The Five Lakes Fast Forward initiative provides a high-velocity boost to clients toward their debt-free finish line, helping them reclaim their lives much sooner.
SOUTHFIELD, MI – Five Lakes Law Group, a firm dedicated to helping consumers overcome high interest debt, is proud to announce Maria Tupas, as the latest recipient of the Five Lakes Fast Forward Giveaway.
Launched in 2025, the Five Lakes Fast Forward giveaway is designed to act as a catalyst for clients who have demonstrated immense resilience while navigating their debt resolution programs. Each month, members of the Five Lakes team nominate clients whose stories have moved them for the giveaway, and Five Lakes provides a payoff that eliminates a portion or all of the winner’s enrolled debt — effectively “fast-forwarding” them toward the finish line of their financial journey.
For Maria, a nurse and devoted mother of three grown children, the win comes on the heels of an especially difficult stretch. In a short span of time, Maria navigated the loss of her father, took on the role of primary caregiver and decision-maker for her family, and then received her own life-changing diagnosis.
“I was not prepared for this. I never realized… everything just happened so fast,” Maria said, reflecting on the whirlwind of months that led to a cancer diagnosis.
Even while caring for her family through hardship and later focusing on her own recovery from surgery, Maria continued carrying the weight of mounting credit card debt — a burden built up over years of covering medical bills and helping her children through school.
The Initial Relief: Joining the Program
Before the giveaway win, Maria first found a path forward by enrolling in her Five Lakes program, bringing her enrolled debt under a manageable, structured plan. Reducing her monthly obligations by nearly $400, the program gave Maria breathing room during a time when she needed it most.
“I kept working a lot of hours to pay the debt, and I never had any vacation,” Maria said of her life before joining Five Lakes. “I wanted to pay off my mortgage. That’s how I realized I needed to do something.”
Maria said she was initially cautious about seeking help, wary of scams targeting people in her position. What set Five Lakes apart, she said, was its reputation. She also called out the trust built on her first call: “Right there and then, when they explained everything to me, I knew I was in good hands.”
Throughout her program, Maria said she felt consistently supported by the Client Success team. “They always follow up. They’ve always been very supportive,” she said. During an especially stressful stretch while she was recovering from surgery, Maria said a team member — the same one that would soon successfully nominate her for the giveaway — went out of her way to ease her worries.
“She showed empathy. She was really sincere, and she really cared,” Maria said. “I’m so thankful.”
The ‘Fast Forward’ Win
While her program gave Maria a manageable plan, the Fast Forward giveaway is now boosting her the rest of the way to the finish line. By eliminating over $18,000 of her remaining balance, the win lifts a financial burden Maria had carried largely on her own for years — arriving at a moment when she needed relief most.
“It’s like the burden lifted off my shoulder financially,” Maria said. She called it “one thing I don’t have to worry about. It’s a big help. It’s my main priority.”
A Fresh Start
A caregiver by nature and by profession, Maria said the experience has taught her to begin turning some of that care toward herself. She has leaned on her faith and her love of gardening to find moments of peace during her recovery, and she continues to draw strength from the many people cheering her on.
“I have a lot of friends who pray for me, who supported me. I’m really grateful for that,” Maria said.
Asked to sum up what the Five Lakes Fast Forward win has meant to her, Maria didn’t hesitate.
“They gave me hope. They gave me a future. They gave me my peace of mind back,” Maria said. “I consider Five Lakes a family. They really helped me so much.”
About Five Lakes Law Group
Five Lakes Law Group is a premier debt relief law firm dedicated to helping Americans overcome the burden of high-interest debt and achieve financial freedom. Founded with the mission to provide best-in-class legal support to consumers experiencing financial hardship, the firm offers a strategic, attorney-led alternative to bankruptcy. With over $500 million in client debt paid off, Five Lakes Law Group combines one-on-one legal counsel with innovative technology — including 24/7 support and a dedicated mobile dashboard — to help clients reduce monthly payments and become debt-free within 24 to 48 months. Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, with offices in Chicago, Five Lakes Law Group is BBB accredited with an A+ rating and is committed to transparent, success-based results.