The best bet is when you get the first letter in the mail asking you to pay your bill is to write the lender or creditor and explain your situation politely and ask for an extension on payments. The truth is most creditors that lend or extend you credit hope that you are a returning customer and only suffering temporarily. 

If you can keep the creditors on your side this is your best solution for avoiding complications. Another suggestion is to send in minimal payments on current bills that are overdue. Your next bill will be steep but if you keep sending minimal payments until you are caught up, your name will not go in a credit bureau. If creditors recommend that you send payment immediately to avoid hassles, disregard the creditor. The creditor is doing nothing more but adding more expense to your debt. If you have a bill and have money to make payment tell the creditor that you will send the money through regular mail immediately. Do not waste money on services that will charge you to send a bill. 

If you contact the creditors and they simply deny you the opportunity to extend your debt or ask for proof of your situation, it is time to make contact with a Debt Counselor. The Debt Counselor will work on your behalf to resolve the issue. Do not argue or use foul language when you are addressing your debts, since this will only add more problems. If you have a bill, more than the time allowed for pay it is important that you DO NOT contact the creditors or collection agencies. 

This is only letting the agencies know that you realize you owe the debt.