Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

[tomterm8]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Before considering it, I would get a copy of your credit reports (use the £2 statutory report, not those free offers - with the free offers, they often give your details to DCA's) to see how badly your credit record has already been affected. to be honest, by the time you get one or two CCJs I personally think your credit record is usually almost as trashed as a bankruptcy order would make it.

In general , it's best to get advice from at least two of the charities listed above.

[Bluebell]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Thanks for the info Enaid. I think I'll contact another couple of organisations and see what they say. I think I need to really look at things before I make a decision. I know my OH definitely wants to declare bankruptcy and start afresh but I'd like him to speak to someone rather than doing all the research for him. Gettting our credit reports is a really good idea too. We did get one of the free ones about 6 months ago and my OH's repossession wasn't even listed and mine was pretty good - which doesn't reflect reality at all.

One thing actually that definitely worries me about bankruptcy is how it might affect emigration applications. We're considering emigrating to New Zealand and I haven't found any information that indicates bankruptcy might put a great big black cross on our application. Does anyone have any idea?

Right tomorrow I'll phone around and try to make appointments to get further advice. Thanks for your support everyone

[tomterm8]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

It can affect emigration applications, in some cases drastically, for example in the US it can be a reason to refuse a visa. The best thing to do is ask for advice from the charities, and also call up the embassy of the country you want to emigrate to for advice as to the consequences.

[Paule]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

One thing actually that definitely worries me about bankruptcy is how it might affect emigration applications. We're considering emigrating to New Zealand and I haven't found any information that indicates bankruptcy might put a great big black cross on our application. Does anyone have any idea?

Not sure on New Zealand, but most countries require you to be financially secure and a credit check is usually part of the imigration process.

Another reason not to jump into things, I will see if I can dig out some info fro you relating to NZ immigration Policy

PKea

[Paule]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Well Ive had a look round and cant find anything against bankrupts being barred
But read up on the subject, and as Tom mentioned contact the NZ embassy in London

Immigration New Zealand


Welcome to Immigration New Zealand, London

PKea

[Bluebell]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Oh thank you Tom and Pkea! that was really quick :tinysmile_grin_t:

[scoobydoo]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

see better service over here!

Reference your hardship claim - unless you have something in writing from the doctor confirming you did not have much choice in leaving your employment we may have problems in pursuing the hardship angle - as the charges must have caused the hardship or worsened it coniderably - but i am not an expert and will refer to others - but all is not lost . lets keep thinking and roll on the case conference for guidance on the next move,

not giving up yet

[Bluebell]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Oh no - I don't have anything from the doctor. It was all a bit "off the record" and presented as advice ...what she would do if she were in my position. I'd like to try to approach the bank in some way - I have nothing to lose and it would help if I could pay off a chunk of debt. Yes roll on the case conference....we'll never give up!!!

[Bluebell]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

I've just spoken to Payplan and the National Debt Line. Payplan were realy helpful and I've booked an appointment with them tomorrow to talk about our situation further. National Debt Line were very detailed but I'm left with my head spinning. I spent an hour having information read to me about liability orders, bailiffs, attchments to earnings, IVAs and a whole lot of probably useful and irrelevant information but it went straight over my head. They advised me to fill in an N98 for Orange and said that if I try to claim back the £65 costs that were lumped on I will lose and end up paying more (!?) and possibly lose the chance to pay in instalments. So I feel a bit strange about that. In fact I feel like I've been spun back into the debt fear vortex

I phoned Northampton County Court and they put the Orange thing very simply. Phew. I have until net Monday to submit my forms. IS this right? ... I need to acknowledge the £135 on the acknowledgement form. On the defence form do I need to state that I don't think I should be liable for costs because I had already written to Moorcroft explaining my situation with IE sheet from the CCCS and asking for time etc. so they shouldn't really have taken me to court?

Is there any particular way I need to phrase it? Or is there a better way than my muddly way?

I spoke to ACAS too about my OHs petrol issue. They said there is little he can do other than appeal to work's good nature to raise the amount they pay. As he hasn't been working for them for a year they can do what they like - which includes firing him. Great! I thought after the initial probationary period he might have a little security.

:dizzy:

[enaid]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Well your doing fine up to now bluebell, there is some info on here mainly the questions asked frequently. Have a look through, may just make it a little clearer than trying to take it all in over the phone. If you are decided then this is whats best for you, now you have had second opinions Enaid x

The Insolvency Service Website

[tomterm8]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

I've just spoken to Payplan and the National Debt Line. Payplan were realy helpful and I've booked an appointment with them tomorrow to talk about our situation further. National Debt Line were very detailed but I'm left with my head spinning. I spent an hour having information read to me about liability orders, bailiffs, attchments to earnings, IVAs and a whole lot of probably useful and irrelevant information but it went straight over my head. They advised me to fill in an N98 for Orange and said that if I try to claim back the £65 costs that were lumped on I will lose and end up paying more (!?) and possibly lose the chance to pay in instalments. So I feel a bit strange about that. In fact I feel like I've been spun back into the debt fear vortex

I phoned Northampton County Court and they put the Orange thing very simply. Phew. I have until net Monday to submit my forms. IS this right? ... I need to acknowledge the £135 on the acknowledgement form. On the defence form do I need to state that I don't think I should be liable for costs because I had already written to Moorcroft explaining my situation with IE sheet from the CCCS and asking for time etc. so they shouldn't really have taken me to court?
.

