Hello, hope you can help

[pixie70]

Hi there, I'm hoping that someone here might be able to give me some advice. I lost my husband to cancer last year, he didn't leave a will and was personally insolvent when he died. Amongst his creditors was Barclaycard who have handed (sold?) his debt to HFO Services Ltd. My solicitor has written to them on several occasions following increasingly threatening letters to me but now they have started sending letters with my husband's details on addressed to the "Occupier" at my address. My solicitors firm has become another victim of the recession and I can't afford to employ another one. I'm at my wit's end, they have already been told on several occasions that there is no money and that our home is rented. Should I reply to these latest letters or simply ignore them as I know they already have the information they ask for?
I really hope someone can help, the stress of this is making me unwell.

[Caspar]

Re: Hello, hope you can help

Hi there, I'm hoping that someone here might be able to give me some advice. I lost my husband to cancer last year, he didn't leave a will and was personally insolvent when he died. Amongst his creditors was Barclaycard who have handed (sold?) his debt to HFO Services Ltd. My solicitor has written to them on several occasions following increasingly threatening letters to me but now they have started sending letters with my husband's details on addressed to the "Occupier" at my address. My solicitors firm has become another victim of the recession and I can't afford to employ another one. I'm at my wit's end, they have already been told on several occasions that there is no money and that our home is rented. Should I reply to these latest letters or simply ignore them as I know they already have the information they ask for?
I really hope someone can help, the stress of this is making me unwell.

Pixie, my (and I'm sure everybody else's on here) sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. What a dreadful position to find yourself in. Have you thought about going to Citizens Advice - they are normally very good with this sort of thing and should be able to give you the help you obviously need. It must be incredibly stressful and upsetting for you to keep receiving these demands / letters.

I would go along to CAB - they're very helpful and understanding, explain your position and let them advise you.

Best wishes,

David

[QCKate]

Re: Hello, hope you can help

Hi there, I'm hoping that someone here might be able to give me some advice. I lost my husband to cancer last year, he didn't leave a will and was personally insolvent when he died. Amongst his creditors was Barclaycard who have handed (sold?) his debt to HFO Services Ltd. My solicitor has written to them on several occasions following increasingly threatening letters to me but now they have started sending letters with my husband's details on addressed to the "Occupier" at my address. My solicitors firm has become another victim of the recession and I can't afford to employ another one. I'm at my wit's end, they have already been told on several occasions that there is no money and that our home is rented. Should I reply to these latest letters or simply ignore them as I know they already have the information they ask for?
I really hope someone can help, the stress of this is making me unwell.

I'm really sorry to here of your loss and your circumstances. If you can put up with more letters arriving I would just ignore them because theres nothing they can do to you. otherwise I wouldould put a complaint about Barclaycard and HFO to the ombudsman. Even if you had the money I defdinitey would not employ another solicitor because there is no need to.

Others will be along with help now and in future if you need it.

best wishes

QCK

[Angry Cat]

Re: Hello, hope you can help

Despicable behaviour by HFO!

Please open the following link and scroll down to:
Deceptive and/or unfair methods;
2.7;
2.8 (a) (b) & (c)
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/bus...dit/oft664.pdf

I would suggest that you contact your local trading standards asap.

My sincere condolences go out to you at this sad and difficult time.

[di30]

Re: Hello, hope you can help

Hi

So sorry about your loss. Sending my condolences your way XXX

Hope this is resolved very soon and I would follow the advice given.
Another suggestion, do you have a good local MP to help on your behalf perhaps?

[WendyB]

Re: Hello, hope you can help

Hi Pixie

What happens to debts when someone dies? : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits


you may find this useful, I've had a quick skim through and it's very easy to follow and covers loads of different aspects, both of intestacy and dealing with Grants of Administration (similar to Probate, but if the estate is less then £5000 you won't need one), also there is a section about dealing with debts left by the deceased. It's not something I've particularly looked into before, but I found it very helpful and easy to follow.