The first step in a debt settlement negotiation with a bank, credit card company, or collection agency is to confirm the debt belongs to you. If you reject a settlement offer, or fail to keep up with a payment arrangement, your creditor might take you to court.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. Here's everything you need to know about drafting and filing an Answer to a credit card debt lawsuit, with sample Answers included. Not sure about how to counter your creditor's debt settlement offer? Download this free Debt Settlement Offer Letter sample. If you have sent out a demand letter, you may be waiting on a counter-offer. Complete and close as many files as possible. 2. Luckily, there are many debt relief options.