OT-Credit Questions....

Just pulled a credit report for my brother and myself. I had been helping him and I have been finishing up getting myself all set--answers to the following would be GREAT

--He has 1 credit card left. It shows as charge off amount of $1578. The balance/Amount past due of $2776. The comments read charged off account. Account closed by credit grantor.
What should happen to this account?? Should he try and pay it all off?? A few months ago he had a chance to pay half to "settle it".
I had heard don't settle. But is this better than $0?? He can't pay it all now.
How long does this stay on record when paid in full or settled??

--How long do past dues but then paid up--stay on your record??

--His FICO score is 595. How much improvement can he expect by
a)gettting his student loan caught up(he already has paid and is caught up) but FICO does not reflect yet.
b)paying off the credit card or "settling" it as per advice above.

What FICO scores are needed to not have to worry??
If he gets caught up with the above--what FICO scores are needed to get a mortgage??

I never looked at my scores closely until recently when he had problems and don't know the exact ways to correct either.
Thanks
WWhno:

I suggest you check out a website that is all about credit & has many people there to help & support any credit issues. The forum is a great place.

http://www.creditboards.com

if it is charged off he already has a r9 on his credit from that, doesnt really matter at this point if he pays except for moral reasons, also other lenders may ask him to pay it before they lend to him