Hello

[stressed_suzanne]

Hello. I found this website yesterday and have spent near enough all day on here.

We looked at an IVA a few months ago, but felt that the 2500 pounds that the company wanted up front a bit excessive, so didn't do anything about it.

We are up to our eyes in debt. Has steadily got worse over the past few years. I have used up all our reserves and we have got to the point that we have to do something.

So looks like I'll be spending the weekend going through all the paperwork I've been avoiding!

Suzanne

[michael.t47]

good luck with it suzanne, i 90% there with paperwork

[MelanieGiles]

Hi Suzanne and welcome to the forum

No reputable company would charge you £2,500 up front - which firm was this as a matter of interest?

I suggest you shop around to find a firm that will not charge up front fees - there are many around with good reputations. The first thing is to have a chat with an insolvency practitioners to see what options you have - and IVA may be one but it will not be the only one.

I have written a blog about "Choosing an Advisor" which you may find useful.

[michael.t47]

forgot to mention melanie and her team are excellent

[suzanne100268]

I contacted 3 IP firms before deciding on Melanie's team. It was Melanie's personal approach and empathy that swayed me! My iva was approved last week and I can wholeheartedly recommend Melanie and her team. Good luck

[stressed_suzanne]

Hi Michael, how long has it taken you to get to nearly sorting out the paperwork? I was hoping to get that part of it done this weekend!

Melanie, I'll find out the name. His card is around somewhere! What he offered was preparing everything and the an IP takes over once the IVA has been approved. But he said that if his bill wasn't paid before it was finalised then his fees would also be liable to the IVA. He suggested we pay 250 a week. That was the decider for us, if we had 250 spare a week we wouldn't quite be at the point of no return!

Thanks Suzanne, seems Melanie is very well thought of on here

[MelanieGiles]

There is only one person who can prepare your IVA proposal - and that is an IP themselves! Was he suggesting that he did all the work and then passed your IVA proposal to an IP?

[stressed_suzanne]

Yes, he definately said he would prepare the paperwork, but then we would be looked after by an IP as he wasn't certified to, and then the IP would take their fees out of the monthly sum. So I must admit I assumed that's how every case worked, not knowing any different until I found this site.

[MelanieGiles]

Would be keen to know who this was and which IP firm you were going to be forwarded to.

[stressed_suzanne]

Will look his name out over the weekend but I *think* his name was John Moran. He never mentioned which IP firm would take over. I must admit I didn't contact them, they cold-called after I had a CCJ, that'll teach me!

[moretolife]

when we first thought of Iva...the people we first called...they also wanted a fair bit up front..think it was 1500.00...we just shelved the idea for another 8mths and of course continued to mount up more

we eventually rang one i saw in the local paper...who then passed us to another because i am self employed...i did notice that there is a fee going to the one who referred us on....this is on one of the documents and comes out of the payments ...i guess this is like a "finders " fee or the like
but if i had found this website before i would have been better equipped in the beginning...

stressed suzannekeep pressing through

[Lisa2009]

Suzanne, if you shop around you will find that a lot of firms will not charge any up front fees. The only thing you MAY be asked for is one month contribution just as a token of good will to your creditors. You would probably then get that back should your proposal be refused.

Have a look at www.iva.com
You will find reviews on different IP's which may help.

Melanie is well worth a call. Theres lots on this forum that are with her team and probably lots more that wish they had chosen her.

Good luck and keep posting xxxxx

[Viki.W]

Hey Suzanne, just wanted to welcome you to the forum and say hi. [:)]

I really would recommend you give Melanie a call, definately no huge upfront fees involved.

You are in a great place for support and advice so keep posting. X

[angela18]

hi suzanne we are with melanie and will pay our 5th payment on 1st.. couldn't recommend her more.. her team are lovely as is she.. give her a try.

[facingittogether]

hi suzanne and welcome!

i know you must be feeling sressed at the moment but alot of us on here have been where you are now! but believe me there will be a way forward, there was for us and we were up to our eyes in it!

our ip is melanie giles and i can honestly recommend her and her team!

good luck, keep posting as we are all here to support you!

love barb x