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. Complete the Creditor's Claim that you received from the claimant.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. If you reject a settlement offer, or fail to keep up with a payment arrangement, your creditor might take you to court. If you doubt that you owe a debt, or that the amount owed is not accurate, your best recourse is to send a debt dispute letter to the collection agency. Download a free pdf version of sample letters to dispute with credit bureaus and negotiate a payment plan with creditors. If you admit you owe the debt then you should contact the creditor's lawyer on the paperwork and try to work out a payment plan. Click here to view a sample letter template.