Gitmeid Law Review: Debt Settlement Services Explained

Millions of Americans carry credit card balances and personal loans that feel impossible to escape. Late fees pile up, interest keeps growing, and collection calls never stop. If you are searching for ways out of overwhelming unsecured debt, you have probably come across Gitmeid Law, the consumer advocacy practice of Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, PLLC.

This review explains how the firm’s debt settlement services operate, what clients report about results and costs, the risks involved, and practical steps to decide whether attorney-backed debt relief makes sense for your situation. The goal is clear information so you can choose a path with open eyes.

Who Is Gitmeid Law and Robert S. Gitmeid?

Gitmeid Law is the public name for the Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, PLLC, a New York-based consumer advocacy firm. Robert S. Gitmeid, the managing member and general counsel, has been admitted to practice in New York since 2010, and is also licensed in New Jersey and Florida. He graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and focuses on consumer debt matters.

The firm maintains offices in Manhattan (including 180 Maiden Lane, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10038) and works with clients in multiple states. Practice areas include debt negotiation, fair debt collection defense, civil litigation defense against creditors, and related consumer protection work. In recent years the firm has also operated under or been associated with the name Safeguard Law Group, PLLC, while continuing the same core services.

Gitmeid Law frequently appears in connection with third-party debt relief programs. Many clients are referred through companies that handle the settlement process while the law firm provides legal representation and defense if creditors sue.

How Does Gitmeid Law Debt Settlement Work?

Debt settlement (also called debt resolution) aims to negotiate with creditors so you pay less than the full balance owed on unsecured debts such as credit cards and personal loans. Here is the typical process described by the firm and client accounts:

1. Free consultation. You share details about your income, debts, and financial hardship. The team evaluates whether settlement is realistic.
2. Enrollment and dedicated account. If you move forward, you sign an engagement agreement. You stop making direct payments to most enrolled creditors and instead deposit monthly amounts into a special-purpose savings account.
3. Negotiation phase. After accounts become delinquent (often 90 days or more), the firm or its partners contact creditors to seek reduced lump-sum or structured settlements. This stage can last many months or several years depending on the number of accounts and creditor policies.
4. Settlement and payment. When a creditor accepts an offer, funds from your dedicated account pay the agreed amount. The account is then reported as settled or paid for less than the full balance.
5. Legal support. If a creditor files a lawsuit, the firm may provide defense representation. Some programs include a separate monthly legal fee for this coverage.

This model is common across attorney-backed debt relief programs. The legal involvement is intended to give clients stronger leverage and protection against collection lawsuits compared with non-attorney settlement companies.

Results are never guaranteed. Creditors are not required to negotiate, and some refuse to work with settlement firms.

Costs, Fees, and What You Actually Pay

Gitmeid Law cost and fees are structured differently from traditional hourly legal billing. Typical charges fall in the 15–25% range of enrolled debt or the amount saved through settlement. Fees are often deducted from the dedicated account as settlements occur rather than charged entirely upfront.

Additional costs can include:

• Monthly maintenance or administrative fees
• A separate legal representation fee (reports of around $18 per month appear in some program descriptions)
• Possible increases in required deposits if settlements take longer or balances grow with interest and penalties

Because fees are calculated on the original or enrolled amount in many cases, the total you pay in fees plus the settlement amount can still represent a large portion of what you originally owed. Always request a written fee schedule and projected total cost before signing. Compare the estimated savings against the fees, the length of the program, and the damage to your credit during the process.

Is Gitmeid Law Legitimate?

Yes. Robert S. Gitmeid is a licensed attorney in good standing in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. The firm is a real PLLC with a physical New York presence and has operated for more than a decade. It holds BBB accreditation (currently listed under Safeguard Law Group, PLLC with an A+ rating) and maintains active bar registrations.

No major regulatory enforcement actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or state bars appear in public records specifically targeting the firm as of the most recent available information. That does not mean every client experience is positive. Legitimacy means the firm is a real law practice following licensing rules. It does not guarantee outcomes or eliminate the ordinary risks of debt settlement.

Client Reviews, Reputation, and Common Complaints

Public feedback is mixed and depends heavily on the platform and the individual case.

Positive comments (frequent on BBB, Trustpilot, and many Google reviews) often praise:

• Helpful and patient customer service staff
• Successful settlements that reduced balances
• Relief from constant creditor calls once the program advanced
• Clear communication during difficult financial times

BBB customer review averages have hovered in the mid-to-high 4s out of 5 based on hundreds of reviews. Trustpilot scores also trend high among recent reviewers who completed or partially completed programs.

