can I count my horse in my monthly outgoings

[janis.a]

hello
can I count my horse(who I would never sell) in my monthly outgoings at about £150pm
Many thanks

[BlueShoes]

Hello
You would like to think so, but I am not sure whether it will be classed as a luxury. I can't count swimming lessons for my children, so I guess a horse might not be favourably viewed.
I am not an expert, I'm sure one of the forum experts will clarify for you.
Blue

[zoe]

Hi There
I would say that this was a luxury and i cannot see the creditors agreeing to spending that much on that. I know that creditors really scrutinise income and expenditure and try and squeeze as much as they can from you.
Hope this helps


Zoe
x
Keep your chin up - everything happens for a reason!
View my blog http://zoes.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[MelanieGiles]

I would have thought that this would be OK - never had creditors say a client had to return a horse before. Make sure that this is adequatelu explained within the IVA document though, and if creditors turn you down go bankrupt - don't worry the horse will be safe under bankruptcy proceedings.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

For further details contact me at http://www.melaniegiles.com and view my IVA blog at: http://melaniegiles.blogs.iva.co.uk

[BlueShoes]

Hi Melanie
Could I ask how a horse may be allowed, but swimming lessons for the children not? There seems such inequity in what constitutes "reasonable" living expenses. We are aware that as our outgoings are already fairly high, swimming lessons might be the last straw as far as our creditors are concerned, but I do think that learning to swim is an important life skill (confidence, regular exercise, social occasion, achievement) They cost us £9 a week (£3 each child) We have already stopped music lessons, football and play gym.(I agree they were doing a lot) Hubby and I have also both stopped attending our respective "clubs" (one sport, one music)
Would appreciate your thoughts
Regards
Blue

[mish1953]

Wow - sounds like a tricky one
Is the horse an Asset or a pet ?
I guess it depends on your attachment to the horse.

?

[Adam Davies]

Hi
I would class a horse as a pet and as such an allowance should be allowed.
I can,t see any creditor refusing a reasonable amount for it,s upkeep.
regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

[monday s expert]

"I can't count swimming lessons for my children"

thats disgusting - I suppose being an Aussie I would consider swimming lessons an essential part of life...

Just wait to (GOD Forbid) somebody's kid drowns then they sue the IP for not allowing swimming lessons - I would certainly appeal that decision if that was against me.

Good luck - just my 2 pence worth

Monday Exp...

[jane.l]

I have been thinking about this a lot, as I have 2 cats, but they are pedigee British Shorthairs. One cost £300 and the other £450. They cost about £45 per month for both of them to keep, this includes insurance, cat litter and food,and worming and fleaing, etc.

On my bankruptcy form, I am just going to put down PETs and not specify about them. I am now worried the OR may see them as an asset?? If I just put down pet, is there any way they check up?? There is just NO WAY we would even consider getting rid of them! We had a load of trouble trying to find a rented house as most don't take pets but we persevered and found one!

[MelanieGiles]

Hi Blueshoes

I am sure that if you speak to your IP, they will confirm that swimming lessons have actually been included in your proposals. However, it is the creditors ultimate decision as to what is reasonable, and not the IPs.

Jane - your cats will be safe under bankruptcy proceedings.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

For further details contact me at http://www.melaniegiles.com and view my IVA blog at: http://melaniegiles.blogs.iva.co.uk

[iva experts]

It is a tough situation as £150pm X 12mth X 5yrs = £9,000 more that the creditors could get back.

I would be interested to know what your I.P says in regards to this.

Best Regards. IVA Experts

[Adam Davies]

Hi
It all depends what a reasonable amount is classed as.
The problem that I can see is that if the creditors refuse point blank about the horse then Janis would have to sell the horse or give it away.If the horse is a childs horse I can see the papers getting hold of a story like this........bad press for the banks.
Certainly an interesting one and I can see Blueshoes point ref the swimming.
Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

[scaredkez]

hi i put my cats expenditure down in my BR and it wasn't questioned, the OR did not allow the football clubs for the boys, they said this had to come out of my surplus or expenditure, i agree with blue shoes in regards to the swimming lessons when you have the government going on about obese children and we as parents should be encouraging them to do active sports to stay fit and healthy, so we are not using up valuable NHS appointments with obesity problems, so was quite a bit shocked when they refused the clubs, i suppose tho the lists of activities could go on and on, the only good thing is my I+e for BR is a lot better so squeeze what i can out of that to enable the kids to carry on as normal life as possible.
kerri

Please view my blog at: http://scaredkez.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[BlueShoes]

Hello
I am relieved to hear that swimming lessons are ok to include in the proposal. Let's hope the creditors view this expense sympathetically.
Kerri- I agree that keeping the kids' lives as normal as possible is important, and as mine have already had to stop attending other things, I think their swimming lessons are really important.
I will let you know what the creditors think following our meeting, which should be happening soon.
Regards
Blue