Money Advice Direct
FREEPHONE 0800 074 6918
We receive a lot of calls and emails from the public asking; "I've buried my head in the sand, now I've got a bankruptcy petition hearing next week. Can I do an IVA at this late stage?".
Money Advice Direct have an emergency IVA unit whereby if a caller has a bankruptcy hearing coming up they can apply for a adjournment of the bankruptcy petition. This adjournment will allow a 4-8 weeks leeway whilst an IVA proposal can be drafted and sent to creditors.
You can apply for an annulment and then apply for an IVA.
To secure an adjournment of the bankruptcy petition the petitioning creditor usually will ask for their legal costs to be paid. These costs can be £750-1250 depending on which solicitor has been used.
A debt problem, like any type of problem should not be left till the last minute. Money Advice Direct receive 1000’s of calls each month from people that have buried their heads in the sand and refused to confront of acknowledge their problem.
The best way to handle a debt crisis is to have details of all your debts to hand and be prepared to talk to a debt adviser. Honesty is very important in any debt crisis. Take creditors' phone calls. Get back to them even if you have nothing to pay. The worst thing you can do is to shut the creditors out. Even if you have nothing to pay, it looks like you're being difficult.
The worst thing you can do if you have debts is to bury your head in the sand and pretend they don't exist. You have to face up to them and tackle them head on.
If missed or minimum payments are part of your way of dealing with debt or if you're paying off one card using another, then you could be on the slippery slope of indebtedness debt and you need to seek some impartial debt advice now, before it gets out of hand.
The saying “buried your head in the sand” originates from the supposed habit of ostriches hiding when faced with attack by predators. Ostriches hide their heads the sand to make themselves inconspicuous. The notion is that the supposedly dumb ostrich believes that if it can't see its attacker then the attacker can't see it.
Money Advice Direct’s advice unit has warned people worried about managing their finances not to "bury their head in the sand" about their money woes.
Whether you need to consolidate your debts with a loan or just juggle your borrowing onto cheaper products, the important thing is to work out a repayment plan. We advise that it’s never too late to sort out your problems - Don't bury your head in the sand.
If you are considering an IVA but have buried your head in the sand and now have got a bankruptcy petition hearing looming and wander if you can do an IVA at this late stage and understand how it can help you please complete the following form or telephone freephone 0800 074 6918.