ive heard that you can go to jail

[so17]

ive heard that you can go to jail if you fail to pay the amount due ? this worries me! is this true?

[chris.g]

The due amount on what? Please explain a bit more.

[Soulgrowth]

Hi so17 ... and welcome to the Forum. Do tell us a little bit more about your situation as there are lots of people here to help ... both experts and those of us who have debt problems as well. Going to jail over your debts is a very last resort ... so there is likely to be a solution to your problem ... so tell us a little bit more about yourself and your situation [:)]

Debbie

[so17]

well basicly i own around 15000 inculuding rent areas
1 have 4 credit cards and 3 hps and 1 bankloan i also have agreements with my mobile phone company which i cant get out of
and also my bt phone bill.
my out goings are are slighly more than my incommings
i was going to go for the iva thing but someone mentioned that if you dont pay your monthy payment you can go to jail.

[chris.g]

Hi, so17. Please try not to worry, there are many things that can be done to sort out the debt that you have. As far as I'm aware the only way you can be imprisoned is if you're in contempt of court, ie, there is an amount set by court and you refuse to pay. One of the experts will be along soon to advise you more.

[MelanieGiles]

Jail is for criminals who commit serious offences such as fraud or embezzlement. This does not generally relate to small, consumer debt related cases, so whoever told you that you might go to jail because of a modest amount of debt is seriously misinformed.

[so17]

ok thats reasuring

[so17]

how long before i get excepted from the initional application?

[MelanieGiles]

Have you approached an IP firm to act for you yet, as your debts are not that high and you would be a marginal case in my opinion. How much do you actually owe, excluding rent arrears, and how much do you feel you could afford to offer to pay creditors on a monthly basis?

[so17]

no not yet my dad is going through things at the moment couse his is numericly minded
and is good at sorting this stuff out
but he thinks this is a good idea

[Sensible77]

Misinformation like this makes my blood boil! The world is full of so called experts on any subject that don’t know what they are talking about. It only makes vulnerable people even more desperate. I have heard some right tosh from people about bankruptcy/IVA who haven’t a clue what they’re talking about – you’ll loose your job, (in some cases, yes, but not many), you’ll have your passport taken away from you, you’re chucked out on the street the day after you are declared bankrupt etc, etc. Thank heavens for websites like this that provide correct information and cut out the BS. Maybe this site could have a header at the top with a link to facts & myths about IVA’s & Bankruptcy.

Good luck, so17. I would recommend contacting Melanie Giles about an IVA.
Although I’m not with Melanie’s company, and I’m happy with the one I have, if I had known about her prior to entering into my IVA I would have used her company.

[Soulgrowth]

Dear so17 ... well done on confiding in your Dad about your situation and allowing him to help you. There are so many people who post on the Forum who feel they can't share their debt problem with their loved ones. It would be nice if Dad could post something from his point of view i.e about helping your children with their debt problems as I am sure that he would be able to give lots of inspirational advice to others in the same situation.

Don't forget that once Dad has worked the figures out, if you post them here you will be able to get some more objective advice from the experts [:)]

All the best

Debbie

[vickir]

I think that the only debt matter that may result in a custodial sentance is non-payment of council tax
Back in victorian times you could go to jail for not paying your debts - whoever told you this must be very old..