www.iva.co.uk

Hi
I joined the site last week just wanted to say thank you for the advice and support I have already received.

After many many sleepless nights, lots of tears (on my part) a trip to the doctors and a very long call from Tina from Mel's office (which was very much appreciated) we have decided to go down the IVA route. As most of the debt is in hubby's name, I don't have to go into one, which in some ways is positive (as we rent) so I suppose at least one of our credit checks would be ok, I thought we would both have to go into the IVA, however we are both in this together and have to support each other.
Hubby is contacting the credit card companies tomorrow to tell them we cannot pay this month and I need to sort all the bank account stuff out as we have an overdraft, such a lot to do set up a new account and the direct debits etc.
I'm worried what the cc companies will say, I have received the initial paperwork and will be sending off the letters tomorrow to the cc companies and gathering all the info to send off.
I guess I'm just worried about the whole process, worried because this is the first time we have not been able to pay and I'm scared. I can't sleep and when I do all I dream about is IVA's think about it 24/7.
I do think we have made the right decision and not an easy one at that as we have tried for many years to deal with this ourselves.
just wondered if anyone else felt like this and does it get better

Hi there

I would not worry too much about what the credit card companies have to say. They are very used to seeing people entering into IVAs and if you are doing it for the right reasons - which I know you are! - then there should be little to worry about.

Call us whenever you have a bad moment - that is what we are here for at the end of the day.

Hi Melanie

Thanks for your reply, I just worry to much I guess and it's all very scary. I'm going to give Tina a call tomorrow, she was very helpful on Friday bless her, listening to me for nearly 2 hours. I'm so glad I found this site came across it accidentally, lots of helpful information and so nice to know we are not alone in this.
Thank you for your help, I guess we will be speaking soon
Jo

Call her as often as you need to - her job is to keep our clients reassured throughout the process and she would prefer to help than to have you worrying alone.

Thank you Melanie I will
Jo

Welcome...what you are going through mirrors aLl of our feelings at the outset...it is natural. You have made the hardest decision and that was to ackowledge your debt issues and and to do something about it.
You have chosen an excellent IP to support you and as as Mel says Tina will give you the support all the way!

Once the IVA is approved I can assure you that it will become second nature to live life to the budget and you will begin to enjoy life - you will certainly begin to respect everything you do as you do it within your own budget and and at the end of the month you will be in credit rather than overdrawn - even if it is down to the last penny !

There are plenty of us on here that are going through and have come out the otherside - feel free to post as many concerns as you have and we will help you through it - you are not alone !

Hi Lulu
Thank you for your reply, it's good to know that we are not the only ones going through this, I know it does feel like it especially when family and friends don't know (my mum does but not hubby's family) don't want to tell them either. as I said stumbled across this site by accident was googling IVA's so glad I did, it's great to know the support is there.
I have read lots of positive posts about Mel and her team and Tina was brilliant, very supportive didn't judge me at all so glad I contacted them.
As you said the hardest decision was to admit that we needed help and making that first phone call. just want to get it started now and hopefully once the IVA is approved ( fingers crossed) we can start to enjoy life as you said.
It's going to be a hard journey but one we need to take to become debt free, now that will be a great feeling
Jo

I'm in the same situation at the moment Jo- and had the same great experience in talking to Tina also.
Paperwork received on friday so working on getting everything together today. the only thing that worries me is that my first ever missed payments to creditors will be today- and I need to phone most of them for balance sheets/a copy of original agreement (cant find them anywhere)
I'm on annual leave from work this week, and couldnt help but worry last night- but its for the best and will be glad when its all in place

Ladies - trust me, it will only be a matter of weeks until the world will seem a different place, but I know its easier said than done as the first couple of weeks feel so vulnerable.

You both have my number so have no worries in calling whenever you need to - and you know 'office hours' are a bit of a myth for us!

hiya lulu is so right, we have all been in the place you are now.

i found gathering all off the documentation required,setting up a new bank account and waiting for my proposal to be prepared, the most stressful part of the procedure.

i also stopped making payments to my credit cards once i had decided the iva was the way forward, and sent out letters to them all, i did eventually receive phone calls, probably about a month later. i decided to answer them and explained that i was in the process of an iva and each credit card company would then put a hold on the account and not call for another fortnight, the callers i dealt with were always polite. i know some people decide not to take their calls and thats ok to do to.
but you are in very good hands, with melanie and her team you get a very thorough and personal service, and as much reassurance as you require.

Hi Cat86
thanks for your message, I know how you feel it's all very worrying but as you said once it is in place should start to feel better. I'm off this week too been signed off by the doctor as the stress was too much couldn't concentrate at work. we just have to stay positive ( easy said than done I know) at least we have taken the first steps. good luck with the creditors stay strong and at least we have the support of all the other members on this site as well as Mel and her team
we can do this

hi Tina & Kat68
I'm sure it will get better. off to town to set up new account now and find a photocopier as not at work so can't use that one!!
Thanks for all your support I do really appreciate it
Jo

I'm also at the first stage and am with Mel's team too. Tina was so helpful when I spoke to her, and I know she doesn't mind us contacting her. I'm in the process of getting paperwork together, and there's such a lot to do! I'm sending what I have off, and will forward other things as I get them.

Just hope it all get sorted out soon (for all of us!)

me too Sarah, I just keep thinking what if this or that goes wrong and the IVA is not accepted, I think I will be more settled when it's in place, hubby says I worry far too much
hopefully in a few months it will be sorted x

I'm sure you will both be fine - we're here for a virtual hug anytime you need us.