Hi
Just as long as you are clear on why you are paying, what you are paying for and what happens to that money if an IVA is declined then the choice is yours.
I think this forum has shown that both David and Melanie offer a great service, although both have a slightly different systems in place for the first payment.
I have clients who have paid two payments in addition to their 60 month IVA, however they are happy with that as the process was clearly discussed and transparent in all the paperwork.
Just be clear in your own mind regarding payments before you actually hand any monies over.
Regards
Yes Melanie I am now. When I first contacted David's firm I was seperated from my wife but we were trying to get back together but we needed some time to do this. Because of this I was advised to start a DMP until we had sorted out the living arrangements which I knew at the time would take about 6 months. Then as soon as we sorted this out we got the iva underway. I do understand both sides of the argument but to be honest it would not have mattered to me if I paid a month up front or not as the main thing is to feel comfortable with who you choose. I actually contacted David's firm prior to finding the forum and in one way I am glad I did because if I had found the forum first then I would have been undecided if to choose yourself or David. To me there is nothing to choose between you as you are both excellent. It really does not matter when the first payment is made as long as the individual is happy with the arrangement of the whole iva.
IVA.co.uk The best place for debt advice. Thanks to Melanie Giles, David Mond, David and J (Elv5) Kallis, Dand, Skippy, Andy Davie
It sounds like you have had good advice - and I am pleased to see your comment that it would not have bothered you whether you paid a payment in advance or not - your choice having been made on the quality of advice you received alone.
Glad that you and your wife have got things back together again. A good marriage is absolutely priceless.
Thank you Melanie. You are absolutely right that quality of advise is absolute priority. I did choose the first IP I came across and did not speak to anyone else and I have been very fortunate that I did not end up with somebody that I was unhappy with. Personnally I would have been happy with either yourself or David and hand on heart I can not say that about any other IP.
IVA.co.uk The best place for debt advice. Thanks to Melanie Giles, David Mond, David and J (Elv5) Kallis, Dand, Skippy, Andy Davie
Reading all the above; just to make it perfectly clear Melanie explained everything to my husband in great detail including her reasons for the first payment. Photographs or no photgraphs ( why go to that trouble- Melanie can tell the Agents if she feels it necessary) it demonstrates committment to Melanie as the IP which I think an IP deserves to see from the very beginning if at all possible. My husband did not and does not regard it as "up front" only as the first payment. It goes without saying the advice my husband and I have received from Melanie (and for that matter our son, through us) has been first class,up front and straight to the point - no shades of grey and we are perfectly happy and confident to have a 5 (or whatever number it takes) year relationship with her and her firm. I hope that is our position made perfectly clear. J
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
However, on checking our paperwork, we had to send proof of identity, preferably either passport or driving licence, although I suspect a birth certificate would do if you didn't have either of the others!
I just don't remember having to send them - old age is catching up with me.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I know it does not mention photograph - I said I misread paragraphs as photographs because I did not have my glasses on. Where I have used the word "photograph" in error - the words should be "paragraphs". J
What would you do if you didn't have either of those?
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
My sight error has caused some confusion - I repeat, I agree with Melanie's reasoning and so does my husband. If anyone reads my long script please read paragraphs and NOT photographs. J
