A Debt Management Program is a process by which a credit counseling agency works with your creditors on your behalf. The process begins with a certified credit counselor reviewing your situation and helping you determine your short and long-term goals. After the development of a working budget for handling your monthly expenses each of your credit accounts is examined in detail. Then, a repayment plan is developed to fit your needs and meet your creditor's requirements. Repayment plans may last from six months to five years depending on your personal situation. During a Debt Management Program you make monthly payments to Credit Advisors Foundation. These payments are then forwarded to your creditors in accordance with your plan to become debt free. Many creditors recognize a consumer's efforts to repay debts through a Debt Management Program by making concessions, such as adjusting your interest rate and lowering required payments to assist your program progress. Credit Advisors Foundation works with over 50,000 creditors nationwide.