Please please please help

[withoutapaddle]

not sure if this is in the right place and as taken along time for me to find the courage to write this and after been very silly and almost ending my life i feel i need help more than ever, but realise now no debt is worth a life.

over the past few years i have racked up 25k of debts, i had a decent job but it spiralled out of control and i was doing ok on a dmp (even though i often didnt have the spare amount they budgeted for) with the cccs just before november i was badly assaulted at work (worked with ex offenders) and could no longer go to work i stupidly used my rent money to keep up to date with the dmp as i just wanted to pay back this debt. as i had no money coming in and rent going on the dmp i was asked to leave and made homeless at the end of december.

im now living in a spare room of a mates house and pay 50 pound a week to him i have just started a new job but it is low pay and i have given token payments but very low ones to my 3 creditors, i need to find somewhere to live urgently and trying to save a deposit and months rent, all my creditors are now calling and threatening to give my info to a debt collector, i have got all my mail going to my parents address and the creditors think i live there even though i have informed them im of no fixed address, my parents have no idea of my situation and my friends and partner think i left my last place as i didnt get on with the housemates,

i can not and will not have my parents finding out of the mess and shameful situation i am in

im 29 no house and the only thing i own is a car worth 500 quid which i have to use to get to work, i know if i try get an iva might end up in the same situation and then have to go br anyway so should i just go br. if so what happens if i cant afford to declare myself br. do i have to wait for the debt collectors to call and take me to court to declare br.

at the moment im just trying to get back on my feet and if i had another month i could start the dmp up again but im getting called twice a day by all 3 creditors demanding i pay them.

my relationship is going to pot because of all the stress and im too ashamed to admit what mess im in to my gf, she keeps saying now your getting a job lets look at houses and mortgages i know i have to tell her but i need to know where i stand the cccs have been very vaige and wont tell me what is best they just say these are the opptions

please any advice would be great

yours very confused and very scared

[sjw]

hi , some one will correct me if im wrong but i think that you can get help with the 495 bankrutcy fee if you can not afford it, it sounds as if you have had a terrible time , a least if you do go br you can start afresh and put it all behind you , im sure some of the experts will be able to help you good luck and your right no matter what the debt your health is no 1 please look after yourself first and best wishes
sue x

[withoutapaddle]

Thanx sue

the last thing i want to do is claim br but if you can get help with the fee that would be great

[withoutapaddle]

P.S

if i do go br will i keep my basic natwest account that i set up on my dmp or will they freeze it and i have to find another

[sjw]

ive just completed the online br forms today, it was something ive put off for months and ive got to admit i feel happier than for long time as i feel im finally going to see an end to it all. i have been told that i do not have enough disposable income for iva and br my best option, and having read many of the post on this site i really dont think its a bad as first thought not that i would have thought in a million years i would have ever gone br ,but enough is enough.
sue x

[sjw]

i believe that you can keep your basic account along as its not with someone you owe money too
sue x

[Adam Davies]

Hi
It is clear that you need to draw a line under your debts,you have paid a heavy price already losing your house.
Bankruptcy looks the best option to you so it's a matter of getting the money together[£485,reduced if you are on benefits]
Here is some information on charitable trusts who may give grants for bankruptcy fees and other financial help which I hope will be of some assistance (You will usually need the assistance of an experienced money adviser to apply).

The British Gas Energy Trust & EDF
www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
01733 421021

Royal British Legion
www.britishlegion.org.uk
08457 725 725

South Staffordshire Water Trust Fund
www.south-staffs-water.co.uk
01922 63 82 82

Anglian Water Trust Fund
www.awtf.org.uk
01733 421 021

United Utilities Trust Fund
www.uutf.org.uk
0845 179 1791

Severn Trent Trust Fund
www.sttf.org.uk
0121 355 77 66

Yorkshire Water Community Trust
www.ywct.org.uk
0845 1 24 24 26

There are a number of trade unions which we believe also give assistance.
Your basic acount should be fine,just remove any funds the day before bankruptcy[you need this money to live on]as it will be frozen,however the account should be unfrozen once the OR states that he/she has no interest in it
Good luck

[Soulgrowth]

Hello withoutapaddle

I am no expert but it would certainly seem as BR would be the most sensible option. Is there any way though that you could set up some living arrangements before going BR ... although it should still be possible to rent after BR I believe that you will probably have to put up a few months rent in advance. It would also be sensible to look for a private landlord as they are less likely to run a credit check.

With the help of everyone here I would establish a a plan of action now as this will put you back in control of things. I would stop paying your creditors even token payments if part of the plan is for BR as you can better use this money for your BR fees and putting towards your rent.

If you can, I would also confide in those close to you about your situation ... there is no shame in it at all, indeed you are being honourable and showing responsibility in addressing your debt situation ... so be proud of yourself ... and keep in touch with the Forum to let us know how you are getting on.

The very best of luck

Debbie

[chris.g]

Hiya Withoutapaddle and welcome.
I do agree with you that NO debt is worth your life and you must remember that when you are feeling low.
If you decide on br you may qualify for the court fee to be waived, however you will have to pay the Official Reveiver's deposit which I think is £350.
As you have no assets it is unlikely that any of your creditors will file br against you.
To enter into an IVA you will have to have a regular permanant income.
You will also need to get a basic bank acc set up.
There is nothing shameful in the situation you are in, you have tried to repay your debts with a dmp but sadly, this has gone off the rails.
If you can summons up the courage to tell your g'friend and your parents it will be a huge relief to you. You can find more info on bankrupty here,
http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/
and of course you can ask on here.
try not to worry, your problem can be sorted out. [:)]

[Skippy]

Hi Withoutapaddle, as you say no debt is worth your life - there is a way out. Like Andy says, BR will draw a line under your debts and give you the opportunity to have a fresh start. BR isn't as bad as people things - I was discharged from BR yesterday and I survived the year.

Regarding your bank account - you may be able to keep it, but it's down to the bank. I have heard various things about Natwest - some people have been able to keep their accounts and others haven't. I can recommend the Co-op Cashminder account - it comes with a Visa Electron card and internet and telephone banking.

Regarding telling your family and friends - I have been up front with my family and friends and they have all been very supportive. It made it so much easier than going through it on my own. I'm not saying tell everyone, but do you have a friend or family member you can confide in for support?

Good luck, keep positive and please keep posting and ask as many questions as you need.

[withoutapaddle]

Thanx all

wish i had done this weeks ago even now it feels a little weight is off my shoulders. i cant believe that you can be in debt and still unable to afford to go bankrupt.

The more i have read on here the more i think br is the only opption im temping at the moment and pay is not a regular amount its when work is available and then as many hours as i can physically work so an iva wouldnt work for me

i guess i just need to have the courage to tell some close family members and my gf as if my account is froze i will need to have my pay paid into somewhere.

thanx for all the help so far, will call cccs tomorrow and get some concrete guidance or at least an idea of what kind of proffesional body i need to call

[Skippy]

I must admit I found that bit ironic as well - I was up to my eyes in debt and had to find nearly £500 to go BR!!!

[chris.g]

I'll second that....you're in debt trouble because you have no money BUT it costs you money to file for br! It was nearly £1000 for me & hubby, made me nearly cry when we handed it over, but it is a means to an end.
Pleased you seem to feel a bit more hopeful about your situation and I will say again, you have NOTHING to feel ashamed about! Take pride in the fact that you have already tried to sort your debt out and now you are looking for another way. Take care and keep us informed about what cccs say tomorrow,
xx

[mish1953]

Congratulations on your discharge Skippy

Mish

[Skippy]

Cheers Mish, it feels good!