Bankruptcy for sick family member

londonmoneygirl

Hi Everyone, I am new here and hoping for help.

My Father has recently had a stroke and following on from that some serious health problems- he has been in hospital for 4 months, some of the time unconscious for up to a week. He is thankfully now home and conscious though still sleeps a great deal of the day. He cannot be moved from the bed excepy by 2 members of staff. He is I would say mentally competant but he is often extremely confused and as a result of the stroke and then being too ill for therapy (he had to have an amputation following two serious cardiac arrests and 3 stays in intensive care) his speech is very bad and his writing is up to birthday cards and signing his name only really at the moment.

Unfortunately he had some credit card debts and I see no way he will ever work again or be able to pay these. My Mother is obviously under enormous strain and very worried about their finances. They live in rented accommodation having sold their home when he first became ill (which ultimately led to the stroke and these problems).

I would like to have him declared bankrupt, he has no money and just debts. Although my parents have power of attorney prepared I am not sure if we should activate it for this- he knows who he is and where he is but is just very very weak and confused. The courts seem to say he will need to appear at court but he can currently only leave home in an NHS ambulance and I think even if it were possible to arrange it's not a suitable use of the St John's time.

Does anyone know what can he done? Citizen's Advice seemed confused on this matter.

Thanks in advance for your help.

(Ps. he currently receives no benefits or allowances but I believe social services are looking into this on his behalf).

National_Debtline

Hello there,

Do you know how much the debts come to?
How long ago was the house sold? Was there any equity, if so what happened to it?

There could be various options here, certainly bankruptcy may be one of them - and if so it is possible to petition on behalf of someone who is very ill.

Best wishes,

David @ NDL.

fermi

Definitely possible to act on someone's behalf with permission at court.

londonmoneygirl

Hi and thanks for your reply

The house was actually in my Mother's name thinking about it- because it was bought with money from her family- there was equity, some is left but not very much and it's in her name as it was always her money- they've always banked completely seperately which i know is unusual for a couple married for over 40 years but it's true- they've never held an account together.

My Father is quite unwell and I'm obviously concerned that my Mother who I hope will live much longer not be left totally destitute. She was not aware of these debts prior to his illness unfortunately. They are both only in their early sixties so he does not currently have a state pension- though she does and she is working.

I've tried to speak to the local court regarding representing someone but I get passed around! thanks for the help.