I would like to rule out one of the 'charitable' organisations because when I had my IVA through CCCS - they were impeccable and totally honest. At one point my manager rang (rather embarrassed to be honest)to ask me for the names of my two cats and tortoise so that the file was complete. They did comment that I had not allowed enough for certain items (I thought I could feed a family of 4 on £120 a week) and they told me a higher figure was important to prevent the IVA failing.
I am going to try and post a little more from now on and get back in the swing so to speak, but I have to admit to concern about this thread. It is my job to make proposals as realistic for clients as possible, whilst bearing in mind the needs of the creditors. I have a client currently going through the IVA process who is married with 2 children. He absolutely insists that he spends £200 per month maximum on food. In my view, this is unrealistic, and I have questioned him a number of times on the matter but he swears blind that that is all he spends so that is what I have put in his proposal. My long term concern of course is that his proposal may be more likely to fail because of this tight budget, but what can I do?
I am inclined to agree with the view that it may be a case of the case manager trying to take the pressure off as much as he can, not an excuse of course but certainly a mitigating circumstance.
Regards.
Cert DR
23+ years in debt advice
I do not post for anyone other than myself
Glad to see you back after your dreadful time of late - I am glad I am not an IP - it must be very difficult at times to sort the wood from the trees at the same time trying to do your best for both sides. I think that most people are honest and want to do their best for their creditors and most IPs are honest too - IPs cannot always know exactly what their subodinates say to clients.
Welcome back from me too Size5. I agree that clients can at times be too optimistic about what they can afford because it is so much less than they were paying before. The case manager may well be trying to make the proposal sustainable and there is also the problem that creditors will reject a proposal that they feel is doomed to failure.
There is certainly a big difference between making up or grossly inflating expenditure and trying to give a client an I&E that will not punish the debtor and his/her family.
Futureisgood....congrats on your IVA completing successfully.
Size5 you make a very good point. Your between a rock and a hard place in regards to obtaining the best package for both the debtor and creditor. You and other IP's are best placed to have a good idea on what basis you think individuals IVA's are either workable or unworkable. The failure of an IVA benefits NO one be it creditor, IP or customer, whereas a successfull IVA benefits everyone and I can appreciate that when customers (debtors) are giving you figures that in your opinion may result in being unworkable then raising that figure must be an option.
I came into this world with nothing and still have most of it left!
It is lovely to see you back posting on the forum, and bringing that very balanced view that is so useful to all of us from both your personal and business experiences.
I have missed you, and hope it will not be too long before we can share a glass of wine again. I do hope that your daughter is as well as can be expected, and you must be very grateful of having such a close family over recent times. Thoughts still very much with you all.
Agreed Michael and after all we see more complaints on here regarding IP's not affording sufficient expenditure rather than debtors claiming they have been afforded too much.
In my own situation I have read several posts that people have accepted their creditors proposals/variations just to ensure that they can get their IVA. Unfortunately I will find myself in the exact situation at the end of this week at my creditors meeting and although I have read others posts of their acceptance of unworkable IVA's, in reality I will probably accept whatever the creditors throw at me for exactly the same reason, just to get some breathing space from the worry and sleepless nights that this nightmare of debt brings with it.
The only saving grace I have is confidence and trust in my IP to do the best for me and I know that Melanie, like other IP's on here, will do her level best on my behalf.
I came into this world with nothing and still have most of it left!
Thanks Mel. I would like to take this chance say thank you to all of you for your kind words and thoughts, especialy those who took the time to send me personal e mails.
It has certainly been a trying time, because of the nature of the accident it took a long time, relatively, to arrange evrything, and last Monday when I was a pallbearer and also had to make a speech was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever had to and, God willing, ever likely to have to do. I am comforted by the kind thought of friends and srtangers alike, and also by the fact that they rest together in the same coffin. My daughter has been amazing through this, certainly much better than me, although there may yet be a backlash of course.
Thnaks and regards.
Cert DR
23+ years in debt advice
I do not post for anyone other than myself
