Debt settlement programs are also the shortest lasting programs out of all debt relief programs available today
. Usually a debt settlement program lasts between 12-36 months. Debt consolidation and credit counseling programs have a standard of a 60 month term. Due to the speediness of debt settlement programs, consumers are able to be debt free much sooner and begin rebuilding their credit scores immediately. It usually takes two years of steady building to regain a credit score of approximately 750 from a score as low as 500."