So here goes...

Ineedaname

As the Co-op will transfer all DDs and SOs for you I just cancelled everything I didn't want transferred and let the Co-op sort the rest of them out for me, made it a lot easier.

Rather than have two accounts, I use Microsoft Money and can enter regular payments in advance so I can forecast my spending. That lets me see at a glance what money I will have 'left over' in my account at any one time. I budget for everything I can so I never run out.

MS Money is no longer available but there are other home finance software programmes out there and a few free on the web too. Confused.com are about to launch one which looks pretty easy to use and useful.

The Court forms aren't complicated, just take time to fill in due to gathering all the info together and the stress of having to do them. I gave myself several days well in advance of my BR date, then had a week to sit back and relax knowing I was organised and ready.

alastairq

rom personal experience I suggest to ONLY OPEN 1 ACCOUNT BEFORE going br - I opened a cashminder before br and the OR took everything including the cashminder - thankfully I could get the second one straight afterward br so would advise being cautious on that score.
If this happens to others it would leave them with less options.

The advice I offered was based upon personal experience as well...I had the two accounts up and running well before BR......they were listed on my Court forms, and were hilited on my initial OR phone call [at Court]...

During that call, I was asked the usual questions regarding these accounts, and the OR's rep was satisfied they were simply used for living expenses, and as a successful means of budgeting.

I also informed the Co-op of my BR, speaking to their dedicated team [for BR's]...so both accounts were flagged...and they even provided me with a fax number for the OR to fax them information.

As a result, neither account suffered in any way, shape, or form.

However, to be fair, I have noted reports on this particular forum that the OR in Brighton seems to take a singular view regarding all bank accounts.

My OR was elsewhere, and may have indulged in an enlightened attitude....

Ineedaname

I thought there was comment a couple of months back that the OR in Brighton was starting to be more selective regarding bank accounts and allowing some to remain open?

mel12

We obviously have to file seperately but are terrified it gets refused because everything has been paid on time up to now or because our accounts are in a mess. We have no statements to give the official receiver if it was successful.

Don't worry about this. So long as you're insolvent (can't pay the minimum payments as they fall due now), and have taken advice from one of the debt charities, your BR won't be refused.

You can get information on how much you owe to who by getting a copy of your credit reports if this helps.

Tupperware_Queen

I too was told by the OR I could only have one account

dojoman

I had 2 Cashminder accounts and a Barclays account and still have them now I am discharged.

[Deleted User]

alastairq wrote: »

The advice I offered was based upon personal experience as well...I had the two accounts up and running well before BR......they were listed on my Court forms, and were hilited on my initial OR phone call [at Court]...

During that call, I was asked the usual questions regarding these accounts, and the OR's rep was satisfied they were simply used for living expenses, and as a successful means of budgeting.
......
However, to be fair, I have noted reports on this particular forum that the OR in Brighton seems to take a singular view regarding all bank accounts.

My OR was elsewhere, and may have indulged in an enlightened attitude....

I wanted to add that I wasn't in Brighton and the OR took ALL my accounts - despite being told that it was opened for br for living and ongoing business expenses etc and that left me without the ability to cash cheques from my clients until I got the new account opened.

lbm

alastairq

aaaahh,I see.....your accounts were linked to a business, right?

which may place a different light on how the OR viewed your bank accounts..

My [two] accounts were purely personal, domestic accounts.....

arrowarra

I have so many questions and appreciate all the time and advice given so far

I have a small sole trader business that I set up to try and give us some more money (it hasnt really worked) and only recently received a grant. Once the BR goes ahead should they (the place that gave the grant) be notified and what about tax - I have not been trading a year, so what happens then do I have to wait until the self assessment is due? I wont have any money to pay the tax bill if I dont carry on trading - thats a worry!

Our children have savings accounts and trust funds with our names on them not masses of money in them but its theirs not ours can this be taken by the banks?

Even though we have made all payments on time to our creditors and are now BR can money we have spent on credit and payments we have made to family for money they lent us be seen as acting to the detriment of the general body of creditors?

Re the bank a/c I think it is probably best while the OR goes through things to have one a/c we can say is for our income/expenditure and then look to start a second once it has all gone through.

iquit

"Re the bank a/c I think it is probably best while the OR goes through things to have one a/c we can say is for our income/expenditure and then look to start a second once it has all gone throughRe the bank a/c I think it is probably best while the OR goes through things to have one a/c we can say is for our income/expenditure and then look to start a second once it has all gone through"

Good idea.