February's 2013 BR Club

IF

Bump..........:staradmin

Standy

My IVA completed Jan 2007 and disappeared Jan 2013. My worst recollection, other than the stress of it all and mental illness, was that the ONLY lender I discussed my difficulties with before approaching a debt counsellor and calling it a day, hounded me endlessly on the phone and in writing. I would definitely suggest that couples keep their bank accounts etc completely separate (doesn't mean hiding stuff) and talk to someone on YOUR side before talking to creditors

nert

Well I had my OR interview on Wednesday....this is the bit I have been the most worried about, I literally sat there waiting for the phone to ring and was in a right state by the time it did...

I don't know if the majority are like this or whether I was one of the lucky ones, but the examiner (the same person that rang me the day I went to court- I have never actually spoken to my OR whose name is on my paperwork) but he seemed a genuinely lovely guy...without going into my circumstances he seemed to have alot of sympathy for me (my debts were from a loan left by an ex and negative equity in a property I couldnt stay in) so i dont know if the reasons for my bankruptcy made a difference.

Anyway, he just went through a few points on my SOA, didnt go through every question as I had expected. The only thing that surprised me was he asked quite alot about my job years ago (I left the company, then returned then went part time after mat leave) and also asked alot about the credit cards I had years ago that were paid off using a cosolidation loan I got 2 years ago.

I was very relieved to find out he was happy with my income and expenditure form! :jI was really worried about that so was very pleased when he said that! He was also happy with the fact I have use of a car I do not technically own, another issue I thought may have been a problem.

He said to me I must have been through alot of stress and emotions to have come to the decision to go bankrupt and I needed to stop worrying about who I actually owed my negative equity to for my repossessed property and just to let them fight it out as I didn' tneed to think about it anymore.

At the end I asked a couple of questions and I also mentioned the dreaded IPA. He said he hadn't mentioned it because it wouldnt be applicable in my case, the only thing disallowed on my expenditure was sky for £30- he said he wouldnt ask for £30 a month whern it only takes one thing to happen and you need it and are left with nothing etc. Yay!

We were on the phone for an hour but I asked quite alot of questions myself and as you may have noticed tend to babble on when Im nervous otherwise it wouldbve been alot shorter!

Anyway I just wanted to share this in the hope it will help somebody out who is sitting there currently in the sort of state I was in a few days ago...in my experience none of the process has been as bad as I was expecting, the examiners arent monsters and just want to get the facts straight. I think if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to be nervous about either!

I feel like the weight has been suddenly lifted off my shoulders and the last couple of nights sleep are the best I've had in ages. At this point if everything carries forward as suggested I think I can honestly say it will be the best thing i could ever have done.

nert

If anyone has any questions about the process I would be happy to help from my own experience :-)