Desperately need help

nigrub94

I don’t really know what will happen with the house, as it’s in both their names. So once it’s paid & if we were to move I don’t know whether he’s entitled to half or what on earth happens. My mums trying to sort out all of her finances and everything with the divorce, but it’s incredible difficult

starting_again_in_the_sun

I'm sorry you're in the situation, it isn't fair at all.

You should apply to your university hardship/ learning fund ASAP, in my experience they are generous but they have a limited 'pot' of money and when it's gone it's gone.

Does your sister work at all?

enthusiasticsaver

There are a few economies which could be made like getting rid of cable tv and maybe lowering groceries slightly and not buying new clothes but the soa does not have a lot of leeway due to low income and the high debts. When the 0% deals run out I agree your position will be untenable unless you can get your grandparents to help or your income increases.

A DMP would be your best bet with maybe increasing payments once you graduate. It will be a long haul though and bankruptcy may be your only option. See what stepchange say.

nigrub94

I've spoken to my grandparents, and they don't want me to have to go bankrupt, so they've offered to pay for my car expenses (PCP + insurance + petrol) which will give me about £270 spare a month, which hopefully should be ok for a DMP. Hopefully once I graduate my income will increase, and there's possibility of overtime and any additional help from university. I'm going to speak to Stepchange tomorrow to see what they advise with this revision.

Sarastro

Gosh, I really feel for you - bit of a nightmare situation. I don't have a lot to add to the above advice but is there nothing more that can be done to pursue your Dad for maintenance, and his half of the mortgage?
If you don't want to move, is equity release an option for your Mum? Can you rent a room?

I think you should avoid bankruptcy if you possibly can so I can only say dig deep and pursue all options.

Scilly

Firstly, it's great to read that you can be so frank & honest with your family, that's a good thing! I'm glad your grandparents can help you out too. It sounds like DMP is the best way forward for you. I hope StepChange help you! Good luck & all the best. Do keep us updated with how you get on.

CBN

Found myself reading this thread and didn’t want to leave without saying that I am full of admiration for what you have done to take care of your family, hold down a job and a place at uni, in the face of what sounds like an awful thing to happen to you all. Wishing you all the luck in the world - you deserve it. And with the level of determination and resolution you have shown I am certain you will get through this and make a great success of your life.

CapricornLass

Is your mum entitled to any benefits? May be worth putting your details through an on-line benefit calculator, and see if she is elegible for anything.

The worst that will happen is that you lose an hour of your life filling in the details.

consultant31

Although I cannot be of much help, I would like to say that you sound like an incredible person with a good head (and even better heart).

I'm sure your Mum, sister and grandparents are massively proud of what you've achieved so far. Holding down a job, going to uni and supporting your family is hard enough but for someone so young, it's amazing :T

Please, please put any thoughts of "offing" yourself firmly out of your mind. Nothing is that bad, it honestly isn't....it's only money and there's always a way out.

Good luck

jude47

Hi nigrub94 and welcome to MSE. You're doing incredibly well and the regular, knowledgeable posters here will give you all the support and help you need to deal with your debt situation. Contacting StepChange or CAB is absolutely the way to go. They won't promise what they can't deliver and can also advise on benefits your mum may be able to claim. One that comes to mind is Student Exemption for Council Tax - your mum should claim this if not already doing so.
Please don't go 'off forum' to private conversation with new posters claiming to have a magic wand to deal with your debts. If such a thing existed, regular posters here like Soucrates and debt doctor would know about it and would be shouting it from the rooftops.
Cotswoldtony I have reported your post as I believe it's wrong to mislead the OP into believing you have any legitimate advice to offer, and getting them to go off forum is potentially damaging to them. If you have a debt solution that 99% of people (including debt advice specialist s) don't know about, post it here and I will apologise for doubting you.