Help! DRO or Bankruptcy - SOA

AllyMac

I didn't mean to suggest that the OP should prioritise the smallest debts - I was just trying to make the point that there was enough slack in the budget that the value of the two smallest could be found easily in a couple of months.

A large part of that was the gym membership which the OP hadn't at that point given the extra information about.

Even if the gym stays (OP, I'm sorry about your health and hope the gym & crèche does help to improve it) there is still slack.

The food budget is too high, and that's something that can be slashed instantly - no contracts!

And whilst I appreciate the OP is in a professional job, I still think £46 a month on clothes is a lot. I'm in a professional job - if you have been for a while (and it sounds like it here) you already have appropriate clothes. And primary uniform for a young girl generally isn't much, unless the school has special requirements. It's the great thing about having a daughter - boys grow out of trousers, but the same grey pinafore dress can be worn at a variety of lengths for quite a while!

fatbelly

Yes, the OP seems pretty switched on and I don't think they will be 'preferring' any creditor - seems to be a DRO/bankruptcy choice

The OR won't object to the food/housekeeping as a figure but if clothing looks high, they will take the OP's employment into consideration.

Where a bankrupt records higher than average outgoings for clothing or laundry, when compared with the HES, he/she should be asked to provide further explanation/evidence as to why the higher amount is required. ... Other factors to consider are the nature of the bankrupt's employment and clothing requirements arising e.g. whether he/she is required by his/her employer to fund specific clothing relevant to his/her employment

I think £46 for one adult, one child, will be accepted. Also

An allowance for sundries and emergencies of £10 per month for the bankrupt and £10 per month for each dependant household member may be included as an expense

so £20 there, and also something for a holiday.

MM1975

Yes benefits are Housing Benefit. Thanks so much everyone. I'm going to go DR.