Debt settlement rules

Not necessarily. Different companies have different policies. It really depends on a lot of different factors. Its just that your risks are higher of a judgment or it just won't settle as low so some companies won`t take them unless it has been paid 6 months or more since the BT or CA. It also depends on how big the BT or CA was.

Thanks for you help. So do you think it is in my best interest to get the best settlement to pay the 6 months? I have been given all kinds of info. from debt settlement companies and a lot of it was just wrong! I was already ripped off by Freedom Debt. They gave me bad and wrong advise and won't give back all the money we already paid them. Most all of it went for their "retainer". I don't ever think we will get it back. I appreciate all the help and advise I can get from knowledgeable members. Thank you!

Can a person call there own credit cards and ask for a seetlement? Or do you need to not make any payments to them for 6 months?

if you current on your payments to creditor there is no point to call and ask for settlement, if you pay on time why would they settle. Unfortunatelly you have to stop paying and it usually take few months before you can settle.
Creditor must believe that there is a reason you stop paying and have no more money to do so in the future

Agreed . If you can afford your minimums and just need lower APRs than you should consider a DMP with a non-profit consumer credit counseling agency. You should only consider debt settlement if you are overextended and are either delinquent with your creditors or about to be.