Debt Situation After 8 Years

baywatch_2

The situation is that I left the U.K. in 2002 and moved to Portugal, one of the reasons I left was that I had a lot of unsecured debt (credit cards and loans) at the time.
I am wanting to move back to the U.K. next year and obviously I am worried as to what the situation is with these debts. I have had no contact with any of the companies concerned over this period. Is it possible that they would have obtained CCJ's in my absence on my previous U.K. address? and will I now be chased for the debt? Would going bankrupt help me, as I am in no better position now that when I left the u.k. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly received.

Tixy

They may have CCJs against you and if you return then they may chase you for the debts with CCJs (6years after the CCJs are granted they would have to apply again to the court to be get the CCJ extended so they can keep chasing you) but the CCJs could have been granted anytime up to 6years from when you stopped paying - so some might have got CCJs in 2008 which could be enforced until 2012 before needing to go back to court.

You creditors could have even applied to make bankrupt in your absence (not that likely but possible).

You can check if there are any CCJs in your name at the registery trust online website (costs £8 per address you search).

How much did you owe when you left the UK?

baywatch_2

Thank you for the prompt reply. I owen around £100k on various loans and credit card accounts.
If I do a search to check on any CCJ's will that not require me to give a current address thereby alerting any creditors?
If there is no tie between the old address and any new address will I flag up anywhere?
Is it worth considering bankruptcy at this stage as I can nvere foresee how I would repay these monies?

thestealer

I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, but you're going to have to face up to the debts sooner or later. Probably better sooner while it's just DCA's doing the chasing rather than the police.

The various debt charities will still be able to help, even if your story is slightly out of the ordinary

Tixy

The registery trust online search can be done by anybody. So it won't be traced to you and you don't have to give a new address.

It will tell you if there are any CCJs, the amount & date (and court) but won't tell you which creditor they are for.

Might be worth considering bankruptcy if a lot of your creditors have CCJs. If you only have a few CCJs or none then any other debts would be statute barred and you would only need to focus on paying back the ones with CCJs.
So first find out whats listed and then seek advice from one of the debt charities (some will answer questions by email which might suit you).