Sometimes known as debt negotiations, a debt settlement basically means getting your creditors to agree to reduce your debt amount by up to 60% and you will usually be expected to make the final payment in one lump sum. Negotiations between the creditor and the debtor are integral into making a settlement. It is also sometimes known as debt reduction. A debtor can decide whether to negotiate with the creditor on his own or to hire a third party to play the part of the negotiator. It is often advised that the debtor get a debt settlement advisor to be the middle person.