www.iva.co.uk

Hi to everyone on this forum. I just wanted to say how helpful I have found everything on the forum and the support you give and receive. I am currently in talks with Debt Lifeboat about an IVA after running up £50K in debt over the last few years. Recently became self employed and are now struggling to pay my debts. I have spent all weekend reading everything on the forum and on IVA.com and decided that this is possibly my only route. I had been speaking to some and Money Debt and Credit and found them a little stroppy and judgemental.
Debt Lifeboat are currently putting my proposal together and I have butterflies in my stomach as this could be my chance to get out of debt and sort out my life.
Just wanted to say thank you to you all even in the early stage that I am I feel very positive about my future.[:I]

Hi and a big welcome to the forum[:)]

The facing up to the fact you are in trouble can often be the hardest step to take, so well done for doing that and getting help.
It can seemll up in the air when going through the iva process as things are very much out of your control, but it is so worth it.

Are you having a face to face meeting with debt lifeboat as you are self employed to discuss everything as I have read that that is recommended for people who are self employed?

Good luck and I hope all goes well
Emma x

Hi emma, thanks, they have advised that they can do most over the phone. They have advised they deal with loads of people in my situation as I did not want it to affect my business, which at present looks like it wont.

So fingers crossed x

I hope all goes well for you, it is not easy but the end result is you are back in control of your life[:)]

Hi fed up and broke. Just wanted to say hello and welcome. I think we all had butterflies and a few more feelings in the early stages. i wish you well, keep us informed of how things are going and query anything that you arent sure of.

Ang

Thank you ang. You have all already been so helpful x

hi fed up we have just sent our proposal back all signed.. so know exactly what you're going through!! keep your chin up.. it is really daunting but hopefully won't be for too much longer..

I hope so - I feel relieved just facing upto it - today is the first days in months that I haven't cried x

Just a point - they have to meet you on a face to face basis as you are self-employed in accordance with Statement of Insolvency Pracrice No 3.

Thanks melanie - I thought that would be the case

if you haven't signed anything you may want to give Melanie a call.

You really do need to do a face to face as there are a number of implications for getting it wrong.

I haven't signed anything yet - had a phone call today from Debt Lifeboat and they are calling me again tomorrow to get all the account numbers etc. They advised me they deal with several cases of self employed people. The IVA.com website recommend them and they are local to me - should I be going through someone else?

You should go with the people who you feel will best handle your case. If you are happy with your current provider then this is fine, but do make sure you get offered a face to face meeting as self-employed people cannot be dealt with appropriately over the telephone. I am sure that they will be able to accomodate this for you.

Ok thanks will do. The other firm keep hassling me (MDC) - and have already sent me documents to sign - for which I don't like what they have written they haven't taken into account that I am self employed.

A top tip when choosing a provider - if something does not feel right then it probably isn't. And five years is a long time to find out that something was wrong or missed at the beginning. I would suggest that any IP who is seeking to cut corners has to be a little suspect.