Does anyone have any experience/insight to share on reducing credit card debt? Mom is over $15k in credit card debt. I have heard and read that, if you cannot afford to pay the balances or even the minimums, you can hold out and not pay for several months and finally, the collection agencies will negotiate lower balances with you.

Mom does not have enough to pay off the cards and does not have enough income to pay the balances. She couldn't even make it work if the balances were lowered drastically. With her retirement funds practically nil, she is mostly living on social security and part time wages. The part time wages won't last forever obviously because she is 77 yrs old.
She has $10k that she can use for paying credit cards, emergencies and taxes. I'd like to get the credit cards down to $4000 - about 25% of the balances if possible. Is this crazy? Thoughts? Thanks!

Skystar