Utah had the 7th highest increase nationwide in bankruptcies last year.

Here in Utah, consumer bankruptcy filings, increased 32-point-7 percent last year. That's on top of a 16-percent increase, the year before. That's an increase of more than 50-percent in the last two years here in Utah.

News Specialist Shelley Osterloh reports there are many reasons for the increase:

Consumer debt is the number one reason for bankruptcies in Utah--people who don't control spending and get too deeply in debt. The second reason: expensive medical problems with inadequate or no insurance.

Utah Bankruptcy officials say newly divorced mothers are the fastest growing segment of our community to file bankruptcy, but many people in their early 20's find themselves in financial trouble too.

Scott McCagno/CEO Consumer Credit Counseling Service: ((IT'S BECAUSE OF THE AVAILABILTY OF CREDIT AND POPULARITY OF BANKRUPTCY. AND THEY FEEL LIKE THAT'S A PANACEA OF PROBLEM SOLVING AND THEY DO NOT REALIZE THEY ARE CHECKING THEMSELVES OUT OF THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE FOR 20 YEARS.))

22 year old Robert Essex filed bankruptcy two years ago. He had a low-paying job, car payments, insurance, child support and maxxed credit cards.

Robert Essex/Filed for Bankruptcy: ((THAT'S WHAT I FIGURED I HAD TO DO TO GET OUT. I DIDN'T THINK OF ANY OTHER OPTIONS.))

He filed chapter 13, a plan in which he makes partial payment to his creditors. Now, Robert works at the Consumer Credit Counselling Service where he's learned to control his spending and manage a budget. But he says, at age 22, he won't be able to get good credit for years.

((OSTERLOH: SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW IF YOU WANT TO BUY A HOUSE..OR A CAR? ESSEX: JUST HAVE TO WAIT, FOR EVERYTHING TO CLEAR UP... DROP OFF MY CREDIT RIGHT NOW I'M JUST LIVING THE BLUE COLLAR LIFE, WORKING AND PAYING RENT. AS FAR AS CREDIT GOES.. I CAN'T GET CREDIT ANYWHERE.))

Experts say too many people file bankruptcies before checking out other options.

There are a number of financial advisors who can give advice. If you want more information you can call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 566-0800. The first counseling session is free and then there's a nominal monthly fee.