17 years on

MattMattMattUK

The best recommendation I can make is that you get yourself over to the Debt Free Wannabee board on this site. Post a statement of affairs and there are many posters who will help you work things out, how to optimise repayments, how to reduce expenditure, how to make a little extra etc. 

Also, as others have mentioned, with the age of your defaults they will have long fallen off of your credit records so it does not make that much sense that you are still on as high a rates as you say you are. It would be worth getting copies of your and your husbands credit reports to have a look through them and make sure something has not been missed.

As you are both on good incomes remortgaging, even with debt, should be possible unless you have almost no equity, so it would be worth dealing with a broker who specialises in adverse credit. There are some on the mortgage forum and you can approach them for help and advice, just a note that they are not allowed to approach you, so you will have to make the first move.

Finally, and please do not take this as a negative, but have you looked after your own mental health as well? The way you write makes it seem you are a little overwhelmed and worn down and caring for someone with mental health issues, the fallout from that, the debt and trying to rebuild can take its toll on anyone, even the most resilient. You may find a good plan helps you see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you should also give yourself a pat on the back for having to to where you have.

stebiz

Help me out on this one please. 
You had debts 17 years ago that are defaulted - which will be off your credit file
You have a secured loan on the house from 17 years ago -but your house has little equity.
This doesn't sound right.