In 2005 my former spouse left me. There was no money, but there was debt -- in my name. (Thank God in our short marriage we never mingled credit.)
I attempted to negotiate lower payments with the credit card companies but they told me I had to default before they would work with me. Stupidly, I contacted one of those "debt help" places and screwed myself up even further by having one larger debt go into collections.
Came to my senses and enlisted CCCS (Consumer credit counseling Services) to help me get things straightened out.