OR meeting report!

london1973

I thought I would update on my meeting with the OR
The 'examiner' I was due to see had called in sick so the appointment was taken by someone I suspect was his junior, v.friendly young chap-
Pleasantly painless, despite my paranoia that they were going to have it in for me..as implied by various posters on this forum he was not judgmental and purely trying to establish the facts.
I was surprised that he announced straightaway that they had no interest in my bank accounts without even looking at the statements I had prepared, do they have access to these prior to the meeting?
We whizzed through the questionnaire, he didn't blink an eyelid at any of it really, including my Spanish bank account and extensive list of creditors (he asked a couple of questions on these but nothing probing) Further when we got to the page which lists monthly outgoings (I think referred to as SOA on these pages) I noticed I hadn't filled it in, missed the page completely! I was very apologetic but he just said 'oh don't worry about that, we don't need that unless you are working' (we had established that i wasn't)

With regard to the reasons behind my bankruptcy I explained my situation, how I had lived beyond my means for years, gambled excessively, borrowed from the company I ran, racked up a huge mortgage for personal use , avoided tax etc etc, my breakdown, treatment and subsequent recovery and 'good behaviour ' over the past 30 odd months, he didn't seem phased in the slightest-in fact no fewer than 3 times he said I would be discharged after a year...I made a real point of showing remorse and understanding, per the advice on this forum

When I asked about next steps he said they would be writing to the creditors as to whether there was a likelihood of any distributions 'but looking at this that seems unlikely' -

He shook my hand at the end pretty much said good luck with everything, and that the main examiner would be in touch if he needed anything else. I asked if he was a nice chap and he chuckled and said yes he was!

So a huge weight off my shoulders and to be frank a big surprise, I really expected more of a grilling, it was almost as if he knew most of it already and they had made their decisions, and this was just going through the motions-although clearly that can't be the case
I suppose i would be a lot more relaxed if this was conducted by the appointed examiner, as I fear he may want more info when he comes back to work, and we may have to start again -it did feel a bit 'oh well as you've turned up we better have someone interview you', if I'm honest!

amyjaj

Well done and good luck!

alltaken

I suspect it's more of a formality than a real exercise in financial assessment. You know, like a needed instance so people do not take the process too lightly.

Well done, I mean that in a sincere way, I know it's not easy (and mine was over the phone!), do you feel the honesty, showing remorse and handling yourself financially now, helped? Even with the relaxed attitude of the junior? Perhaps he was very skilled and deliberately airing an atmosphere of non-hostility, whilst constantly evaluating your attitude, with a smile of course. My interview was professional but relaxed.

Fingers crossed you even 'escape' a BRU, understandably not your largest concern as we discussed at some length before, although it looks as though your accounting fears have largely been quashed.

Sorry to hear you were given a hard time by some on the forum. It can be a dependency/lifeline for many - I still depend on this board and don't think I would have coped as well as I did without it, it's an amazing place, beyond compare in many ways.

Scooby99

Glad it went well. Did the interviewer say if you might have to have and income payment agreement? Mine never implied either way and I haven't heard since.

KeepOnKnitting

I would suggest that the interviewer you saw was entirely competent, and will have gathered all the information that is necessary. Don't expect anyone else to grill you. The lady I dealt with was lovely, kind and helpful, and had all the authority and expertise she needed. They reserve the 'big guns' for people who don't cooperate, or who might be able to make repayments.

Yes you screwed up (me too) but you have been responsible and sorted yourself out. Stop beating yourself up.

National_Debtline

Hi london1973


I'm glad to hear your experience of the interview was a positive one. It does serve to underline that it is intended as an information-gathering process, as opposed to a trial.


Dennis
@natdebtline

london1973

Thanks for responses

Alltaken; yes I think the honesty and remorse definitely helped, and he noted it- rather than constantly apologise throughout the interview I made a point of being very matter of fact and concise, and at the end just said my bit about how remoreseful I was, it did resonate

Not sure I understand your point about getting a hard time from some on the forum, I haven't seen anything, maybe I missed it on another thread, I have found this forum to be none other than positive-

Skooby99; no mention of an IPA, just accepted I wasn't currently working

Scooby99

I presume your income is entirely benefits then which would exclude you from an IPA

My reason for bankruptcy was gambling and I was told in the interview I would have to have a face to face interview about it, I took this as meaning I would get a BRO because of it.

sourcrates

I work with pigs, i see pigs every day, i understand pigs, know there needs, there likes, there dis-likes, i am used to working, with pigs.

The OR works with bankrupts, he sees bankrupts every day, he understands bankrupts, he knows there fears, there worries, he is used to working with bankrupts.

Do you get my drift.

worriedmamma

So glad it went well London xx

london1973

thanks WM X