Before I had to go down the route of Bankruptcy, i initially went to the CAB, who told me there was no other option but an IVA for me. They recommended a company called Grant Thornton, and i got the feeling they referred people to them on a regular basis.
I personally did not like the advice given, as they were trying to put me off a dmp and br (which i now believe is because of all the fees they would have made)....i wasnt even given the pros and cons of each.
People have differing experiences with any companies and you are never going to have a 'one solution fits all'.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Visit www.iva.com for recommendations of appropriate firms who will go over all the options whether DMP/IVA/Bankruptcy for example - their advice will be free and discuss with two or three and get a feel as to who you would be happy with. Good luck.
Regards, David Mond, Insolvency Practitioner for over 46 years. Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year 2012, Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year finalist 2013 & 2014 awarded by Insolvency & Rescue Magazine and 2015 finalist for Personal Insolvency Firm of the Year.
I am with DFD and have found them pretty good for the last two years - until now. They have been very slow to respond to me about what is quite a serious problem! I have phoned, e-mailed, sent letters and they just haven't replied! If I could go back I would probably have chosen a smaller company.
Also when my husband lost his job I went to the CAB and mentioned about the iva and not bieng able to pay it and the advisor told me to just stop paying them and gave me a leaflet to call Payplan. I don't think she really knew what an iva was to be honest.
Smaller can often be best - where the IP affords a personal service to their clients, and you end up dealing with the same people every time. There is a lot to be said for this level of service.
I think you are right Melanie. Big firms are ok as long as there are no problems, we are with Payplan and have had no problems yet. Once you need to contact them seems to be when communications breakdown.
If I had discovered this site sooner, I would certainly have a smaller firm.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Small is always beautiful - Posters looking for IVA providers have hundreds of smaller firms who will be willing to offer a good service. Always shop around and seek advice or recommendations.
Regards, David Mond, Insolvency Practitioner for over 46 years. Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year 2012, Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year finalist 2013 & 2014 awarded by Insolvency & Rescue Magazine and 2015 finalist for Personal Insolvency Firm of the Year.
You need to evaluate any insolvency practice by the IP serving them like doctors or lawyers in their practice. Its their professional practioning that you are relying on.The rest of the set up are just the 'furniture' of the business
How an IP maybe better than another is unknown as all are qualified. Markss post on his 11 pence/£ IVA acceptance would be a good qualifier for me amongst other indicators like 'after sell service' etc. I can't think of an IVA rejected because of the IP's conduct.
Last edited by kalla on Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
At the end of the day, it is what suits an individual. Unless you have personal recommendation of an IP through visiting such a site as this, or knowing someone who has used a certain practise and is happy, you have to trust to your own judgement.
All IP's come across as being wonderful initially, it is only when you are tied in that problems sometimes start. People will grab at any lifeline when they are desperate.
You will never alter this.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Most IP's are qualified unless they were grandfathered in after the 1986 Insolvency Act.
The beauty of using one is that if their work or service is not up to generally acceptable standards you can report them to their professional and/or licensing body. Rest assured an IP does not like to be reported. Sometimes a threat can start an immediate impetus to improve relationships. OFT are also a port of call as is your local Trading Standards Office. IP's in the main go through a lot of training and in respect of proposing Protocol Compliant IVA's a lot more due dilligence work has to be done otherwise creditors will report them to their professional body if they are not doing their job correctly.
It is sometimes sad that a debtor will usually on approaching the first firm they hit on go with that firm rather than shop around. This Forum and looking at reviews on www.iva.com are good points of reference and also seeing whether the firm is a member of the Debt Resolution Forum are all good guides.
In the end it is what the debtor feels and how comfortable they are with the person they are dealing with.
Last edited by David Mond on Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Regards, David Mond, Insolvency Practitioner for over 46 years. Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year 2012, Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year finalist 2013 & 2014 awarded by Insolvency & Rescue Magazine and 2015 finalist for Personal Insolvency Firm of the Year.
Great Skippy13 - small does give the benefit of personal service. Michael, whilst I accept in practice it is the IP (probably a member of his/her staff) that prepares and drafts the proposal - it is the debtors' and there is nothing stopping the debtor preparing a proposal himself for submission to his Nominee (an IP).
Last edited by David Mond on Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
Regards, David Mond, Insolvency Practitioner for over 46 years. Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year 2012, Personal Insolvency Practitioner of the year finalist 2013 & 2014 awarded by Insolvency & Rescue Magazine and 2015 finalist for Personal Insolvency Firm of the Year.
