MANY so called “debt settlement companies” pop up during down economies, only to be shut down by state Attorneys General for unauthorized practice of law, only to open up in another company name in a constant game of “whack-a-mole”. In fact, many states including North Carolina, make it ILLEGAL for anyone other than a duly licensed North Carolina Attorney to settle any debts for residents of North Carolina (or alternatively, the law allows a non profit consumer credit company to also assist in settling debts). Using a qualified lawyer who is licensed and highly trained in debt matters is often also costs about the same or even less than an unlicensed debt settlement company.