How do you choose an IP for an IVA

allofadither

Hubby is a sole trader and he is considering either BR or an IVA. All personal debt not business.

So, how do folks decide on a suitable IP?

If for example, he approaches CCCS or someone similar and he is deemed suitable for an IVA, I've read on here that they will out source self employed cases to Grant Thornton.

Is that also the case for other debt charities?

Are people allowed to make recommendations on this forum?

Thanks,

Dither

Anondebtadvisor

I would suggest that you speak with a few companies and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. Not every IVA company will propose the same IVA so it is a matter of finding one you are happy with.

Have a search on google for IVA forum there is some good reviews on various websites

Gimpsdad

You are correct, CCCS will refer out s/employed cases to GT. The key here is really, as anondebtadvisor says, is to find someone that you are comfortable with, but also one that is used to dealing with s/employed cases as well.

Five, and possibly 6 if you are a homeowner, year IVA's are a long time if you choose the wrong people for you.

Do consider all your other options though, and be wary of anyone that suggests IVA is your only option. A good IP will take the time to guide you through all solutions and then allow you the time to make your own decision.

milliemonster

Google is your friend as said above, I have been in an IVA for almost 2 years and my IP is fantastic, I did my research, did NOT go with one of the debt charities thank the lord and do not regret my deicision in the slightest, my IP is professional, personal, non judgmental, very fair and contactable any time day or night 24/7, her fees are in line with the industry (and cheaper than payplans) as all IVA fees are determined by creditors anyway so don't believe for a minute that the debt charities do IVA's for free, they don't.

Ask yourself what you want from an IP, someone who works for a company that has thousands of clients who cannot get an answer on a query to you when you need it because they have so many other people to tend to? or someone who treats you like a human rather than a number in their system and gives you that personal touch so can alleviate some of the stress in a timely manner?

Anondebtadvisor

That great exactly what you want over a 5/6year relationship, who is your IP? might be useful to the other poster x

debtinfo

milliemonster wrote: »

Google is your friend as said above, I have been in an IVA for almost 2 years and my IP is fantastic, I did my research, did NOT go with one of the debt charities thank the lord and do not regret my deicision in the slightest, my IP is professional, personal, non judgmental, very fair and contactable any time day or night 24/7, her fees are in line with the industry (and cheaper than payplans) as all IVA fees are determined by creditors anyway so don't believe for a minute that the debt charities do IVA's for free, they don't.

Ask yourself what you want from an IP, someone who works for a company that has thousands of clients who cannot get an answer on a query to you when you need it because they have so many other people to tend to? or someone who treats you like a human rather than a number in their system and gives you that personal touch so can alleviate some of the stress in a timely manner?

Of course the irony is that if you recommend her to to many more clients then she will have less time to deal with each one individually so shhhhh

allofadither

Thanks everyone for the very useful responses.

Whilst we're happy enough to 'shop around' so to speak we do live out in the sticks. I've already discovered that there are no IPs local to us so this may limit our choices and will involve traveling some distance for a face to face meeting (which I understand is a legal requirement for folks who are self employed).

Don't mind the travelling as long as it's not a regular thing? Could become very costly otherwise.

But we will be doing more googling.

Many thanks,

Dither

Anondebtadvisor

Thats right you will need a face to face if self employed but some IPS will travel to meet you at a convinient location, you shouldnt need to do this more than once at the beginning of the IVA process.

All the very best with your search, there are many good IPs out there it seems people on here are reluctant to post them :-)

getdebtfree

Hey

Well I have found my IP at grant Thornton really nice and has always been there so far. Even if she has been on a call whoever else I talk to has been kind and helpful...

Marcus

UpToMyNeckInIt

...check out the reviews on iva.com

milliemonster

UpToMyNeckInIt wrote: »

...check out the reviews on iva.com

second that, although for some reason mods on here don't like us recommending that site