Creditors requesting that I set up check by phone - guide me

I have contacted my creditors and they are willing to work with me and put me on a plan i can afford. They are requiring that I set up check by phone for the first 3 payments before I will be able to make payments myself. Is this an OK plan, or should I push for sending the payments in myself. Additionally, what should I ask for in this negotiation, they have dropped my interest rates to .99% and are accepting very small payments for 12 months. Should I push for removal of bad statements off my credit report before I start paying or is getting current and then going back and fixing problems later the way to go? i.e. are creditors that you have started paying again after 6 months of not paying a cent likely to help people out with removal of late statements on their credit report. Long term I want to get current with all of my debts, remove all bad information from my credit report and get a 0% card to transfer all my balances to. My mom has offered to help out with this once I get things started and the outstanding balance isn't so high. I appreciate the advice.