Hi C.24[:)]
I can empathize with your sister as i felt the same before xmas as i had immense stress from a few different sources as well as sheer volume of harassment from creditors,including a black Range Rover and a strange man knocking at my door just two weeks into missing a payment,it takes a lot to be able to deal with creditors yourself whilst in a delicate state of mind and you cannot think straight to deal with it and make a good decision.
I was passed to Debt Collection and a Formal notice was sent but i later find this may not be legal and that their letters are not worth the paper they are written on, but it had the desired effect at the time.I became a bit paranoid about the doors and windows being locked at all times!Afraid to move out of the house.
I have given it time and sourced all my options but i went around in [88]circles as most of the help is Do-it Yourself when you most need the help.If you aint rich it's do it yerself.[(#)]
Send all letters recorded, and take phone off the hook or look at BT's ways of not accepting calls from certain numbers, free for first month.
Demand creditors discuss in writing and complain if they ignore proposals.
[:u]Citizens Advice is often strapped for cash but may eventually do an Income & Expenditure sheet if enough energy remains to look at income and outgoings-perhaps you could help get your sister's papers together for her and then list all her stuff. the Nationaldebtline are good for guiding you through it and their website has all the forms and draft letters. They usually pass you on to Payplan or CCCS although my experience of the latter was that as they are funded by creditors they are rigid in their Income & Expenditure and would not take into account my personal circumstances as to medical costs so i never used them.
[88]I wrote holding letters to each of my creditors from CAB Advisers conversation over the phone as i couldn't be waiting in queues or going back later as i needed an app't so as i had already had phone advice i was later able to say this nad make a direct app't so by passing the system.
I still hadn't at that point in early December been able to correctly write down my income and outgoings so it was not done correctly.
It has been long and protracted and most i spoke with recommened bankruptcy but again i have personal reasons for not wanting this.
I plumped for using Nationaldebtline's advice and have a ref number if i need to phone them. I gathered advice from many sources, and took a step back from it as i had to also arrange a funeral in with it all and then deal with that persons debts!!And washing machine broke down so i had to use credit card to fund it. It was all a nightmare +funeral was 300 mile away. But i'm glad to say i resolved and wrote the debts off for the deceased.
I elected to deal with mine this way -1. Holding letters and explaining how it was making me feel i.e suicidal, and that i took my debts very seriously.
2. - my major c.c. creditor is now agreeing a £1 Token payment Without Prejudice, for six months-i now need to get the others to agree and as this is my highest debt it bodes well.I also have to get them to agree to waive the Interest and charges and also a Standing Order instead of Direct debit so i can be sure of dates.Or i won't do it. Trouble is they reserve the right to withdraw this concession at any time and demand full payment despite my circumstances but sometimes debts can become written off in the end this way. Penalties still can occur.Can't take wot you aint got tho.
3. To me this will give me a breathing space in order to try to better my situation during this period. If anyone has an idea for a website to earn money then it could be better than bankruptcy to my mind, but that is my personal choice, it's not for everyone and it requires working at it for a quite bit of time. Some would say go Bankrupt for closure.
I saw a firm of Solicitors in London called WestLondonLaw and they use ADR a dispute resolution don't know how much is charged for this but if reasonable offers are refused by creditors then it can waive the bankruptcy out of the window. 'Overriding Objectives' of the Civil Procedure Rules if creditors threaten Court action can be found at NationalDebtline sample letter K.
There is something happening out there as i saw a website called Solo and A NEW DEBT PROPOSAL and in 2008 (PAN)Pre Action Notices could be around to help people resolve debt difficulties with emphasis on stress and added cost of going to Court. DCA Dep't of Constitutional Affairs will be testing PAN's during this year and this could be up and running next year as a last action by creditors before issuing a claim.
My stuff has been ongoing since October and I had initially used a Debt Management Co called Finance Inc who had done it wrong in the amount of monies they were wanting to take off me for a DMP- I could have been doing an IVA with it-but i pulled out from the first Standing Order as when i asked for original copies of letters sent out to my creditors they got nasty and rude, and said we don't keep them, very worrying,days before funeral, so i pulled out and now i am very glad i did so as i wouldn't have had enough money to keep it going and it wouldn't have been legally binding and creditors can at any time change their minds and don't have to agree to Freeze interest.
Solicitors now only work for the Creditors as Debt Collection some used to work Pro Bono but i was told they only get £45ph using the legal aid scheme so they are no longer interested. Community Law Centres are patchy too as again it depends on funding and good management.But there may be one near you.
A good Accountancy firm locally might give good advice.Look to yellow pages.
Myvesta are ok but again it's a do-it-self- Clear Financial Solutions were very kind in their attitude but i still feel that any monies going out to someone to manage is better in your own pocket and for use to creditors. If Bankruptcy is only option then at least Myvesta give you a years support for £59 and get the bankruptcy forms checked over by experts.Insolvency.gov gives details.
Change bank accounts to another bank to a Basic one usually Nationwide, Coop just forget the other one!But not until you have put in for bankruptcy. Also go to Bank and ask for last 6 years of Bank Charges taking in £10 to get the information, i'm informed it can take about 40 days. This could go towards payment.
Sell a car and make full and final settlement to creditors.
Anyone living in a rural area even if not working could be seen as having a Basic need for car use under Bailiffs laws.
I also came across Insolvencyhelpline.co.uk that has very useful info.
It is such an individual thing and until precise circumstances are known then the best pointers are not really known.
Mine are that of Benefits and £25000 in the red.
Why not give some figures on here if your sister is willing, and encourage her to also use this site as the folks here are so kind and supportive- and the experts are great.Keep in mind it's an IVA site!! But explore options.
IVA usually needs about £258 pm approx for that amount-look to the ones on here though, if she can afford it.
I though Accuma were in some financial difficulties themselves but i could be wrong!
DMP's usually need a £100 pm. I think all the options have some drawback but it depends on circumstances and beliefs too.Would your sister be inclined to want to be in a Profession whereby bankruptcy would be frowned upon? in the future. Also i believe that Mortgages are subject to higher Interest rates after.But i for one will not ever take out credit on a credit card,OD, bank loan or store card.
This info is borne out of experiences.
I hope this helps you to help your sister[8D] good luck
razamataz_
c.24 wrote:
i am writing about my sister, who at the weekend tried to take her own life. She currently owes 23,000 in debt and this we found out is one of the major factors in her trying to attempt to take her own life. Please can you send me some advice and what can be done?!! Thank you
