Debts whilst in Prison

barloo69

Sounds very daunting that title

A friend of a friend has asked for some assistance on her predicament.

Unfortunately this friend has been addicted to drugs for the last few years and has built up several convictions against her in that time.

The problem is she used to have a mortgage, job, credit cards etc and be reasonably well off. However, for one reason or another her life took a downward spiral and she started using drugs and using her cards to pay for this. It was not long until the cards/loans etc had been maxed, house lost and she will was living in hell.

Now she has come to terms with her addiction and is in recovery. In trying to sort out her mess of a life. The debts that she built up have been approached and are ok with a token payments for the interim period.

The problem lies in that trying to sort out her convictions, it transpires that she has missed a court appearance and the outcome looks bleak as she may well have to serve a custodial sentence for the case she skipped on.

Now does anybody know what the position is on her debts. If she gets a custodial sentence then she will be unable to make any payments etc, and thereofre her creditors will default her.

Should she tell them what her situation is and the possibility of not being able to pay or should she just let things run its course and address it when she gets released.

Ive told her she really needs to go to CAB for best advice but the whole situatuin has got me thinking and I wondered if anybody else had any ideas.

misspoppy

Hi

she could contact any of the debt charities but I think there is a prisoners support service too, sounds like BR might be a good option for her, a totally clean start when she comes out.

Toto

I really don't know the answer to this but I was wondering how long her custodial sentence might be and how much she is paying monthly to the creditors? I know you say she is paying token payments, is this £1 a month? If it is a short sentence and she has a little money would it be possible to carry on paying the creditors their token payments by direct debit? Also it might be possible for her to authorise a family member or a friend to deal with the accounts in her absence.

I think you are right probably the CAB is going to be her best bet for advice. You are being a good friend asking for help for her and I really hope she gets the help she needs to turn her life around. I have known lots and lots of people who have turned to drugs and it's really sad. People never see the lovely people they are they just see drugs and write them off.

Best wishes to both of you.

naughtymittens

Crikey, sorry I can't really help but didn't want to read and run. I assume she has a lawyer from her previous convictions? I also assume she has one at the moment re:the missed court appearance? Why did she miss it? The lawyer may be able to put some mitgation forward on her behalf as she is now in recovery so perhaps another custodial sentence isn't inevitable. Anyway, her lawyer may be able to advise her on the debts issue re: creditors as well, they may have experience of this with other clients. CAB also a good suggestion although obviously this can't wait too long and I think she should be seeking legal advise asap.

I hope she manages to sort herself out, she's lucky to have you as a friend.

barloo69

Thank you for your advice, I dont really know her that well, its more of a favour to my friend but I am a believer in helping someone when they need help.

I think it best also to let her go to the CAB & maybe I will go with her to help with matters. I hadnt considered the Prisoner support service so I will check this out also.

Once again, thanks for help. Most kind.

RecoveringAlcoholic

CAB and AA both do visits to local prisons.


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mandi

Hi ,

My advice would be to tell her to speak to her probation officer.

lemma1968

mandi wrote: »

Hi ,

My advice would be to tell her to speak to her probation officer.

If she still has one or ever had one. Depends upon type of previous sentences and when expired.