If you want to know how to pay off debt fast, you might ask a debt consolidation lender, a credit counselor, a debt consultant, or a bankruptcy attorney. Here are the timeframes for each option: Debt consolidation does not pay off your debt. But by replacing high-interest debt with low-interest debt, you may clear your balances faster. Pick the debt consolidation loan with the lowest interest rate, then choose the shortest term you can afford.  Debt management from a credit counseling company typically takes four years. Note that debt management plans do not reduce what you owe. Debt management can fail when participants can’t afford the monthly payment over several years. Debt settlement: According to the American Fair Credit Council, “Clients generally see initial account settlements within 4-6 months.” It typically takes two to four years to graduate from a debt settlement program.  Chapter 13 bankruptcies take three to five years to complete, but most filers have to make payments for five years.  You may be able to get debt-free with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in four-to-six months after filing.