If you're searching around the internet trying to figure out how to fix your credit you're probably feeling overwhelmed! Forums, podcasts, blogs, expert authors create a cluttered slew of information.

You need credit repair results - not promises. That's exactly what I was feeling six months ago before I enrolled in Lexington Law - who deleted 98% of my bad credit and improved my credit score 170+ points. (They did all of this inside of six months).

Managing Your Credit Repair Expectations: If you have a low credit score or even a mediocre credit score you are right to take action to improve it. It is possible to have negative items deleted from your credit report. Be prepared for a long road of frustration, waiting and sometimes disappointment.

Facing the truth about your financial habits can be painful. Having patience and humility are must have qualities to take on this endeavor.

How to Dispute - and DELETE - negative credit items: The first thing you want to do is dispute the negative item with the three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. You should do this by MAIL - NOT online.

They must receive a response from the creditor who is reporting a delinquency on your credit report. It is your right to ask them to investigate the delinquency and they only have 30 days to do so. Their delay combined with creditor ambivalence is usually why negative credit is deleted for you.

More often than you might think, the credit bureaus do not respond to your request in a timely manner and they are forced by law to remove the derogatory item from your credit report.

Negotiate to delete negative credit: I know, negotiations can be intimidating. However, it is a must if the dispute letter doesn't get you the results you're seeking.

If the creditor has proven this is your debt it is time to negotiate. All of your correspondence from this moment on must be in writing. You should also mail the letters via certified mail through the postal service.

Ask the creditor if you repay the debt if they will remove the negative mark on your credit report. If the creditor thinks there is a chance for you to repay the debt they are more likely to work with you on the terms of the repayment.

Debt Negotiation - Advanced: No one is going to delete a validated debt for you unless it's paid. You can possibly negotiate a lesser sum and you can negotiate a payment plan instead of paying the debt in full. Again, all of these terms should be in writing.

If they won't play ball, then it's time to bring out the big guns. You'll have to use the Debt Validation technique. This is more advanced but effective if done properly. It is like putting the full court press on the collection agency.

Again, it is more advanced than what the guys posting on forums tell you. There are time limits and the letter must be drafted properly. Again, I used the folks over at Lexington Law who forced the collection agency into deleting all my negative credit. Here's the direct debt validation hotline at Lexington Law: 1-866-246-7311.

Seek help: There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help regarding negative credit. In fact, it's often the most responsible thing to do. - Especially if you have more than one derogatory item affecting your credit score.

By all means, try disputing a few negative items if you like…just watch out that the bureaus don't "Red Flag" your file. If you get stuck like I did, consider Lexington Law. They helped me get the much needed help I deserved.