www.iva.co.uk

I haven't posted in a while as I have been busy trying to collect myself together and save the money to petition myself for bankruptcy.

Since my attempt at DMP was dead before it set sail and my IVA proposal didn't really have any wings, BR was my only remaining viable option.

I read and read some more, I lurked and lurked in different forums, and I listened and questioned.

I saved every spare penny for the past 2 months and downloaded the necessary paperwork. I filled it all in last week, drew the required funds from my bank account, and walked to the Insolvency Service this morning to apply for BR.

I paid my fee of £465, then walked to the court where I handed over the paperwork with the remaining £115 fee. I was offered a court date for two weeks time, when hopefully I will be able to part draw a new line in the sand.

I don't know what is around the corner for me; trepidation or elation would not be the feelings I am currently experiencing. It is not even relief as lately I have learned to be a more cautious, bordering on pessimistic type personality.

No, it is a slight optimism (can I feel that? Am I allowed?), tinged with guilt and regret, with a broken marriage and some health concerns as the cost of my folly.

However, I am feeling quite good. My ex went through her BR some weeks ago and has since managed to purchase her half of the BI in our house (or rather our daughter has bought it). I will look to achieve a similar result, and only then can I move on with the knowledge that my family will be safe in the home that I built for us (them). I will move on, but the future now looks less daunting for me.

I thank all the regular posters and advisors on here, and I will post again as and when I hit each milestone.

Hi Dave,

Nice to see you again. Glad you are managing to get everything sorted out and hopefully, in a couple of weeks, you can start again.

You've had a tough time and have tried your hardest.

You can feel optimistic. The only way from here is up.

Keep us informed as to how you are getting on.

Good luck with your Bankruptcy hearing, there is nothing wrong with feeling optimistic and I'm so glad the future is looking less daunting for you.

All the best x

I have nothing but respect and admiration for the way that you have dealt with your situation.

Best of luck, and keep in touch.

How are the dogs and ferrets Dave?

Thankyou all.

Dogs are great thanks Jan, x. Ava (dobe) costing a fortune at vets with all sorts of neurological problems (thank goodness for insurance).

Male dobe barking at everything that moves and some things that don't.

Whippets tearing around as usual and ferrets looking forward to working this winter.

My Russell barks for England as well and is particularly fond of cars!

Glad they're all ok.

It's good to hear from you again Dave.

There's nothing wrong with feeling optimistic - when I went BR it felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders as it was a fresh start.

Good luck, and let us know how you're getting on x

Lovely to hear from you Dave and I agree with Skippy about the feelings when you go BR as a last resort. Good luck Dave.[:)]

Awww hope Ava is okay [:(]xx

As scheduled, my BR court appearence was today. I arrived at 11:30 to sit in a busy corridor alongside a half a dozen other fellow petitioners (not sure if that's a word).

Some looked around nervously and a couple laughed and joked. I spoke in hushed tones to a guy who sat next to me sighing and breathing quite loudly. He had a similar story to myself and he told me that his life had been taken over by phone calls and threatening letters and he had been drowning in debt over a couple of years.

I was called before him at 11:45 and he wished me well as I entered the school like room.

The Master was sitting at the front behind a large desk and she invited me to sit in front of her.

She asked me had I sought advice and on answering yes, she declared me bakrupt, handed me a sheet of paper with my bankruptcy reference number and wished me well in the future.

Two minutes later I left the room declared bankrupt.

I left the court feeling relieved, but still cautious. Perhaps I'll celebrate when I know I can secure the BI on my half of my house. Maybe I'll wait until I am discharged.

What I did do was came straight home and successfully apply for a co-op basic bank account. I had already been running a basic bank account, but it is with a subsidory to one of my creditors so I needed to jump on my terms before they threw me out on theirs.

Congratulations Dave and hopefully the BI will be resolved quickly. I had a few clients in Belfast today and I know there were over 20 listed for self adjudication.

Your story shows there is nothing to worry about in the court but no matter how many times I tell people they are still very nervous. Hopefully your nerves are gone now but if there are any left you should open a cold one.

Hi Dave,

I'm so glad it went ok for you today. You can draw a line under your debts now and hopefully get the house sorted.

Good luck.

Good luck for the future scirocco. Your user name is quite apt I feel, as hopefully the winds of change will blow fair for you.

I'm glad it went well today, and good luck for your fresh start xxx

Good luck from myself too x