Personal debt (of which a substantial amount is credit card and unsecured loans) in the UK stood at a staggering £1,457 billion at the end of January 2010 and someone, somewhere, is declared bankrupt or insolvent every five minutes. These cold statistics dont come close to telling the full story of the real casualties of debt.

All the latest research shows that being in debt can dramatically affect family life. On average, 78% of people surveyed about debt worries say that being in debt affects relationships within their family and 75% say that being in debt has had a serious effect on their health. As many as 88% say that they are kept awake at night worrying about debt. That situation is made worse as the same surveys find that serious debt issues are often ignored for as long as nine months before something happens which finally triggers action. The cause of these epiphanies can include divorce, the real threat of repossession or a visit from a bailiff, job loss or being made redundant, or a serious health problem.

Because most peoples experience of dealing with a serious debt problem is virtually non-existent, when they do decide to go for help, most simply dont know where to turn. Many look to the Citizens Advice Bureau, but this government funded and volunteer-staffed organisation is overloaded given the depth of the current credit crisis. Its advisers are faced with more than 7,000 new debt problems each day. So, is there anyone left to turn to?

Families in debt desperately need timely, honest, straightforward advice. There are some shall we say less than reputable companies in market offering questionable advice with their own commercial gain uppermost in their minds. Guardian Financial Group and its sister company Credit issues have been at the forefront of preaching and practicing the very highest professional standards - they are regulated by the Ministry of Justice and making use of their own highly qualified, in-house legal team to ensure success.

In a lot of cases there are relatively straightforward solutions to serious debt problems. If the debt is on credit cards or unsecured loans that were taken out before 6th April 2007, it may even be possible to have the amount completely written off! Credit Issues recently challenged a clients credit card balance of over £16,000 due to some inaccuracies in the administration procedure of the lending institution. The debt had been sold to a debt recovery agency after the client fell behind with his payments. A certain about of his debt was found to be covered by professional indemnity insurance also. After examining the agreement Credit Issues was successful in removing the debt and was able to clear the entire balance of £16,029.50. In the first three months of 2009, Credit Issues has challenged well over a £1 million worth of consumer debt and is experiencing unparalleled demand for its full on-site specialist legal team.

Other solutions may be as simple as writing to your creditors, using debt management or IVAs, consolidating the debt or even bankruptcy. There will always be an answer that can return family life back to normal. Putting unsecured debts into a debt management programme can free up more income and let you start regaining control of your debts. The increasingly popular IVA route will leave you debt free' at the end of 60 months and a similar solution, called a Protected Trust Deed, is available in Scotland. If you run a small business that has been struggling and found itself in serious debt, your business insurance company may be able to help out with this.

You just need to work out which is the best solution for you and be assured that the advice you are getting is correct, professional and effective. So dont bury your head in the sand and choose to address your debt worries sooner rather than later. With a comprehensive plan in place and light at the end of the tunnel youll be able to get back to a normal and happier family life, free from worry and stress.