Priority creditor ranking

janetelfer

msb1234 said:

A good outcome for you Janet. I’m sure the very last thing you needed to be faced with when coming to terms with your daughter’s death is dealing with creditors. I’m dealing with them on behalf of my late mother and although they are always courteous, I could do without the angst of getting the legalities right, 

Legalities....agreed, But I've found the time taken to get answers from creditors has been the most frustrating, followed closely by their not reading my letters/emails accurately or fully, leading to more delays!

I wish you good luck.

janetelfer

Brie said:

I'm glad you got things resolved with the utilities.  Granted they know that those who are alive and working are struggling to keep up with bills and they need to write off a lot of that debt.  Taking after those who are dead or grieving isn't going to achieve much for them.  

I hope you manage to sort everything else out in the fullness of time.  

Thank you very much.

janetelfer

kaMelo said:

The best could find was this list for the prescribed priority order categories for debt repayment from an insolvent estate. Important to note that you must clear all creditors debts in a category before you can move onto the next (lower priority) category. 
https://www.bereavementadvice.org/topics/probate-and-legal/insolvent-estates/

It also lists debts to central/local government within the same priority category as utility bills. 

Thank you for taking the trouble to find that link. It definitely fits with what I thought I'd read before, i.e. government debt  carries no more weight than other unsecured debts. However, the council is unyielding and Brie above is certain they are correct - and my letter today from the debt collector acting for the power supplier confirming that they are closing the account supports her position. Cheers