Unsure what to do to help friend with debt/Lowell

[Deleted User]

Contracts purchased in-store are not subject to the 14 day cooling off period.

Also O2's contracts are made up of 2 parts - the tariff charge and the finance for the handset.

MEM62

sassy-one wrote: »

Not doing a very good job then, so far, managing this guys finances.

And right here we have the winner of this week's troll of the week award :T
Damn! Just fed him :-(

naturalsuperwoman

Hi All,

Thank you so much for your feedback. I’ll try to answer your queries:

1. My friend has lots of different debts, apart from loans and overdrafts etc, he has also inherited a property which through no fault of his own and ongoing legal action from the executors also now incurred service charges and maintenance fee around £35000. He tried to get support from CAB but can’t sustain the engagement long enough to complete any of the processes.

2. He has had a DRO before so knows the process. He has contacted a debt charity for assistance but was unable to sustain this process. He also is not willing to accept any marks on his credit files as he has only just got clear of a previous 6 year period from the previous DRO. He also doesn’t trust the debt charities to act in his best interests.

3. He now no longer had a support worker as he did not get on and felt as they could only offer him 1 hour every other week it was pointless having this service, and has withdrawn al consent for support which means he has been discharged from the service. So now has no support.

4. He originally signed some documents for me to act on his behalf over a year ago but has not sent them off as he keeps changing his mind about whether he feels I’m competent enough to act on his behalf.

5. At this point I am drowning in emails and phone calls when I work a full time job and live 160 miles away, so I am doing the best ai can when I can. Unfortunately there are no free support services to help him with this on a continuous basis, his difficulties are such that he can’t do follow up phone calls and appointments unless someone sits with him or takes him.

6. He has previously had a form completed by his doctor for one of his debts but the Drs surgery charge £30 a form for completion and he couldn’t pay for a few months. He now has the form but hasn’t sent it off I don’t think.

I’m just really worried he is potentially going to lose his home and this would have a significant impact on his mental health.

Thank you everyone for your advice and help. I feel a bit lost here.

[Deleted User]

As above

Contact StepChange or other, post a SOA on the DFW board

Willing2Learn

Hi naturalsuperwoman


What type of home does your friend reside in? Is it their own home or are they a council tenant or housing association tenant?
Do you know if your friend is classified as a 'vulnerable' adult?
Do you know what benefits your friend is receiving?
Is your friend in receipt of any income (including benefit)?

naturalsuperwoman

My friend inherited a flat so owns that. I’m not sure if he is classed as a vulnerable adult - I don’t think so.

He receives PIP and ESA but that’s it.

I contacted Lowell but they were not overly friendly and have asked that I get a letter of authority. They started asking me about his other debts, if I know what other amounts he pays, does he own his own home etc and then started asking questions about me and do I own my own home etc? I felt uncomfortable and it felt a bit shady to be honest so I terminated the call, think I would prefer to do things in writing although they kept pressing g me to do things via phone call.

Sea_Shell

Wow, you're going well above and beyond what a lot of people would do for a friend, or even family!!

Don't forget to look after yourself in all this too, which might have to involve taking a step (or 3) back from the situation.

You're doing your best... don't beat yourself up for not being able to solve their issues, finances being just a part of that.

Do they have anyone else, family etc. that can share some of the load?

fatbelly

naturalsuperwoman wrote: »

My friend inherited a flat so owns that. I’m not sure if he is classed as a vulnerable adult - I don’t think so.

He receives PIP and ESA but that’s it.

I contacted Lowell but they were not overly friendly and have asked that I get a letter of authority. They started asking me about his other debts, if I know what other amounts he pays, does he own his own home etc and then started asking questions about me and do I own my own home etc? I felt uncomfortable and it felt a bit shady to be honest so I terminated the call, think I would prefer to do things in writing although they kept pressing g me to do things via phone call.

naturalsuperwoman wrote: »

6. He has previously had a form completed by his doctor for one of his debts but the Drs surgery charge £30 a form for completion and he couldn’t pay for a few months. He now has the form but hasn’t sent it off I don’t think.

I’m just really worried he is potentially going to lose his home and this would have a significant impact on his mental health.

He needs proper debt advice. Now you could get yourself genned up on this, and you are clearly learning (lesson 1 - do everything in writing and don't allow them to harass you by phone).

He is clearly vulnerable and has evidence from his GP. I'd consider copying that form as long as the content is sensible, and sending it to his creditors.

He will not lose his home through non-priority debts. But he should not think about taking out secured loans. The worst that could happen as things stand is a ccj followed by a charging order. Orders for sale are never granted in the situation your friend is in.

Why not have a look at what is available locally in debt advice. Christians against Poverty are very hands-on and do home visits. Local centres such as the Community Money Advice network can similarly be good.

Failing all that, keep posting. There is some good help on these boards but the dfw board is probably the most suited to your friend.