IPA problem

fraggle45

Hi, recently bankrupt. Went through budget with OR which turned out to be a £200 deficit between that and my earnings. Then he took my partners earnings into account and said I could afford to pay £150 a month back!

Trouble is we pay 50 50 into the house and I can't afford to meet all those payments and the IPA and my partner won't pay more (not married ) and I can't make him.

Does this sound right that just because in theory my partner earns a lot more than me and the OR has a proportional rule that I have to pay this money which I honestly don't have and can't find - I'm on disability.

What happens if I can't pay?

fermi

Do you have any earned/non-benfit income yourself?

fraggle45 wrote: »

What happens if I can't pay?

If you can't pay or don't agree with it, then you simply do not agree or sign the IPA in the first place. In that case the OR would have to go to court to impose one if they wanted, which if truly unfair they would not dare do.

fraggle45

I have benefits and small earning which provides a deficit of about 20 a month - absolutely no luxuries. OR actually put up some of the allowable living expenses creating a £200 deficit.

We pay 50 50 each and can just manage that although earnings aren't regular because I have ill health

I'm really worried because I just won't have the requested £150 and money for my share and my partner won't pay any more 50 50 is what we do

My income is about £500 a month so it's not as if I'm on a huge wage

fermi

If you can't afford it, then you don't sign the IPA. End of.

Ball is then in the OR's court, but highly unlikely they would try to enforce an IPO.

Strachan

I also show a deficit on my monthly income and expenditure. In my case, I showed the amounts for myself and three children and didn't include my partner's income. The rest of our household bills inc. food are roughly the same amount as our rent and I pay all the bills but not the rent. The OR was satisfied with this and hasn't pushed for details of my partner's income and you also shouldn't have felt pressured into providing it for your partner. Only the person petitioning for bankruptcy is required to provide their income details.
I was questioning whether we would be staying together because of the stress of bankruptcy.
Don't sign your IPA. Say you would like to be assessed completely separately because your partner is unwilling to divulge any information and you can't rely on him earning the income that you've currently declared in the future which I think is fair.

fraggle45

Thanks for the info. When I was asked I gave a number but said I didn't know exactly because my partner has never told me so it's not a correct figure any way

debt_doctor

Hi Fraggle,


I've replied to your PM.


DD

fraggle45

Edited....

fierystormcloud

fraggle45 wrote: »

Hi, recently bankrupt. Went through budget with OR which turned out to be a £200 deficit between that and my earnings. Then he took my partners earnings into account and said I could afford to pay £150 a month back!

Trouble is we pay 50 50 into the house and I can't afford to meet all those payments and the IPA and my partner won't pay more (not married ) and I can't make him.

Does this sound right that just because in theory my partner earns a lot more than me and the OR has a proportional rule that I have to pay this money which I honestly don't have and can't find - I'm on disability.

What happens if I can't pay?

Not being funny, but this does not sound like a particularly healthy partnership.

How come you are bankrupt and he isn't?

How did you rack up loads of debt when he didn't? And why did he not/does he not help you?

His partner is disabled/low wages/partly on benefits/bankrupt, and he has this 'I'm all right Jack, pull up the ladder' attitude.

I don't get why you're with him to be honest. He doesn't sound particularly very supportive.

Do you have anyone else that can help you financially? EG; parents or close family who could let you move in?

I am very sorry for your troubles, and I am sorry you have had to go bankrupt, and I apologise if I offend you, but going on what you have told us so far, your 'partner' sounds like no more than a flatmate.

fraggle45

Thanks for your reply...I think! We are a very happy couple and he is supportive but 50 50 is what we both wanted and agreed to before moving in together. I think lots of couples have separate finances except for the household. I do not wish to be 'kept' so it's as much my attitude as anything else. He's not bankrupt because he works very hard. I went bankrupt due to becoming unwell and things spiralled money wise very quickly.

debt_doctor

Hi,


Thanks for your reply to my questions from your/ my PM.
So, you provided an estimate of your partners income because he doesn't tell you what he earns.
The Insolvency Service (IS )should work with facts regarding income not guesswork.
You should tell the IS that you do not know your partners income (as this is the truth). Their guidance should then lead them to the conclusion that your partner pays for 50% of all household bills.
If that is the case, does that make your IPA nil / minimal?
DD