Bankruptcy, is this normal?

Wiggles321

Hi, I went bankrupt 4 weeks ago, and I'm just really confused about the process so far. 
I did lots of research so I knew what to expect as I have ongoing mental health battles mainly with anxiety. 
So far everything had been done via email... Some of it seems to be standard they send out but I then had to reply to an email about my car and why I needed it. Which I then got confirmed via email that I was allowed to keep. The next was around my debts and how and why I came to this situation to which i replied along with some documents to provide as evidence. The last email I had was on 15th May to send back signed forms NTB2,

TNIDIS, DPADA which they have received. Then I've not heard anything since this. Is this normal? As everything I read and they sent me said I would get a call from OR within 2 weeks? How long do people usually wait to hear about an IPA? I know this is pathetic and embarrassing but I'm too scared to make contact and ask them and I don't really have anyone to help me as my dd recently had a transplant so I am in hospital for the foreseeable due to so many complications. 

Initiating the bankruptcy process has been really overwhelming...although I'm also slightly relieved that they have dealt with everything via email so far as its massively helped me deal with it in smaller steps and keep my mental state in check as there is alot going on in life at the moment but now its just the fear of the unknown, do I have a call, do I not have a call?

I just wondered if anyone could share their experience or advice/ knowledge so I can settle my mind a little. Thank you so much 

cymruchris

Firstly it's not pathetic or embarrassing in being worried to contact them - many have been through bankruptcy at different stages of life, and have all experienced varying emotions in doing so. In terms of the official receiver when they do get in touch, all they're going to do is fact-find to establish how you got to where you did. No blame. They just have to ensure that you didn't do anything fraudulent (like spend £50k on credit cards in a month buying iPads to then declare bankruptcy when the bill came in).

It sounds like you're getting through the initial process by email (I didn't have that when I did mine) - so for now I'd say be patient (Particularly as you are a patient!), and I'm sure they'll get in touch soon. If you've not heard from them two weeks from now you could drop them an email just to make sure you haven't been forgotten (unlikely). Once you get the OR interview out of the way, as long as you've been open and honest, that's usually the last you hear from them until your automatic discharge in 12 months (unless they have to confirm or query something you couldn't answer on your telephone discussion).

You mention you're in hospital - are you on paid sick leave from a job? Or currently a jobseeker? (Albeit one in hospital). Do you have an income in terms of the IPA?

Wiggles321

Thank you for your advice and kind words and taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it.

I am not in hospital for myself. 
I had failed twice to manage a DMP over the last 2 years, due to a big change in circumstances after covid, again my mental health being so bad I just couldn't manage it alone and had no support network. But for a long while I did nothing to proactively sort my issues with my debt because I was just about surviving and getting through the day so that worries me how they will see that as I know it doesn't look good at all. I have sent them some letter of my hospital discharge paperwork around that time so I hope they can understand how much my debt has impacted me and what a big step this is and not a decision I've taken lightly. They probably don't even care really, but it matters to me! 

I am on ESA permitted work now so I work self employed but on limited hours and earnings, and we also get some small help with universal credit. (Household wise my partner and I live together so although he is not part of the bankruptcy he also works full time and we have 4 kids) I worry and get paranoid about every little thing! But I am not worried about having an IPA as I see it as a small price to pay for what feels like the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders and a line drawn across a really bad time of my life. Its just the general not knowing and uncertainty thats getting to me. I did pluck up the courage to send an email today asking if I could have an update and to double check they got all my paperwork. I haven't heard back yet but hopefully that will give me an idea of what the next step is. 

kevker23

It took nearly a month for the OR to contact me (I did chase up before then and the very helpful lady did say they are extremely busy and just be patient). I'm assuming their volume is only getting larger as the cost of living escalates and more and more people have no option but to go bankrupt. I would say at the moment it's probably normal, adn as long as the BR has been granted, then it's just a case of waiting for the OR to take the next step.

Czeskyy

Hi there, 
If may add from myself, it was exactly like in my case , few emails and forms to sign and one very brief phone call only to ask about my childcare experience.

I'm guessing those days they quite busy and as long you genuinely bankrupt ( i mean here not a milin pounds dodgy bankruptcy) it shall be straight forward.

Although I do advise to call Your OR and ask if there is anything else they need from You at the moment.

Best of luck and please don't stress , I did on beginning but now I'm relief.