Wow, I was away for 2 months in rehab and just ignored all bill collectors...still do ..can't get blood from a stone... If i have to claim bankrupcy than so be it... The little money I do have is going to lawyers in a child custody case...You were sick..period...if you had open heart surgery and was in the hospital and couldn't pay bills so what....You could also go down to social services for public assistancce and food stamps like i had to do if things are bad....MONEY IS MONEY...just breathe....and i agree with the aformentioned responses...some lawyers do give free consultations and maybe a bankrupcy lawyer isn't a bad idea...not your fault.  Goood LUck!!!