Like most people, you have spent a lifetime doing the right thing - struggling to pay what you owe, perhaps even being unable to provide for the medical needs or the well-being of yourself or your loved ones.

But now, you are besieged by creditors threatening to sue you and garnish your wages or seize your property.  They call you at all hours, both at home and at work. You feel your job is threatened by those intrusions.  You don’t want to answer your phone.  You’ve stopped opening your mail.  You may not be able to solve your financial problems alone.

Bankruptcy may be the solution and you need to talk to a professional about your options, to a person skilled in bankruptcy law and procedures.  You want to do it discreetly and without charge, before you make your decision.

You need to feel comfortable with the law office you choose to represent you, knowing they understand what you are going through, including the fears and uncertainties that you are experiencing.  You need to feel confident they care about how bankruptcy affects you, your career, your family and your eventual financial stability.

If you still have doubts that you need to file for bankruptcy, consider the following list of problems that may indicate that you need to seek relief from debt in Bankruptcy Court:

• My debt is more than my annual salary, not including car or home loans.
  
  
• My payments are over 25 percent of my take-home pay.
  
  
• I am frequently late on my payments.
  
  
• I buy necessary items like food, gas or clothing on credit.
  
  
• I am considering a loan to pay other loans or debts.
  
  
• My debts are increasing monthly.
  
  
• I frequently need cash advances or borrow from friends and relatives.
  
  
• I have medical bills over $5,000.
  
  
• I owe income taxes I am unable to pay.
  
  
• I am being sued.
  
  
• I pay 20 percent interest on most of my debt.
  
  
• Creditors are calling.
  
  
• I am "robbing Peter to pay Paul".
  
  
• I owe more on my car than it is worth.
  
  
• I can't afford car insurance.
  
  
• I have no savings.
  
  
• My wages are being garnished.
  
  
• I have been denied additional credit.
  
  
• My mortgage payments, or rent, is late, or behind.
  
  
• We are getting divorced and have too many bills to pay.
  
  
• Our financial difficulties are causing marital problems.

Information on how to stop wage garnishment.

Check out 12 common myths about bankruptcy.