bit of advice re bankruptcy

SpiralingDown

my husband just died last Friday, leaving me with what at the time was a small amount of debt (under £15,000) hopefully some of this will be written off by the fact that they are in his name only but i understand most won't and will pass to me.

My main problem is I had been off work sick for 2 yrs and had only just started back on the night he died and am now signed off for the foreseeable future yet again (i suffer from mental health problems).
I know i won't be able to pay them all off while recieving benefits only.

what would be my first step, I have to sort out my benefits before i do anything. I have contacted HIS only credit card and they have started the ball rolling as regards sending out forms etc.
We also have 2 other cards which I had used for balance transfers in order to get bills into 2 payments instead of many little ones (all in his name) these cards are in my name. I also have a large overdraft (joint account), some cheques waiting to be cashed and money I owe my parents from 2-3yrs ago, i know i have to pay these either way as i have no proof of this debt to them.
The other problem i have is i know there are more of his little debts out there and is there a way i can find out who these are owed to?


If I declare myself bankrupt do i have to provide a complete list of all monies owed? If i forgot something would they be able to chase me for it afterwards?

Many thanks for ur help

mel12

Hi,
I'm really sorry to hear about your husband.

The first thing to do re the debts would be to call one of the debt charities (listed here ) for some free impartial advice.

If I declare myself bankrupt do i have to provide a complete list of all monies owed? If i forgot something would they be able to chase me for it afterwards?

Yes any unsecured debt is included (apart from a few specific cases like student loans), even if you've missed it off the forms.

Ineedaname

Hi and welcome to the forum, I'm really sorry to hear about your loss.

I would say don't worry too much until after the funeral, concentrate on that first.

Then, as Mel suggests, call one of the free debt advice charities to talk things over.

As for your husband's debts, yes, I presume all the ones in his name only will be written off, any that are not and revert to you would go into any debt reduction plan you take on, whether DMP or BR.

What you can probably do is write to each of the three credit reference agencies for his credit reports. You'll probably need to send at least a photocopy of his death certificate to them in order to obtain his reports. Might be worth ringing them up first to check what they need, in case they want a certified copy. You should then be able to see all of his debts by reading the reports. I'm sure the CAB would help you sort this out if you are struggling to cope.

silvercar

I am sorry for your loss.

Please take time, sorting the funeral etc are more important than the debt.

When the time comes to tackle money, be very clear that what was his debt in his name does not pass to you. Many companies and debt collectors will try and imply that you should clear his debts, either because you had the benefit of the money or because as his spouse you are responsible for his debt. Be very clear in your mind that anything in his sole name is nothing to do with you; it is his debt and dies with him (or comes from his estate). If he left no assets of value (anything not of value is a "chattel" and passes to you automatically) then all his debts are written off. Do not sign anything admitting any liability for his debts.