Help Before A DRO

Jamie_37

Hello

After years of financial struggles I have decided to apply for a DRO however I have a few questions on what I should do before applying given my current circumstances.

First of all I have not yet spoken to anybody regarding applying for the DRO but given the criteria I should qualify and be accepted for it, I don't own my home (living with family), my car is my own and worth £3,400.

I have had a breakdown in relationship with my employer and in February we decided to go our separate ways, to keep the case out of court I have now received financial compensation to the sum of £8,000 - My unsecured debts are around £40,000.

I have a holiday booked in July as well as other "short" breaks in April, May and August, they all still need paying off in some way or another and I'm aware you cant have assets worth more than £2,000 anyway

Ultimately my question is should I pay those holidays off plus other bits and save £2,000 whilst defaulting on my unsecured debts, or use the £8,000 to pay off my minimum payments until I'm left with £2,000 ?? I don't want the DRO adviser to say I have made my situation worse or that I should have used the funds to pay off some debts.

I have already setup a "safe" bank account which isn't credit checked, and I have provided UC/Carers with those details to pay my benefits, as I am now registered as caring for someone, I don't have any work commitments which means my circumstance wont change in the 12 months.

My current plan is to pay off my holidays now and start defaulting on my debts from April 30th, I will then apply for a DRO on July 30th and I will be able to provide three months "clean" bank statements and I wont have assets more than £2,000, I also then cant be accused of preferential payments if I have paid nobody.

If anyone thinks this is the wrong thing to do or can offer some better advice please let me know, I have 3 days left in April before my bank statement renews regarding any non-essential spending.

Thank you.