advice needed over old debt

jaqandstu

Over 5 years ago I got into debt, my ex left me with thousands in council tax debts and I couldnt pay my credit cards with went into default, one company who bought one of the debts is still phoning me nearly six years on and im still not in a position to pay, I have 5 kids and although I am now married my husband doesnt know about these debts to this day. It would braek up my marriage, so I have finally paid off the four thousand or so to the counil tax, the ex is still around my son and he doesnt work . I asked the company to take me to court as I cant pay, I now have a comitment to the legal aid board because my ex took me to court over access, so thats another £1600 . My husband isnt at the moment able to help with much of the household bills as he is paying off credit cards which I wanted him to do. The credit card people just dont give up, I got my credit files and they have these credit cards on them, im ashamed off myself that I cant pay and it looks like they will never go away. I dont know what to do, I live in scotland. I now over the last 4 years pay everything on time, i have ddebits for all my bills, im never late. I had a catalouge which I had to buy emergencies which ive had for over a year, they put my credit limit up and then a week later stopped my acc saying they had done a credit check and found information, I am devestated, I thought I would have been repairing my credit and surely they would have been checking it from the start. I dont know what to do, the credit cards are nearly at six years old , I just dont know what to do, i live in scotland and I want to sort it out. The companies wont take me to court because they know i cant pay, any advice out there, as i cant go on like this.

moozie_2

Hi jaqandstu and welcome

I am sorry things are looking so bad right now. The first thing I'd say is communicate with your husband. You have a lot to deal with and keeping secrets from your partner is neither healthy nor helpful. It may be difficult at first but you will benefit from his support and having someone to talk to - other than us

Secondly, would you be able to post a statement of affairs, listing all your income and outgoings. Also list any debts with APRs and minimum payments. You seem to have made good progress so far, maybe we can add something to help you carry on.

In England, debts that are over 6 years old and have not been chased in those 6 years, cannot be enforced. I don't really know how it works in Scotland but I am sure someone else will be able to advise on that.

Anyway, please post more information and we'll do our best. Hang in there, help is at hand.

Storm

I second Moozie - you need to talk to your husband. If he's in debt & paying of CC's too surely he's not going to be too judgemental? If he's paying more than the minimum on his CC's then perhaps he can contribute more to the household expenses meaning you can pay at least something per month off yours.

A SoA will help as the wonderful people on here will be able to make suggestions to save money, and if you know the details of his debts they'd be useful to post to so there's an overview of the whole household.