Would I have to declare DMP on divorce paperwork?

Pennypanj · 21 March 2022 at 12:17PM

Hi,
My husband and I are separated. I had debts in my name only and took out a DMP after he left. He doesn't know about this, nor do I want him to know -as I know he would use it against me, either with regards to my parenting abilities/ children or to tell family and friends.
So, my question is, when we come to divorce- will I have to declare this on the financial paperwork? If so, is there a way around this? My DMP is not linked to any joint accounts or my current account.
Many thanks for any advice.
P.

sourcrates · 21 March 2022 at 1:06PM

Debt management is an informal arrangement between you and your creditors.

I don`t understand what you mean by "will I have to declare it", it depends what the question is.

If they ask have you ever been bankrupt ? you would reply no.

If they ask have you ever entered debt management ? you would say yes.

Are these questions that are likely to be asked ???

My divorce was 9 years ago, I don`t recall any such questions on my divorce papers.

Pennypanj · 21 March 2022 at 1:21PM

@sourcrates Thank you.
I was looking at copy of a form called 'Form E' which asks 'Detail any liabilities you have'..'Include money owed on credit card, loans' etc.
My thoughts are- a)would it harm to leave off the debts which are part of my DMP, as I am not asking for support with them/ I am not asking for them to be shared. And b) do they even check?
I know this seems dishonest, but if I am wishing to pay the DMP independently, and I don't want him to know about it- then would it matter?

sourcrates · 21 March 2022 at 2:01PM

Pennypanj said:

@sourcrates Thank you.
I was looking at copy of a form called 'Form E' which asks 'Detail any liabilities you have'..'Include money owed on credit card, loans' etc.
My thoughts are- a)would it harm to leave off the debts which are part of my DMP, as I am not asking for support with them/ I am not asking for them to be shared. And b) do they even check?
I know this seems dishonest, but if I am wishing to pay the DMP independently, and I don't want him to know about it- then would it matter?

Ah, OK, then you just list your debts as they are, there status won`t be known by anyone else, a DMP is not formally marked on your credit file, you may have "AP" markers (arrangement to pay) or defaults, but nothing that specifically states you are in a DMP.

Anyone doing a credit check on you for any purpose other than borrowing, would only see publicly available information, which for the most part would only be any bankruptcies/insolvencies or CCJ`s.

moving_forward · 21 March 2022 at 3:37PM

I would personally list them as without the debt your assets look more and could affect any settlement. Especially list them if they were built up during the marriage.