debt consolidation; debt adjustment; debt settlement
A general term for legal or financial procedures to resolve excessive debt, including out-of-court negotiations, voluntary liquidation, or formal bankruptcy. Often used in contexts like 債務整理の手続き (debt settlement procedures).
I couldn't repay my debts, so I asked a lawyer to help with debt consolidation.
Debt settlement methods include voluntary arrangements and personal bankruptcy.
自己破産 is a specific type of debt settlement involving court-ordered bankruptcy, while 債務整理 is the broader category that includes it.
任意整理 is a voluntary out-of-court debt negotiation, one of the methods under 債務整理.
Compound of 債務 (debt, obligation) and 整理 (adjustment, arrangement). The term is a modern legal/financial expression.