Reality television doesn't pay as well as one would imagine.

Well, at least that's what Lynn Curtin says. Curtin, 51, is a reality star on the "Real Housewives of Orange County," a Bravo reality show that depicts the lives of suburban housewives.

Says Curtin, "Most people think we get $100,000 an episode -- that's not us. I wish it was."

Indeed, Curtin and her husband face debt in the millions, including a $1.26 million court judgment from a real-estate development dispute, their bankruptcy attorney said earlier last month.

The Curtins' financial problems make for good reality television and have been part of the television show. They have suffered four evictions since 2007 and their financial troubles are heavily rooted in the slowdown of the economy and incidentally, the slowdown in Frank Curtin's construction business.

San Diego bankruptcy attorneys are seeing similar activity throughout the county, as seemingly wealthier individuals are now rushing to the bankruptcy courts in search of bankruptcy protection.

In many bankruptcy cases involving wealthier individuals, Chapter 13 is the debtor's bankruptcy of choice, as it allows the debtor to remain in the property. A Chapter 13 is merely a repayment plan, authorized by the court, at the end of which the debtor is essentially free of the debts.

Chapter 7 bankruptcies are sometimes ruled out by wealthier individuals, simply because many of them fail the "means test", which places an income cap on individuals who want to declare a Chapter 7.

Of course, bankruptcy is usually the last resort and such higher-income earning individuals have other options, such as the opportunity for debt negotiation and credit counseling.