Wow, ORs are actually human...

Debtkitten

Had my OR interview today! My call was at 11am, and I have to say I was absolutely terrified, far more worried than when I was waiting for my bankruptcy date!

However the OR was really nice, non-judgemental and kept reassuring me not to feel like I was being interrogated by the KGB, that it was all part of the process! He asked me lots of questions about what lead to the bankruptcy, where the money went, my failed IVA (lots of questions about that!), and my employment history. Couldn't answer all of his questions, but he didn't seem too bothered. He thanked me for being very articulate and detailed on the forms where it askes you to write about what lead you to being unable to pay your debts as it helped him alot!

I mentioned that one of the reasons that I originally chose an IVA over BR was having it reported in the local paper, but when I saw it today, I realised exactly how tiny it was (only 4 lines), squashed in with about 15 others, to which he replied that apart from the people in the notice, the only other people who ever look through the bankruptcies in the local papers are "morbid old !!!!!!!s that never leave the house" anyway!

After going through it all he asked if I would agree that I went through about a year of living beyond my means, and I accepted that I did, but he also added that as I was studying part time during this period he didn't think it was anything to be concerned about as I could have realistically expected a salary increase after completing the course so I could pay off my debts. He also said that as I hadn't taken out any more credit in the last 2 years, and I had tried to pay off as much as I could through starting an IVA and when it failed I sort further advice from National Debtline, that it showed I didn't take my debts or bankruptcy lightly.
The only query he had about my I & E was very high travel costs, but I explained I had to travel by train to college in another town 3 times a week, which he noted and said was fine.
He told me not to expect an IPA, and most helpful and nicest of all, he ended the call by saying "Try not to worry about it, we all make mistakes, you've obviously tried your hardest to rectify the situation, and I think you did the right thing."
The call lasted about 45 mins, and now it's over I feel like I'm walking on air, and I'm sure my high blood pressure that I've had since all this started just dropped!

Best of luck to everyone who has their BR appointments or OR interviews coming up, if it's anything like mine it will be fine, and will improve your life (and your mental health) more than you can imagine!
I'm off to carry on with the rest of my credit-free, sensible-with-money life!
:beer:

skylight

Ohh. Lucky you! Mine was nice too.

Glad it went AOK for you!

philnicandamy

Thanks for the update Debtkitten sounds like everything went well...good luck now with your new debt free life, your post will help people who are starting on the route to BR with any worries (usually whats the OR like!!)

onwards & upwards!

Phil

FeelingLow

i'm really pleased everything went well for you

Terrified77

Your post has given me hope today that, as you say, they are human. I hope when/if it's my turn that I have an experience similar to yours. Thanks for sharing!

fermi

That all sounds very good.

ORs/examiners are human.

We even have the odd one or two who pop in here from time to time and help out.

sparrabeth

Thanks for sharing.

I went BR on Friday and I got a letter today to say that they don't think they'll need to interview me. I completed my forms online and used the full 4000 characters (!) to explain why I got into the mess, so it ties in with what Debtkitten says about filling that bit in fully.

I spoke to a guy from the ORs office on Monday morning (he rang me at just past 8am - how keen?) and he was really reassuring - he gave me the chance to ask about everything that was worrying me (mostly my car, my tenancy and my bank account) and really put my mind at rest. I know from lurking on here that they aren't monsters and was really chuffed with the call, especially as I thought I would have to chase them up!

After a year of stressing, not sleeping, drinking too much and generally not looking after myself, I feel like I can start again. Even if I do have an interview, I'm not worried about it anymore - the guy made it clear that it would just be a formality in my case and it was clear that I had no other choice.

maxmycardagain

I can guarantee that my OR will not be all warm and cosy....



"Im only doing my job......"

Toon_Dave

hi all.

What a refreshing read this page has been. i have decided on BR today and from what i have read on here on others the OR's mostly seem to be ok.. i will not be looking forward to that part. i too am filling forms in online as we speak and will look to use the full 4000 characters too...

i hope with my situation with my Ex they dont think how stupid i was to be so trusting but i guess after 8 years together you think you know and can trust someone.

Thanks for posting and sharing experiences everyone.

Dave.

Toon_Dave

Lmfao @ Maxmycardagain.

Vici

Fabulous hun, sounds like your OR was just like mine. Glad you're all done xxx