Advice needed for unique situation..!

Dave_Ham

I personally do not, although sure Google with have something although I would put absolutely everything in writing to them.

Record delivery or whatever the one is with the signature, as gives you additional proof.

TBagpuss

What a difficult situation. Unfortunately, (although it isn't any comfort I''m sure) it really was your wife's responsibility to ensure that her name was off the bills when she moved out.

As things stand, and given that she is not on the mortgage or deeds for the house. you and she own it may be that she should consider bankruptcy once the house has been sold (as at that point, and remaining mortgage debt becomes an unsecured debt and will be included in a bankruptcy, which is not the case while it is still a secured loan, as I understand it)

Stepchange may be able to help with advice.

Another option, dependent on the amount of the various debts, may be to try to settle them by offering each creditor a fixed amount in full and final settlement . You'd need to be careful to make sure that they confirmed in writing that they accepted the amount as full settlement and would then close the account. If they are made aware of the situation including the fact that you wife will be forced to apply for bankruptcy of they do not accept (e.g. make it clear that the offer is on the basis that you are able to lend her money, for instance, if you would be doing so) they may take the view that a bird in the hand in the form a a small proportion of the debt paid now is better than tiny dribbles paid under a bankruptcy or IVA.

On a separate note, your stepdaughter is likely to be entitled to make a claim for Criminal Injuries Compensation - this doesn't help you and your wife, but as this is a government backed scheme not a direct claim against her father his financial situation won;t prevent her receiving some compensation which may help her in the long term

fewcloudy

I believe there is surely some merit in post #3's suggestion?

I'm sure the lender has no obligation to 'do the right thing' whatsoever, but c'mon, this is an exceptional situation calling for an exceptional solution (from the lender). And I am sure tabloids and consumer programmes will be very interested in hearing about it. And much as I hate the idea of such a distressing and despicable event becoming 'entertainment' of a kind, it would solve a lot of problems here.

fc

Thrugelmir

fewcloudy wrote: »

I'm sure the lender has no obligation to 'do the right thing' whatsoever, but c'mon, this is an exceptional situation calling for an exceptional solution (from the lender). And I am sure tabloids and consumer programmes will be very interested in hearing about it.

Where would the line be drawn with "exceptional" cases?

In general terms. However difficult the situation financially. People need to resolve the issues of joint financial arrangements at the time. In this case 5 years is a long time to have done nothing.

TheArcher_2

5 years is a long time, but we didn't "do nothing".
He put the house on the market, and we repeatedly asked him and his agents to do more to sell. What else could we have done? He couldn't afford to re-mortgage on his own, so the only option was to sell. We've been trying to sell it since the start of this year at a much reduced price, and still haven't managed a sale. Another problem was the interest only mortgage, so no equity, otherwise we'd have put it for sale for even less.
We just want rid of it, but at the same time have no money left so can't drop any more, we're already losing money on it.
Please don't think I'm being agressive, but we've had far more problems than I've mentioned here, and it's been a rough year.