Negative experiences appear regularly on Avvo, Birdeye, and in BBB complaint records. Common themes include:

• High fees that consumed a large share of the money deposited, leaving less for actual settlements
• Slow progress or only partial settlements after many months or years
• Unexpected increases in required monthly deposits
• Credit score drops of 100–300 points while accounts went delinquent
• Lawsuits filed by creditors despite the legal representation component
• Difficulty canceling and recovering unused funds
• Feeling that communication became less responsive after enrollment

BBB records show roughly 100 complaints over a three-year window, many centered on communication, fee transparency, and timeline issues. Some were resolved; others were not. A number of clients report that after paying thousands, only a fraction reached creditors while the rest went to fees.

The pattern is typical of the debt settlement industry: some people finish with meaningful savings and relief, while others feel they paid more and waited longer than expected with lasting credit damage.

Pros and Cons of Gitmeid Law Debt Settlement

Pros

• Attorney involvement can provide legal defense if sued
• Potential to settle unsecured debts for less than the full balance
• Structured program with a dedicated account
• Stops direct creditor contact for many clients once enrolled
• Licensed firm rather than an unregulated settlement company

Cons

• Significant temporary (and sometimes longer-term) credit score damage because of required delinquency
• Fees of 15–25% plus possible monthly charges can offset savings
• No guarantee that creditors will settle
• Program can last 2–4 years or longer
• Possible tax liability on forgiven debt amounts
• Mixed reviews on communication and final outcomes
• Risk of lawsuits and judgments during the process

Risks You Need to Understand Before Enrolling

Debt settlement is not risk-free. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warns that these programs often require you to stop paying creditors, which triggers late fees, penalty interest, collection activity, and negative credit reporting. Your balances can grow while you save money for settlements. Not every creditor will negotiate. Some will sue. Forgiven debt may be taxable as income.

If your income is unstable or your total unsecured debt is relatively modest, the fees and timeline may not make economic sense. Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 or 13) can sometimes resolve more debt faster and with clearer legal protections, though it carries its own serious consequences.

Alternatives to Consider

Before committing to any debt relief law firm, explore:

• Nonprofit credit counseling and debt management plans (these usually keep you current on payments while lowering interest)
• Direct negotiation with creditors yourself or through a local attorney
• Debt consolidation loans (if your credit still qualifies)
• Bankruptcy evaluation with a consumer bankruptcy attorney
• Hardship programs offered by the original creditors

The CFPB provides free guidance on negotiating with debt collectors and evaluating debt relief offers at consumerfinance.gov.

How to Evaluate Gitmeid Law for Your Situation

Ask these questions in writing during any consultation:

• What is the exact fee percentage and how is it calculated (original debt or settled amount)?
• What monthly fees apply and when do they start?
• What happens if a creditor sues? Is defense included or extra?
• What is the projected timeline and success rate for debts like mine?
• How do I cancel and what refund, if any, applies to unused funds?
• Will the firm or a partner company handle the day-to-day negotiations?

Read every page of the engagement agreement. Compare total projected cost against realistic savings. Check current BBB complaints and recent independent reviews. Consider speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor or an independent consumer attorney who does not sell settlement services.

Conclusion

Gitmeid Law is a legitimate, licensed New York law firm that offers attorney-supported debt settlement and collection defense. Many clients report meaningful debt reductions and supportive staff. Others describe high fees, slow results, and deeper financial stress. The process involves deliberate delinquency, credit damage, and no guarantees.

If you are drowning in credit card or personal loan debt, take time to understand every cost and risk. Request full written disclosures, compare alternatives, and make the decision that best protects your long-term financial health. When in doubt, consult an independent attorney or nonprofit counselor who has no financial stake in enrolling you in a particular program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gitmeid Law legitimate?
Yes. It is a licensed law firm led by Robert S. Gitmeid, admitted in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, with BBB accreditation.

How much does Gitmeid Law charge?
Fees commonly range from 15% to 25% of enrolled debt or savings, plus possible monthly legal or administrative fees. Always get the exact schedule in writing.

How does Gitmeid Law debt settlement work?
You deposit money into a dedicated account instead of paying creditors directly. The firm negotiates reduced settlements after accounts become delinquent and provides legal support if lawsuits arise.

What are common complaints about Gitmeid Law?
Clients most often cite slow progress, high fees relative to settlements achieved, communication gaps, credit damage, and difficulty canceling.

Can I cancel a Gitmeid Law program?
Cancellation terms appear in the engagement agreement. Some clients report challenges recovering unused funds. Ask for the cancellation and refund policy before signing.

Does debt settlement hurt my credit?
Yes. Stopping payments causes delinquencies that lower credit scores, often significantly, until accounts are settled and time passes.

What is the Gitmeid Law phone number and contact information?
The main number listed is (866) 707-4595. Offices are at 180 Maiden Lane, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10038. Confirm current details on gitmeidlaw.com.

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