The creditors can sue you for the money that is owed. This will result in a judgment, which could lead to them garnishing your wages. This does not mean that they will take your assets. They could freeze your bank accounts. So when they sue you and you own nothing doesn't mean that they won't get what they want, they will find a way to get it.
debt settlement is not alway the way to go. A debt settlement company will take your money and put it in an account till you have enough in the account to offer a settlement. Alot of the time a creditor will not wait that long before they sue you. Now with a debt consolidation company will send out paperwork to your creditors with an offer and the companies can accept it, refuse it or counter offer. This way the creditor will know that they will get paid something every month.
Like I said earlier sometimes a person has no choice to file for BK. ANd in most cases it is because a person has little to no assets and little income, so that would be the best way for them to go. The choice is theirs, but the BK lawyer will be the best source of information to tell them which way is best for them to go.