Many consumers are cautious when it comes to selecting a partner organization to help them with a debt management plan. They're right to be, as it's not something that should be approached lightly. Skill and ability levels of agencies dealing with these issues can vary greatly. However, there are some extremely helpful organizations out there, too. You just have to know how to sort them out.

Be sure you are going to be matched with a competent, caring counselor if you partner yourself with an agency. What you want is a counselor who knows what they are talking about, cares about your plight and is nonjudgmental. Most debt management counselors are actually like that, so don't settle for one who isn't.

Be prepared prior to meeting with the counselor. You can expect to have all of your budgets, assets and liabilities reviewed during the process, so you're going to want to have all of the related information and paperwork ready to go heading in.

Make sure the agency you're working with has legitimate and honest business practices. Just because an agency is labeled as being a part of Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) or the National Foundation of Credit Counselors (NFCC), that doesn't necessarily mean that they are better than any another agency. It basically means that they have paid a fee to become a member of the organization.

Once you're all set and ready to go, remember to keep your expectations realistic. These plans are designed to work over a three to five year period, and you need to stay on top of the agency and yourself to see that happens. Just keep your goals in sight, and your credit situation can greatly improve.