Debt Management Programme

A debt management plan (DMP )is for individuals struggling with debt & can no longer maintain the contractual payments, it is an informal arrangement between the debtor and the creditor, the way in which a debt management plan works is once all the essential expenditure has been accounted for, what is left is known as the disposable income which is then split between the creditors on a pro rata basis & offered to the creditors with the request that interest and charges are frozen although this can’t be guaranteed.

There are free debt management plans and fee charging, it’s important to know which kind you are signing up for.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legally binding agreement between yourself and the creditors in which you agree to pay what you can afford normally over a period of 5 or 6 years, in lots of cases an IVA will write off debt you can’t afford

The IVA will need to be approved by at least 75% of creditors value, once this is in place you will be legally protected from creditor contact also Interest and charges are completely frozen

With an IVA you will have more control over your assets than in bankruptcy, although if you are a home owner any equity you have may be taken into consideration

Debt relief order

A DRO is available for people that need help with debt and owe less than £20k and can’t afford to pay any more than £50 per month to the creditors, your income and expenditure will be taken into consideration to establish this also to qualify for this solution you mustn’t have any assets that are worth more than £1000.

The debts will be put on hold for a period of 12 months and if your circumstances improve during this time the DRO can be revoked which may mean that you will need to pay back all your debt.

If your circumstances do not improve the debt is written off at the end of the 12 months.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is one way for individuals struggling with debts, the fee to make an application for bankruptcy is £680.

If you can afford it, you will have to make regular payments towards your debts from your income through an income payment agreement for a period of 3 years however the trustee will not ask you to make any payments if you can’t afford to do so.

Assets may be seized and sold unless they are needed for work or family purposes.

Protected Trust deeds

A protected trust deed is a way for people to deal with debt if they live in Scotland, the disposable income is paid into the PTD each month over a minimum period of 4 years but can last longerIt is a legal agreement which can only be put in place by a licensed Insolvency Practitioner (IP) who will act as the Trustee.

if you are a home owner any equity you have may be taken into consideration

Call our debt advice line today and speak to one of friendly advisors to establish how to become debt free on 0800 043 8400

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