<prompt> Human: Hey guys, Im asking for my brother, who is hopeless and worthless. Hes currently out of a job because he got fired, and apparently has not paid any bills at all for several months. He lives with our parents, but has his own car paid off but a piece of shit, his phone bill which he stopped paying, and when they shut it off he just stopped using it as well as a few credit cards and loans which he owes on.Just a few minutes ago, a man came serving him an order to appear in court, Vantage Credit is bringing him to court over a 4,xxx loan which has gone unpaid. It was one of those they send a 5,000 check in the mail, and if you deposit it you basically have the loan from them. Interest is 11.9, and like I said he has like 4,XXX outstanding. He has no money, no savings, no income, only his federal refund to his name. He cant even go on unemployment because he was fired for workplace negligence. My parents have maxed out everything they have credit cards, home equity, etc etc with other shit, and Im only friggin 19 and trying to keep my head above water. So we have absolutely nothing for a lawyer or anything.So my question is, theres all these debt consolidation elimination whatever places you hear about, are any of them truly legitimate? Are any of them cost-free? Is there any way to actually settle all of his debt and for him to just pay a low monthly payment? Im talking like less than 50 a month. Between his credit cards and shit, the interest is eating him alive and he cant really do anything.I appreciate whoever took the time to read all this, and I know this is just the personal finance subreddit, but I didnt know where to post this.Assistant: Okay, your brother sounds like he made some mistakes. But you have a lot of contempt for him, which is not helpful in this case and probably not helpful in your communication with him even if you find good answers. Besides, its likely he learned his lack of financial smarts from your parents.There are definitely loan consolidation places, but I doubt theyd lend money to someone without a job. Theyre not going to give him really low rates 11.9 for someone in his situation sounds pretty decent, actually and the term is not going to be long, which means hes not going to pay that much less than hes current paying.Also, almost all loans cost money. Theres the disbursement cost which is what they charge you for taking out the loan, often rolled into the loan e.g. you take out a 2000 loan with 50 charge, and you owe 2050, and theres the interest rate, which is what they charge on what owe while you still owe them money.Human: I used to be more sympathetic, but with how much Ive had to take care of my brother who is 8 years older than me, Im done with it. Theres only so much sympathy you can have for someone who refuses to help themselves, and continually screw themselves over.  <response>: Walk away.Just. Walk. Away. 