Can't pay some credit cards

Robin1980

Hi, my mum has lost her place of work. Unfortunately to being self employed she can't begin to claim JSA. She has enough money to pay all bills for December but then she has nothing.

My brothers and sister can afford to pay her mortgage, car payments and other household bills until she finds a job but we can't pay her credit card payments. She has £7000 on one and £5000 on the other. These are not on 0% so the monthly payments are high. Even if she gets a job soon she will not be able to afford the full payments as she was on good money.

I think she should phone up the two companies and explain her situation and see if they will freeze the interest and/or reduce the payments. she wants to payas much as she can. The only thing I am worried about is that they may try and take her to court for it. The only money she has is in the house she is trying to sell but that is actually owed to my dad so really don't want that to happen.

What do you think I should advise her to do?

chattychappy

Perhaps consider posting here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76, it might be a better source of help.

One thought I had. Perhaps you (or brothers or sisters) could get a 0% card and transfer some of the balance. WARNING: you must understand that you would be taking on legal liability for any debt transferred and for this reason many would say don't do it. But since you guys are already dipping into your own resources to keep things going, this could be a logical thing to do as it would reduce the family's outgoings.

As for approaching the CCs, you can do this but I believe it is better to go via one of the debt-help charities (a real one, not a "scam" one). Others can better advice. Good luck!

Robin1980

Thanks was unsure which one to post in