If you have gotten so you don't answer the phone because you know it will be someone trying to collect money from you and you haven't got it to pay them, if you stopped opening your mail because you know it will be some bill or other demanding payment then you may want to check into credit counseling .

It may not even be that bad yet, but you know it's coming, so you need to have some help deciding which method of handling the program will work best for you and your family. 

There are a number of different options, counseling, debt settlement, debt management and of course bankruptcy, but if you follow the advice of a counseling service that actually helps you it may not be too late to impact the future.

Going to a credit counseling service will show up on your credit report, but, let's face it.  If your having problems getting credit it may actually help to show that you have taken steps to correct the problem.  It won't look at bad as bankruptcy and doesn't impact your credit for as long.

There are services that are free that you can do if you have the will power to go it alone, but if you need some direction then check for those that have a charge that is reasonable, around $50 first fee and then a small monthly fee.

Patience and fiscal responsibility are critical in managing your debt load.  You won't be going out and buying expensive toys and not paying your utility bills.  You will need to have a budget and stick to it.  If you don't know how to do a budget then the counseling service will help you.  Some of the things that you wanted to have will just have to wait while the priorities are taken care of.  Hard to face, but it's the way it is.