New Year New Start

raven31

OH and I went bankrupt 15th Dec 08. It took 3 years to do it and what a lot of wasted time. For the last 3 months I have stressed out so much, missed out so much of my life with worry and locking myself behind closed doors that its affected my children and that is one thing I regret more than anything.
It took so long to get the finances together but the last straw was having a debt collector from Scott Call coming to the house. Thankfully I was out and didn't have to deal with them, but after having 3 years of threats and never having one person call on us it frightened me so much that it had to be done so I could start living my life again. I would take my kids to school then go to my mums for the rest of the day. I would pick them up and go anywhere but home until my OH finished work and he was home with me. It was no life to lead and we finally got our bankruptcy date and it has all just finally come to a head and we are debt free.
Our date was booked we turned up at the court without the court fee and was told we should have brought it just incase, as most people pay it then try o claim it back. This is being said to someone who has just scraped the monies together to go bankrupt **** the court fees.
Once she had kept us waiting by looking through our bank statements she came back and said all is fine you don't have to pay.
Jointly we were about £52k in debt. Due to over spending a failed business from years back and living on credit for day to day living. Robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Went upstairs to see the judge. Long wait but he saw us together and took 30 secs. That was it. Had another long wait for OR to call to speak to us at the court and our lady who took the fees phoned them twice as we were in a rush with the car park ticket about to run out.
OR phoned took details of any live bank accounts and then booked us in for our interview to be held 7th January 2009.
Had a fairly relaxed xmas. Spent time with family and that matters most.
The interview itself went well. Everytime we have had to phone the OR office beforehand they have been so nice and helpful. The interview was done took about just over an hour for OH and I. We had them straight after each other which helped and she was so nice I felt relaxed and fully able to talk to her without being nervous, or upset. I did not feel judged.
I have read a few stories on here that has scared me and I have read a few happy ones too. Every story is different and I just wanted to share my experience with you. This forum has been so much help and if I can help anybody from posting this I hope it helps.
We have been told we can keep the car but its not worth much anyway. We won't be getting an IPA and she is putting us forward for early discharge which could be in 6 months time.
Its not easy, it has taken alot out of me, my marriage and children have suffered and so has my family worrying for me. Its not worth it.
Sorry for the long post. But thank you to everyone on here that gives such good advice and support.

Jubbly1868

Raven31,

Thank you so much for posting this. My OH and I are about to start prep for declaring ourselves BR and Im dreading it. Ive suffered health wise and I know what you mean about avoiding being home... I dread the postman arriving with more blasted letters chasing us for money we dont have.
Well done to you and I hope you and your family start to 'live' again. You have given me some hope.
lisa

tigerfeet2006

Hi Raven and welcome to the board.

Thank you for posting your story, it will be so helpful to so many people that are going through the process at the moment.

All the best for a debt free future.

ScattyNat_2

This story has made me feel a lot more at ease - and I'm only just at the deciding to go BR stage - getting my forms done this week and heading off to the court next monday. Well done you x x

raven31

Thank you for your replies. It is nice to be welcomed, thank you. I have spent ages reading this forum and it has helped me through so much that I thought it would be helpful to others if I posted my experience. As everyone going through this has a different reason and story to tell and if we can help and learn from each other we will get through.

haleygrey

Thank you raven. Im also in a similar position. Hate the post and dont answer the phone and still have 5 weeks to go, but again thank you

raven31

I was lucky I didn't have to deal with the phonecalls just the letters. We changed our number at one place then we moved so they were never going to get the new number as it was ex directory.
I was very unlucky thought to have DC but after 3 years of avoiding our debts and no contact number then maybe thats why they finally decided to send someone round.