Before heading to court, experts say, individuals should have a professional review the financial facts. The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Cincinnati (651-0111) offers free financial analysis, budgeting advice and debt management counseling.

If you answer ''yes'' to any of the following questions, you could be in financial trouble and should re-examine your priorities, budget and credit obligations.

This is not a bankruptcy quiz. Rather, these questions help identify potential financial problems.

Do you and your spouse argue over bills?

Is an increasing percentage of your income being used to pay off bills?

Are you near or at the limit of your lines of credit?

Can you only make minimum payments on your revolving charge accounts?

Are you extending repayment schedules - paying bills in 60 or 90 days that you once paid in 30?

Are you borrowing to pay for items you used to buy with cash?

Do you put off medical or dental visits because you can't afford them right now?

If you lost your job, would you be in immediate financial difficulty?

Are you threatened with the repossession of your car or credit cards, or with other legal action?

Are you unaware of your total debt?

Source: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Cincinnati