The goal of debt restructuring is to improve the borrower's financial status by reforming the borrower's outstanding debt commitments. In most cases, this means renegotiating the terms of the borrower's existing loans to make them more manageable, such as by extending the repayment duration, lowering the interest rate, or altering the repayment schedule. Restructuring debt is done so that payments can be made on time and the borrower can stay out of default or bankruptcy. Working with a financial counselor or debt restructuring specialist can be helpful in this process, as can engaging in negotiations with creditors or lenders to obtain a favorable settlement.