How Long Does Debt Review Take?
Typically 3 to 5 years. The exact duration depends on how much debt you have, your income, and how much you can afford to pay each month.
I know that sounds like a long time. But consider: without debt review, many people spend decades trapped in a cycle of minimum payments that barely touch the principal.
The Debt Review Timeline
Here's what the process looks like from start to finish:
Week 1-2: ApplicationYou meet with your debt counsellor, provide documents, and your application is submitted to the NCR. Your creditors are notified that you're under debt review.
Week 2-4: AssessmentYour debt counsellor analyses your income, expenses, and total debt. They calculate what you can realistically afford to pay each month.
Month 1-2: NegotiationYour debt counsellor negotiates with creditors to reduce interest rates and extend payment terms. This is where the real savings happen.
Month 2-3: Court OrderYour restructured payment plan is made a court order, giving it legal standing. This formalises your protection.
Month 3 onwards: RepaymentYou make your single monthly payment to a Payment Distribution Agency (PDA), which distributes funds to your creditors.
End: Clearance CertificateOnce all debts are paid, you receive a clearance certificate. You're officially debt-free and can apply for credit again.
What Affects the Duration?
Several factors influence how long your debt review will take:
Total Debt AmountSimply put, more debt takes longer to repay. Someone with R200,000 in debt will finish sooner than someone with R800,000.
Your Monthly Payment CapacityThe more you can afford to pay each month, the faster you'll be debt-free. Even small increases in your payment can shave months off your timeline.
Interest Rate ReductionsBetter negotiations with creditors mean lower interest rates, which means more of your payment goes to the actual debt rather than interest.
ConsistencyMaking every payment on time keeps you on track. Missed or late payments can extend your timeline.
Can You Exit Debt Review Early?
Yes, in certain circumstances:
Pay off all debt early: If you receive a bonus, inheritance, or other windfall, you can pay off your remaining debt and exit early.
Settle with creditors: Sometimes creditors will accept a lump sum settlement for less than the full amount owed.
Improved financial situation: If your income increases significantly, your payment plan can be adjusted to finish sooner.
You cannot simply "quit" debt review because you're tired of it. The process is a legal commitment, and exiting improperly can leave you worse off than before.
How to Speed Up the Process
If you want to finish debt review faster:
Increase your payment when possible—even R200-R500 extra per month makes a difference
Use bonuses and tax refunds to make lump sum payments toward your debt
Avoid lifestyle inflation when you get a raise—put the extra money toward debt
Stay disciplined with your budget throughout the process
Is 3-5 Years Worth It?
Consider the alternative:
Without debt review, you might spend 10, 15, or even 20+ years making minimum payments while interest accumulates. You'd live under constant stress, facing potential legal action and asset repossession.
With debt review, you have a clear end date. You know exactly when you'll be debt-free. And you're protected while you get there.
Three to five years of focused effort for a lifetime of financial freedom. That's the trade-off.
The Bonus: Building Wealth During Debt Review
At Trustory, we take it a step further. Through our AccessWealth program, you can actually start building investments while paying off debt.
Instead of just ending debt review at zero, you could end with a growing investment portfolio. That's the "From Debt to Wealth" journey.
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Want to know your personal timeline? Fill in the contact form and I'll calculate exactly how long debt review would take for your specific situation—and show you how to reach financial freedom as quickly as possible.