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I've done the deed - I'm officially bankrupt!

Started off the day being caught in murderous traffic in the pouring rain, thinking I'd never make it on time. Got there for 9.30am in the end, feeling wretched. However, the woman from the volunteer unit was so helpful - she accompanied me through each stage of the process, showed me shortcuts around the RCJ (I'd have been totally lost without her) & ensured I got what I needed when I needed to. I didn't have to pay the court fees - the fees clerk said they don't charge them for bankruptcy petitions, so I had a lot more money in my pocket than I expected (even allowing for raiding the cashpoints this morning :D ).

After I submitted my petition, I was told to come back at 2pm, so I used the time to dive off to the Co-operative Bank in Holborn - the chap said you have to make an appointment to set up the account, but I stood my ground & reminded him of what the word 'co-operative' meant, & he relented. :D It still takes about a week to set up, but at least it's done.

Then I had a lovely lunch courtesy of a friend at Pizza Express, before getting the bus back to the RCJ. My lovely volunteer woman met me just before 2pm & took me to where I had to get my petition from, then I got told I had to see the OR this afternoon, no if nor buts about it. Full of trepidation, I took myself off to the OR's office further up in Holborn, but it went well. Nothing I'd put was queried - the only thing she wanted to know was why I decided to go bankrupt today. I told her the only thing that was going to be different in a week's time was that they'd be charging £10 more for people to file, & I'd had enough of debt letters, solicitors letters etc. I wanted the start of the new tax year to be a new start for me.

Nothing else was queried, not even my Sky with broadband or my extra money for food at work. No mention was made of wanting any money from me every month either, so it looks like I haven't got an IPA either. Though I left the OR's office about 3.30pm, my bankruptcy order is stamped 12.15pm on 29 March 2007. For the first time in I don't know how many years, I don't owe anyone a penny, & it's a really odd feeling, but I'm getting used to it.

I know I've said it before, but I admire anyone who can get through this process without help from anyone else. I couldn't have done the paperwork, & certainly wouldn't have had as much information about what goes on without people here being so willing to give their advice & support so freely. I'll always be grateful, & I'll never ever forget it. :)
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Comments

  • Well done WDIAG, glad it went well for you and you've got the OR bit done as well. What a day, bet you feel wonderful now.:beer:
    BCSC Member No 55 - Lightbulb Moment 07/03/07
    BR Date 21/03/07 - Swimming ever since
  • Bakeybadoo
    Bakeybadoo Posts: 810 Forumite
    Well done! I'm glad you had such a productive day and now are free to get on with the rest of your life.
    :: BCSC #71 but now discharged! ::
  • Well done :beer: I hope you sleep well tonight x
    “One should never count the years – one should count one’s interests. I have kept young trying never to lose my childhood sense of wonderment. I am glad I still have a vivid curiosity about the world I live in.”

    Helen Keller, 1880 – 1968, Blind and Deaf American Writer and Scholar
  • Started off the day being caught in murderous traffic in the pouring rain, thinking I'd never make it on time. Got there for 9.30am in the end, feeling wretched. However, the woman from the volunteer unit was so helpful - she accompanied me through each stage of the process, showed me shortcuts around the RCJ (I'd have been totally lost without her) & ensured I got what I needed when I needed to. I didn't have to pay the court fees - the fees clerk said they don't charge them for bankruptcy petitions, so I had a lot more money in my pocket than I expected (even allowing for raiding the cashpoints this morning :D ).

    After I submitted my petition, I was told to come back at 2pm, so I used the time to dive off to the Co-operative Bank in Holborn - the chap said you have to make an appointment to set up the account, but I stood my ground & reminded him of what the word 'co-operative' meant, & he relented. :D It still takes about a week to set up, but at least it's done.

    Then I had a lovely lunch courtesy of a friend at Pizza Express, before getting the bus back to the RCJ. My lovely volunteer woman met me just before 2pm & took me to where I had to get my petition from, then I got told I had to see the OR this afternoon, no if nor buts about it. Full of trepidation, I took myself off to the OR's office further up in Holborn, but it went well. Nothing I'd put was queried - the only thing she wanted to know was why I decided to go bankrupt today. I told her the only thing that was going to be different in a week's time was that they'd be charging £10 more for people to file, & I'd had enough of debt letters, solicitors letters etc. I wanted the start of the new tax year to be a new start for me.

    Nothing else was queried, not even my Sky with broadband or my extra money for food at work. No mention was made of wanting any money from me every month either, so it looks like I haven't got an IPA either. Though I left the OR's office about 3.30pm, my bankruptcy order is stamped 12.15pm on 29 March 2007. For the first time in I don't know how many years, I don't owe anyone a penny, & it's a really odd feeling, but I'm getting used to it.

    I know I've said it before, but I admire anyone who can get through this process without help from anyone else. I couldn't have done the paperwork, & certainly wouldn't have had as much information about what goes on without people here being so willing to give their advice & support so freely. I'll always be grateful, & I'll never ever forget it. :)

    What great news ,im so glad everything went so well for :T
    Official DFW NERD 189

    I may be a woman but dont hold it against me:D

    Officially declared Br 6/11/06


    Discharged Br 4/5/07 (6 months to the day)

    BCSC MEMBER 21
  • Red1708
    Red1708 Posts: 843 Forumite
    Well Done WDIAL, hope you felt that virtual hug at 10 xxx
    BSC Member 59 - AD 29th March 2008


  • I did - hope you felt it too. :D

    It's so weird how we went through so much filling in all that paperwork, yet the only bit that actually matters is the circular stamp on the bankruptcy order. Mine says "Supreme Court of Judicature" with today's date, & that's the only bit I care about now. :) For years I've thought there was a stigma about the word bankrupt. I won't be broadcasting the fact I'm bankrupt to all & sundry, but I don't feel demeaned by the word at all.

    I've made a nice start on the Bacardi. It's just as well that I'm not working tomorrow, as I think my head's going to be banging. :D
  • uther_2
    uther_2 Posts: 174 Forumite
    Glad it went so well for you.Now on with your life!
  • I did - hope you felt it too. :D

    It's so weird how we went through so much filling in all that paperwork, yet the only bit that actually matters is the circular stamp on the bankruptcy order. Mine says "Supreme Court of Judicature" with today's date, & that's the only bit I care about now. :) For years I've thought there was a stigma about the word bankrupt. I won't be broadcasting the fact I'm bankrupt to all & sundry, but I don't feel demeaned by the word at all.

    I've made a nice start on the Bacardi. It's just as well that I'm not working tomorrow, as I think my head's going to be banging. :D

    you deserve to lt your hair down WDIAG so enjoy the Bacardi and look to your new debt free future
    Official DFW NERD 189

    I may be a woman but dont hold it against me:D

    Officially declared Br 6/11/06


    Discharged Br 4/5/07 (6 months to the day)

    BCSC MEMBER 21
  • Sooty0404
    Sooty0404 Posts: 250 Forumite
    Congratulations - tomorrow is the first day of the rest of you life. Enjoy!
    Money won't buy you happiness
    But at least you can be miserable in comfort

    BCSC Member No 46
  • Just read on another forum of someone whose day in court went well, but who was telephoned by the OR two weeks later & then received notification of an IPA a week after that. So it seems that, even if it doesn't come up at the hearing or when you first meet with the OR, it can come up later on when they properly review your forms. :(

    I'm not going to worry too much about that unless I hear something from them about it in the next month or so. They can't have what I haven't got, & I've got even less now because the banks will give whatever was left in my accounts to the OR anyway once they've have had official confirmation of the bankruptcy.
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