This article provides a template for a debt settlement proposal letter and explains what a debt settlement letter should contain. This is a template letter to your creditors requesting that they forgive your debt and write it off for compassionate reasons.I can't afford your offer right now, so I'm going to contact them and see if they can settle for what I have." Want to settle your debt? First, you can write a cease and desist letter to the collection agency stating either your request for the calls to stop or your refusal to pay the debt. You have 30 days to respond to a debt lawsuit in California. A debt settlement letter is all you need to negotiate debts with your creditors. It asks you to pay a certain settlement amount to the collection agency. I've been summons to go to court for an AMEX past due credit card debt in California. Can I negotiate a settlement?