Gone BR today

worriedsick_3

Just thought I would let you know my experience today - I went to Court at 9.00 o clock - put my papers in for BR and the Judge signed the papers - went into an office and they rang the OR office and said they would be in touch with me soon.

Explained that I needed to keep my Bank open as my wages are paid into it and also my direct debits were set up there and they said I needed to open another bank account with either Co-op or Barclays but I explained there wasn't enough time for my wages to go into another bank and they told me to go to my bank which was the halifax and explain to them and they will also write a letter asking them to unfreeze it but the person I spoke to at the court said the Halifax don't normally listen to them so was really worried about how I pay my mortgage - anyway to cut a long story short I came out of court feeling really worried and not knowing where to start.

I couldn’t believe it when they didn't take my paper work nor bank cards and just handed them back to me and said the OR will be in touch and I need
to hand everything over to them so a bit apprehensive about what will happen.

I came out of the Court feeling sick and not knowing what to do so decided to call at my Bank the Halifax and see what I could do – I could not believe how nice the person was whom I saw – he asked me what my problem was as I looked so worried and I explained to him that I had just been made BR and I was worried about my Bank Account as I needed to pay my mortgage on the 1st February and my wages were going to be paid into that account and the Court told me they would freeze my account – the person could not have been nicer – I had an overdraft facility of £1000 on this account and I only had £2 credit in at the time of going BR so was very surprised when he said he would extend the overdraft for another 12 months and told me to go and draw £500 out of the account straight away and put it to one side for my mortgage and he said that even though he is authorising this Head Office may not do so – at this point I was very confused as I thought it was illegal to draw monies out after going BR but he told me my wages were going to be paid into that bank – I felt so much relief after talking to him but I went to draw £600 out of my bank account and now this is going to be from my overdraft as I only had £2 credit and now am worried in case I have done something illegal even though he told me to do this – he also said because I had a credit card with them I needed to use it to keep it open because if I didn’t use it they would close it – this advice has been so confusing and is the opposite of what it says on the BR website – has anybody else experienced anything like this – have I made a problem for myself drawing this money out???

How long do you think it will take the OR to contact me?

Would welcome any advice about my situation as I am so confused.

Thanks

deedee_3

Blimey you got a nice helpful chappy there. He really was doing you a favour. Don't worry about taking the money out of the account. You can get credit of under £500 without letting the person know you are bankrupt or have credit over that as long as the creditor is aware you are bankrupt. You can not use the credit card as it is not yours to use any more. Well done on going in branch and not ringing them up as they would have frozen the account straight away. Halifax closed my account within 24 hours of me going bankrupt and the OR had not informed them at the point they did it.

Now get on the phone and get your Co-op Cashminder set up pronto.

cozza

congrats at least you on the road to recovery now .
its a weight off your shoulders when you go B/R .
i went last oct and feel a lot better no as no debt people call
cozza

worriedsick_3

thank you so much for your help - so have not done anything wrong drawing that money as I have just read on the BR form that you cannot draw any monies out!!! - I can also agree with you about the chap in the bank he was brilliant and did not expect that kindness - he did point out though that the Head Office could still stop this bank - where would that leave me then with this money - my wages normally get paid straight into the bank on a Thursday - will open another bank account with Barclays just to cover myself.

I feel better after reading your replies and thanks to everybody for their help just have to get the OR meeting over now

peachyprice

Worried sick, you were extremely lucky to get someone at Halifax who knows absolutley nothing about bankruptcy, and I suspect they will get into serious trouble when Halifax find out what he allowed you to do, but hey ho, at least you have your money.

The account will most likely be closed within the next day or 2, so you will need to set up a new one with Co-op or Barclays pronto. Halifax trawl through the London Gazette and close all BR customers accounts.

I doubt very much the account will still be open by the time you get paid, so in effect you've got an extra £600 out of the Halifax that will have to be paid back to them as you took it out after your BR date.

You must not use the credit card, no matter what he said. the account now belongs to the OR.

i don't think you will get in trouble, you only did what the person at Halifax allowed you to do.

deedee_3

Cheers Peachy, I forgot to say about paying it back

worriedsick_3

Hi Peacy and Dee Dee - I feel bad now if that bloke will get into trouble but at least I was honest with him so have nothing to be afraid of in that way but I am going to open a Barclays account and deposit the £600 ready for the mortgage payment and then set up new direct debits.

Will my wages still be paid into the Halifax even if they close it and then they can recover that £600 back?

I will make arrangements for my wages to go into my new bank but don't want to do anything until the £600 has gone back? Not sure not what to do about this money?

I will not use the credit card even though he said it would be ok - he obviously is not aware of the procedure of the bank.

worriedsick_3

Just another question - is it normal for nobody to take paperwork or bank cards off me? I was told that the OR at the court take everything but they only took the form I filled in and said to send the rest to the OR when they contact me????

startagain_2

worriedsick wrote: »

Just another question - is it normal for nobody to take paperwork or bank cards off me? I was told that the OR at the court take everything but they only took the form I filled in and said to send the rest to the OR when they contact me????

Hello worriedsick,

The OR will contact you to arrange if and when you will have your interview to discuss your affairs. Then you will be sent a pack and when you return stuff you will be asked for your paperwork and cards.
Don't worry, everything seems to be in hand.
You are putting the cart before the horse a little bit.....
BTW - Well Done for the BR .....

SA

worriedsick_3

Sorry - I know it is just worrying about getting things sorted - will probably feel better once it has sunk in that I have gone BR

I asked them at Court if I could request a one to one meeting with the OR rather than a phone call as I would feel more confident as I am not very good at explaining myself over the phone - how long does it normally take for the OR to be in touch?

startagain_2

worriedsick wrote: »

Sorry - I know it is just worrying about getting things sorted - will probably feel better once it has sunk in that I have gone BR

I asked them at Court if I could request a one to one meeting with the OR rather than a phone call as I would feel more confident as I am not very good at explaining myself over the phone - how long does it normally take for the OR to be in touch?

Golly, don't apologise - it is all very traumatic and things happen very fast!

You might as well ask how long is a piece of string - some people have their interviews very quickly - within a couple of days. Apart from a little chat on the phone, with someone from the OR office while I was in the court building, I have heard nothing. It depends on how busy the office is I expect.

You will have a phone call to arrange the interview, by all means ask for a face to face and explain why. I am sure they will be sympathetic to your request.

Chin up ....... you have tackled and got through the worst.....

SA