Credit Score Management

Here’s the background info:
Came to the US in mid-2001, opened my first credit account shortly thereafter.
Everything was going fantastic, making ontime payments, keeping my balance low, until mid-2004 when I hit a bump on the road, which resulted in several late payments on several accounts, a couple as late as 60, 90 days.
Picked myself up a bit, but have been only able to make minimum payments. Cards are maxed out, which is the reason for my score of 580, I guess.
Have about 4K in credit card debt, which I am plotting to pay down completely within the next 3 months.
How much and how quick can I expect my score to increase? When will it reach a respectable level assuming everything goes well from now on?
Thanks in advance.

My credit score was near perfect before this and I was reported just once for a small amount of $13. I am desperate and I have no clue what this will mean to me. Please provide some resources if possible!

Ive looked through all these forums, but i have not found a complete answer. I HAVE given paypal my social sec.# before, unlike many of the cases i’ve read about. Even though paypal is not a real threat with their fake collection agencies, would they be able to hurt my credit score? If you are not absolutely positive please dont answer this. Thanks

I am selling my house (it was an investment property that I am flipping) and using the proceeds to pay off credit card debt that I have incurred while redoing the home. After the house is sold all my cards will be paid off and the only things I will have to make payments on are my car and student loan. I was wondering how long it will take the credit card companies to say the credit report of their zero balance status? Can I question the credit card companies to report the paid off status to my credit report immediately? Also should I close most of these cards or close them? How should I choose which credit cards to close and which to keep open to keep a high credit score? ( I have never had a 30 day late on any of my cards) I want to do whatever I can to improve my credit score the most.

I have to break my apartment lease. I was living separate from my husband, and we are moving with a job transfer to a different city. My credit score is about 750-800. If I break the apartment lease, it will go on my credit report. How much will this lower my score?