A close friend of mine has got himself in to severe debt. He owes £30,000 plus and has been advised to declare bankruptcy as he cannot cope anymore with the debt and stress it is causing.
He had been severely depressed over many years and had been seeing specialists on and off over this period. He also suffers from Epilepsy and is on benefits and unemployed. He had built up gradually over many years a large debt on his credit cards and then at the time when he was at the worst period of health, inadvertently took out an unsecured loan in order to pay of the debt on his cards.
This was over 6 years ago, and gradually built up a large amount on his credit cards again, as he paid off the loan and then the monthly payments on the cards and never defaulted on any repayments until now where the situation is that he is receiving a lot lot less money coming in then his outgoings. He is unemployed & on benefits due to health probs.
When he did the above he was not really in the right frame of mind, and is very very worried that if he does declare bankruptcy that there may be other legal issues that he may be brought against him due to his actions.
What’s causing him more anxiety and depression, is basically the fact that he misinformed the loan company (by saying he was employed) and is wandering if the OR etc will take in to account his medical history and depression he was going through at the time and now, & will his debts be covered if declares BR?
He has recently been referred by his Neurologist to see a Psychologist as it is affecting his health. He is very scared regarding the consequences of his actions and debt and what may happen to him?
This is a tragic case and one that is becoming more prevalent as people cannot cope and debt affects people in different ways. The OR will take everything into account but I believe that he may put a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order on your friend for anytime between 1 and 5 years. However it is unlikely that this will affect your friend much as the restrictions are no more than those incurred as a bankrupt. A BRO will not affect the length of time that he is bankrupt. It will continue after he is discharged.
You can reassure you friend that the OR will be very understanding of his situation. As this was over 6 years ago, it was too long ago for it to have any serious repercussions now. His scenario is one that is heard many times in the OR office, and he should have no worries about consequences.
Friend is worried about consequences?
Posted - 09 May 2009 : 00:34:20
