Debt settlement (saldo e stralcio) — Paolo Manganello Consulting

A saldo e stralcio is an agreement under which the creditor accepts a payment lower than the amount due — usually in a single instalment or a few — in exchange for waiving the remainder. Well built, it is advantageous for both sides: the creditor turns an uncertain claim into immediate cash, the debtor closes the position and can plan again.

Preparation makes the difference: knowing the real situation of both parties, the strength of the title and the alternative timelines allows a fair amount to be negotiated and formalised so that it is truly final.

Who it is for

Creditors who prefer a certain payment to lengthy litigation; debtors — individuals or businesses — with exposures to banks, finance companies, suppliers or collection agencies; anyone who has received a settlement proposal and wants to assess it with an independent professional.

What it includes

Analysis of the position and of the creditor's title
Definition of the sustainable amount and of the negotiation strategy
Management of the negotiation with the counterparty (banks, finance companies, debt purchasers, suppliers)
Drafting of the settlement agreement with release and waiver of the remainder
Check of the effects on credit-bureau records
Alternative: instalment repayment plan with guarantee clauses
Assistance until payment and receipt of the release

Final agreementWritten release: the position is truly closed

Sustainable amountNegotiated on the basis of real data, not pressure

Certain timelinesPayment and closure on agreed dates

How we work

Analysis — I assess position, title and alternatives for both parties.
Proposal — I formulate the offer (or assess the one received) with a justified amount.
Negotiation — I handle the negotiation until agreement.
Formalisation — written agreement, payment, release and update of the records.

Useful documents

For the first analysis, whatever you have available is enough. Typically useful:

Contracts, account statements and latest communications from the creditor
Any settlement proposals already received
Court documents served (if any)
Indication of the resources available for closure

Warning. A partial payment without a written agreement providing for the waiver of the remainder does not close the position. Correct formalisation is the most important part of the work.

Frequently asked questions

How much of a discount can be obtained?

It depends on the strength of the title, the age of the claim, the debtor's solvency and the nature of the creditor. There are no guaranteed percentages: there is a well-prepared negotiation.

Does the settlement erase the credit-bureau record?

Not automatically: the position is updated as “settled” and remains visible for the periods provided by the credit bureaus' code of conduct. We check the effects together before signing.

I am the creditor: should I accept?

Often yes, if the alternative is lengthy litigation against a debtor with limited solvency. We assess it with the numbers in hand.

Debt settlement and negotiated agreements.

Who it is for

What it includes

How we work

Useful documents

Frequently asked questions

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