UK Debt & living abroad

Jan2555

I need some advice please.  I have a loan that I took out when I was in the UK ( I am British). I’m now married to an American & living permanently in the USA.   I’m not currently working & have been make small (arranged) payments to my loan as I can’t afford the full monthly payment.  

The loan company won’t let me carry on with reduced payments & asked me to contact StepChange for a long term arrangement.  

However would this be appropriate if I’m not in the UK.   What would happen if I can’t pay the full payments.  Should I continue my reduced payments. 

Jan 

marcia_

 Do you plan on returning to the uk to live at any point? 

Jan2555

Very unlikely

sourcrates

Non of the debt charities will offer help to anyone who does not reside in the UK.

This topic emerges on here from time to time, posters who have UK debts, but who have moved abroad.

Basically, the same answer applies as much to you, as the others who posted previously, debts accrued under the consumer credit act, are mainly of the unsecured, non priority type.

It`s true that the mechanisms to recover this money do exist where some foreign countries are concerned, but on the whole, consumer debts are not chased abroad, if you stop paying, nothing will happen, letters will go to your last known address, court action may or may not be taken, but no enforcement action will happen if they don`t know where you are, and these would only be enforced in the UK anyway, never abroad.

So there won`t be a penalty for stopping payment if its unaffordable, as long as you don`t intend to come back here for at least 6 years.

Jan2555

Thanks so much for that information.  I really appreciate it.