Is my debt a lost cause!?

Grantos

Hi everyone,

Firstly I'm sorry if this is in the wrong part of the forum.

My name is Grant and I'm in serious debt related trouble. I have scoured the internet for information and advice but I still don't know what I can do, who can work with me to put this right and I am getting seriously depressed and scared now.

I have council tax arrears, water arrears, mortgage arrears, unpaid fines, unpaid legal aid contributions. Last year I lost my job and my driving licence.

I am now self employed trying to make a small business work because it's about the only thing I know how to do. I have a very small income at the moment supported by a small working tax credits payment.

I can barely afford to live at the moment and to be honest it's making my life a misery, I feel like a failure at life at present.

Some of the debts are at bailiff stage and the courts fines really worry me.

I don't know who to go to for help, I really want someone to work with me to get things turned around and start getting my life back.

Can anyone help, please??

Thanks in advance,

Grant

asparagus1968

Hi, have you rang any of the debt charities yet? you need to do this today, as soon as possible. They will help you and they do it for free!


some of the well known ones are:


STEPCHANGE
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY (no faith needed)
NATIONAL DEBTLINE


also, you could complete this, so you have all facts in front of you:


http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php


at the bottom of the form is a button marked " format to MSE" that will post it here for you.


good luck

Grantos

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, I contacted CAP earlier but they won't help as I'm self employed. I went on to contact CAB who are going to call me back apparently. I've created an income and expenditure spreadsheet although with income being so varied I can't guarantee that part is accurate.

What's worse is that I've just been handed a letter from my partner stating that I must pay or make an arrangement for the council tax debt by 03/02/16 or they'll seize my car which was parked on the drive this morning.

It's in my name but my partner drives it and insures it so I can get to places of work, children to school etc.

anna_1977

I don't know how this works but can you sign the car over to your partner today?

sourcrates

anna_m wrote: »

I don't know how this works but can you sign the car over to your partner today?

Can't do that, as it looks as if the bayliffs may of listed it in a controlled goods agreement, unless it's not the OP's, or its on finance, they can take it.

Suggest you make an arrangement to pay ASAP.

National_Debtline

anna_m wrote: »

I don't know how this works but can you sign the car over to your partner today?

If an enforcement notice has already been served - as appears to be the case - then trying to sign the car over now will not help. The bailiffs/agents can continue to pursue their interest in the vehicle regardless as their warrant has a "binding effect" on the debtor's goods.


Dennis
@natdebtline

National_Debtline

Grantos wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Firstly I'm sorry if this is in the wrong part of the forum.

My name is Grant and I'm in serious debt related trouble. I have scoured the internet for information and advice but I still don't know what I can do, who can work with me to put this right and I am getting seriously depressed and scared now.

I have council tax arrears, water arrears, mortgage arrears, unpaid fines, unpaid legal aid contributions. Last year I lost my job and my driving licence.

I am now self employed trying to make a small business work because it's about the only thing I know how to do. I have a very small income at the moment supported by a small working tax credits payment.

I can barely afford to live at the moment and to be honest it's making my life a misery, I feel like a failure at life at present.

Some of the debts are at bailiff stage and the courts fines really worry me.

I don't know who to go to for help, I really want someone to work with me to get things turned around and start getting my life back.

Can anyone help, please??

Thanks in advance,

Grant

Hi Grant


I strongly recommend that you speak to our colleagues at Business Debtline. They will be able to help you work out a budget that reflects your fluctuating business income, and then work through a plan to deal with your debts one by one.


www.businessdebtline.org


Dennis
@natdebtline

Grantos

Hi Dennis,

My debts aren't business related though?

Also my car is on a private driveway and it is the only mode of transport we have for work as most of the work I do is mobile and requires a vehicle, also the V5 may be in my name but that isn't proof of ownership is it?

Thanks,

Grant

National_Debtline

Hi Grant

Grantos wrote: »

Hi Dennis,

My debts aren't business related though?


You don't have to have business debts to benefit from Business Debtline's advice. They can help you ensure that your budget properly separates any tax-deductible business-related expenditure from your personal household budget, as this is an area where sole traders often struggle.

Also my car is on a private driveway and it is the only mode of transport we have for work as most of the work I do is mobile and requires a vehicle, also the V5 may be in my name but that isn't proof of ownership is it?


If the vehicle is essential to your trade you can argue that it is exempt from any action by enforcement agents, but the value of this exemption is limited to £1350 - is your vehicle worth less than this? Is it branded or decorated in any way that makes it more obviously a tool of your trade e.g. "Joe Bloggs Handyman Services" ?

Thanks,

Grant

Dennis
@natdebtline

Grantos

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for that, I didn't realise, I've just got off the phone to Payplan whom I've been dealing with for a few weeks. Although very pleasant to speak to, a bit of a waste of time in my circumstances.

The vehicle is essential to my trade as I do mobile vehicle diagnostics and I've just started to do mobile remapping. I don't have any signs on it because of the equipment I carry when working.

Obviously the car is no longer on my driveway and won't be back on there in a hurry.

Grantos

It's been a while but I thought I'd give an update.

I returned to court a month ago and gave them my income and expenditure, which showed I could afford about £40 a month. Regardless of this they ruled I had to pay them £300 on the day and £150 per month commencing 30/04/16.

I contacted citizens advice and went in for a meeting prior to this and the chap helped me with income and expenditure and called Newport City Council to put any action regarding council tax on hold.

I've been trying to pay everything on time, doing as much as I can to earn money but at the moment it's just not enough. I haven't been able to speak to the CAB chap, I've sent him a few direct emails since the beginning of this month with no reply. A bailiff knocked my door earlier stating that they have been instructed to continue action. I rang the CAB again and they said someone will call me back.

It seems like no matter what I do I can't get out of it no matter how hard I try. It feel like I'm being penalized for being poor! I'm doing everything I can.

Is there anyone out there that can help me get my life back!?

Grantos