on choosing the best debt management program.  

Credit Counseling

Sunshine State residents can opt to learn more about debt relief and money management through a credit counseling agency before making a plan to pay off huge balances.

How It Works in Florida
Most credit counseling services operate as nonprofit agencies that specialize in financial education. While they don’t clear debt for Sunshine State residents, they do offer advice on how to overcome monetary hardship.
Pros
Offers programs for little cost
Cons
Not an actual debt repayment plan
Cost
Many credit counseling agencies offer low or no-cost services for those facing financial hardship. Fees are typically nominal when enrolling in a program.
Stats
While the total number of consumers using credit counseling has remained steady across the nation, the number of consumers using debt settlement companies has increased in recent years.  
Resources
Florida’s Attorney General also explains the benefits and offers tips on choosing a credit counseling service.   

What You Need to Know About Debt in the State of Florida

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collections in Florida

The statute of limitations in each state protects consumers from creditors who want to pursue legal action years after a debt becomes collectible.

Although you can’t go to jail for outstanding debts, creditors or debt collectors can add collections to your credit report and contact you for repayment. They can also take legal action to enforce a debt until a certain time period has passed.

Debt collectors are responsible for following all Florida statutes for consumer debt collections, including registering with the state and communicating clearly and respectfully with debtors. Florida regulations require debt collectors to provide written notice of any debt in collections within five days of contacting you.

Florida’s Statute of Limitations on debt collections involves the following:

Type of Debt Agreement Length of Time Collectible
Written Contracts5 years
Promissory Notes5 years
Open-Ended Accounts4 years
Oral Agreements4 years

Statute of Limitations on Medical Debt in Florida

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation reducing the statute of limitations on medical debt to three years, making the law more favorable to consumers. The unanimously approved legislative bill, titled “Transparency in Health and Human Services,” adds patient protections in disclosing and collecting medical bills while reducing the amount of time debt collectors can pursue patients for medical bills.

Credit Card Forgiveness in Florida

While the State of Florida doesn’t provide credit card forgiveness, Sunshine State residents can pursue debt relief services such as debt settlement to reduce large balances from credit cards.

Student Loan Forgiveness in Florida

Florida offers the Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying residents. Applicants must be employed as licensed nurses, carry student loans for nursing programs, and work in specified high-needs areas.

Floridians may also qualify for federal student loan forgiveness programs.

“Specific student loan forgiveness is available to Floridians carrying $12,000 or less in balances who have made student loan payments for at least 10 years,” explains Brad Reichert, founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management LLC. “In February of 2024, the federal Department of Education introduced the SAVE plan, an income-driven repayment option designed to assist low and middle-income borrowers,” shares Reichert.

Government Debt Relief Programs in Florida

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the federal government offered financial aid to combat unemployment and other challenges. Florida’s stimulus check program helped Sunshine State residents weather the storm of economic uncertainty.

While there are currently no more stimulus funds available in Florida, residents can apply for state and federal programs designed to offer emergency assistance.

Resources for Financial Assistance in Florida

Floridians in need of immediate help can apply for financial assistance through state and federal programs. Here’s a list of some available options:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): The SNAP program provides food assistance for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. 
  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): The WIC program provides healthy food assistance and support for mothers and their children. 
  • Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA): This program provides cash for pregnant women and families with children up to 19 years of age. TCA also assists family members acting as caregivers for kids aged birth to 17 by providing a monthly stipend. 
  • Florida KidCare: Florida offers low or no-cost health and dental insurance options for children up to age 18 through the KidCare program.

Some residents turn to payday loans in Florida for quick cash during financial struggles. But these types of loans can quickly spiral out of control if not handled carefully.

Get Professional Help Paying Off Your Debt

Seeking professional debt relief help is an effective solution for dealing with heavy burdens from unsecured debts.

Brad Reichert, financial expert and Founder and Managing Director of Reichert Asset Management LLC, advises debtors to “seek out any referrals you can obtain from trusted sources such as friends, family, or financial professionals who have had positive experiences with debt relief organizations in Florida.” He adds, “Their recommendations can provide valuable insights and help you find reputable options.”

If you’re struggling with unsustainable debt from sources like credit cards, medical bills, or personal loans, TurboDebt offers debt relief services for Sunshine State residents. Over 5,000 Floridians have enrolled, breaking the debt cycle and regaining financial freedom by paying off thousands of dollars in unsecured debts.

How TurboDebt Helped Florida Residents With Debt Relief Last Year

Here are more reasons TurboDebt benefits Floridians with financial burdens:

  • A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
  • Thousands of positive TurboDebt reviews on Trustpilot and Google
  • Programs that save clients an average of 46% of their total debt
  • American Fair Credit Council Certified
  • Affordable payment plans that help clients get out of debt faster

Contact TurboDebt today for a free consultation. It only takes a few minutes to discover if you qualify for debt relief services and find out more about your options.