:dizzy:

Em... well, can you describe the orange scenario. What is the reason they claim you owe money, and what stage of court action are you at? And what the heck is a form N98? Can't find it in the court form list.

[Amethyst]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Admission I believe. Its okay Bluebell I'll bring the stuff for Orange forward from the other bit of your thread.

[Amethyst]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Tom this is all the bits from previous posts re Orange Claim

Quote:
Orange's claim was dated April 14th. I telephoned the solicitors and they said I had 19 days to respond, but to respond to Moorcroft as it sounded to them as if Moorcroft had made a mistake in sending the details off to them. (I told them about the letter I sent in March asking for time as advised by the CCCS stating that I am on a low income etc). I'm not sure if I should write to Moorcroft or Nelsons or send the acknowledgement part of the form back (I do want to point out that I don't want to pay the extra costs that have been added too). I've been looking for a template (I seem to be paralysed without them!!). Maybe I should just send a letter to all of them, but what about the claim form?

Lets sort this out first.... Do you have the claim Form - the N1 from the court ?

On the front is a reference and pin number. Get onto anhttps://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jspd click acknowledge with intent to defend in full (it doesnt matter what you click just get it acknowledged) you had 14 days from 14th April to acknowledge, and 28 from 14th to do defence /admission etc. Its a pretty easy process to get acknowledge in then dont worry and we can do the next bit. Hopefully you can squeeze in.



Amethyst thanks! that was so easy - I can't stop smiling now - phew!!!!
The POC is this:

The claimants claim is for a sum due from the defendant to the claimant under a contract for telephone services and or equipment hire.

Invoice No:~~~~
Balance outstanding: £135

Soooooooooooo.... what info do you have - do you actually owe the whole lot or are there spurious charges on it.

If we do a simple admission we'll do an admission with a request for time to pay etc and sumbit your I/E form. So it should end up with a CCJ (rubber stamping no attendance needed) for installment payments of £1 a month etc what ever your I/E shows you can afford. So please don't worry.

Also what communication did you have with moorcroft over it - did you have installments etc worked out with them that you paid - if there was some arrangement then we can try say the claim shouldnt have been bought and get the court fees off. So any letters to them/from them re the outstanding balance would help.

Just let me know as much as poss and then we can do the next bit and thats that one sorted

Right: I believe I in fact owe the whole £135. I've spoken to Moorcroft a couple of times and never got as far as being able to work out a payment plan. They always refused to accept instalments. I sent them a letter on the 11th February (for which I've LOST the PO receipt!) quoting te CCCS number, enclosing budget sheet, asking for everything to be frozen for 6 months until I was in a position to pay something. I didnt receive a reply - or any notice that they were sending it to Nelsons (aren't they supposed to do that?). I do have copies of letters I sent/received if that is useful to post.

I'll organise it in a bit sorry kids bedtime.


Court and CCCS etc do tend to let claims just get rubberstamped through regardless of charges etc. But in some circumstances I agree this can be better for the defendant when its a relatively small amount of money.

Also quickly once a CCJ is settled you can have it marked as satisfied on your credit file, and there are arguments for having it taken off altogether, for I think about a £35 fee.


And sorry bluebell I should have been more on top of this for you. We'll need to get this sorted to send in tmw really.

[tomterm8]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Hrm, it doesn't look very convincing to me, to be honest, since I would want to know what the £135 is for before admitting or denying it. OK, if she owes it, she hasn't got much choice, but they haven't explained how they came to this amount of money or anything else.

Bottom line is, does Bluebell believe the figures are accurate? How did arrears build up so far?

If they are accurate, there is not much choice but to admit it, however... I am suspicious, because £135 arrears seem an awful lot of money on a £15-35 contract.

[Bluebell]

Re: Bluebell's Debt Thread & Hardship Claim

Thanks for the insolvency link Enaid - I'm not decided at all really. I think once I get things under "control" and know where I am I'll be able to think clearly about it. (oh and once my brain returns from babylalahormoneland too).

I'm pretty sure the figures are correct. It built up over about 3 months. The tariff I was on was £35/month but my bill always seemed to come to much more (up to £60/month) which is crazy I know because I hardly used it!. I think the extra was due to 0845 numbers. I will look up my bills and see what they come to and double check.

This is such a pain because it is the smallest of all my debts and I have always told Moorcroft I'll pay it! (moan moan)

Thanks Ame for your help.