www.iva.co.uk

What is my options? Is it time for bankruptcy?

Here is the situation. I owe roughly £12,585 on credit cards, catalogues and outstanding payments. These debts came about BEFORE I met my partner. I used to have a full time job and was able to at least pay the minimum amount. I am now in a situation that I am not working, no one wants to employ me as I am 23 weeks pregnant. I am living with my partner and we are trying to survive on his weekly wage of £500.00. This is simply not enough to pay rent, bills etc as well as my debts.

I've applied for help with our rent etc but even IF we get help with this it still does not cover our costs.

I have absolutely nothing to my name. We have a car in the household but it is in my partners name. If I was to file for bankruptcy or a debt relief order would they take his income and assets into consideration as well as my own or would it be based on my circumstances alone? Please - any advice would be so thankfully received. I don't know where to turn. I've tried calling 'debt help' companies but they are all asking for money to help and I have nothing at all. Thankyou for your help.

Hi Kate and welcome to the forum.

Your partners income should not be taken into account for your debts as he has not benefited from them.

I think a DRO might be a good idea for you as long as your disposable income is less than £50 per month which it sounds as though it is.

However, I would take professional advice about this. Visit www.iva.com for a list of companies and reviews and give one or two a ring for some free and impartial advice. There will be a solution out there for you.

Hope everything goes ok with the baby.

Hi there. Just to emphasise what Kallis has said -- try to have a word with a compnay or two at iva.com.

Unlike some of the companies ( some of whom, it seems, you have already contacted) advertising, those on iva.com will not ask for money up front. Their advice is free ans they can point you in the right direction.

Hi Kate

This does look like a classic debt relief order, you are not working, they cannot touch your partners income, you will not be paying any monthly payments from your benefits and you can be free of this to go forward enjoy the pregnancy, speak with as many experts as you like but also call the CAB for an interview to see what they advise

Companies such as Blair Endserby and Payplan also do DRO and you might find it easier to get an interview with them rather than CAB.

Hi Kate - some great advice already so I just want to congratulate you on the baby. Will you let us know how you get on? I don't think we have any posters with a DRO so if you go down this road it will be hugely helpful to other in a similar situation to yours. Best of all there is going to be a solution for you so you and your partner can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and your new little baby xx

I don't think we do have any as not many people can use that route. It would be great if there were some though.

Thank you everyone for your help and kind words!

I will give CAB, Endersby and Payplan a call on Monday and see if they can help with going down the Debt Relief Order route. Once I have got some advice from them I will definitely update you all and hopefully be of some help to others.

Fingers crossed this will send a bit of relief. You've given me some hope. Thank you again [8)]

I hope they can get you sorted Kate, keep us informed.

There's always a solution Kate, albeit no easy ones! All the best with your pregnancy, you need to be focussing on that!

Keep up posted with your calls on Monday

Cx

HI Kate,

Hope you get things sorted out very soon & good luck with the pregnancy.

Il be interested to hear how you get on with Payplan & if they will help you with a DRO cos when i asked them just a couple of days ago they just told me to go to CAB an they should be able to help us out.

Payplan are a company who can do DRO. Do you have your own property Paul? I can't remember offhand how much debt you have.

No, no property just debts between the 2 of us = £22-£24k roughly more or less split equally. I work, partner dont. Some benefits are joint & some not.

But the sticking point is trying to prove how much of our surplus is my money & my partner's. An with the drop in benefits cos step-son not in college now. Im considering trying to see if my partner could get a DRO, but will need help proving she has got less than £50 per month.

An since my original thread on here & Lizzy saying she is looking it to things with my payplan account iv only had one email back saying she still looking in to things.

A DRO would depend upon your debts and your DI after essential bills have been paid.

Payplan are not the only companies to deal with a DRO. I know Blair Endersby do as well so why not give them a ring.

Il have to call Andy Davie in the morning first, as iv already posted my paper work to his firm for a IVA & the paper work is with there drafting team, but that was sent off before the drop in benefits happened. So really need to find out where i stand now