Unmanageable Debts - My Options
It has recently occurred to me that my debts are now unmanageable. I used to be able to afford my repayments each month, and I was in full control of my debts. However, just recently (over the past twelve months or so), my debts have simply spiralled out of control, and I’ve reached the point where I just can’t afford to repay them.
I’m not sure how it happened, but it did, and I’ve now been left with unmanageable debts.
I took it upon myself to look into the options available to me, and I have decided to share two of them with you now - just in case you are in a similar situation to me.
IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement)
The first option I came across was an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement). This is basically a debt solution designed to help people clear their unmanageable unsecured debts within five years.
Before I could enter an IVA, though, a certain portion of my creditors would have to agree to the terms of the debt solution. And if I did enter an IVA, I would be required to make regular - but reduced - payments each month.
An IVA would stay on my credit report for six years, which would make further credit harder and more expensive to obtain for this time.
Once I made my final payment, any outstanding unsecured debt would be written off (the portion of the debt I couldn’t afford to repay, that is).
Bankruptcy
The second option I came across was bankruptcy. I found out that although my home could be repossessed and many of my assets would be sold, I would (probably) become debt free within 12 months - which means I could make a fresh start after just one year, even though it would also have a serious impact on my credit rating.
Of course, bankruptcy would be my last resort - as the consequences could well be worse than the consequences of an IVA.