IVA service is started by the insolvency act 1986 as an alternate option to bankruptcy. This is a legally binding agreement and the debtors make proposal for the creditors to solve the debt problem.

After the contract is signed it becomes the duty of the company to help you to be out of debt. There are companies who ask you to opt for IVA even if you do not need it. As these contracts stays for few years it is important to select the company carefully. You must choose the company which specialises in this and is experienced enough to handle any situation.

The advices you are offered should be impartial. Debtors and the creditor’s perspectives should be given equal importance. The company must have valid license and aware of the regulations. Advisors and insolvency practitioners of the company should be experienced.

After you sign contract, you are given an insolvency practitioner. This practitioner negotiates with your creditors on your behalf. There are many plans from which the practitioner chooses any one which suits you the best. All this is done on the basis of your debts. Debt consolidation, lump sum payment and monthly payment are some of the option. It generally takes 5 years to clear all the debts. In most cases 75% of the total debt is cut off and the rest is paid in 5 years. Some take consolidation loans and repay all the previous debts. This helps the debtor to pay single payments to a single lender.

To avail the IVA services your minimum debts should be £15000. The minimum number of lenders required for this is 3-4 lenders. You should be able to repay 30% of your debts.

You can search for IVA companies through internet. A good research can get you the best option. It is necessary to look for licensed, experienced and honest practitioners.

Understanding bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is basically the official way of announcing that a person can no longer repay his debts in his current situation. Consequently, it is also a plan that allows the borrower to resolve his debts by dividing all his assets between his creditors. The process of dividing the said assets is duly supervised, all for the purpose of providing equal partition among creditors.

Types of bankruptcy

Because there are many different debt situations, there are also a number of different types of bankruptcy to help individuals and businesses get out of debt:

-Straight Bankruptcy requires a debtor to be within a certain asset limit or to give up property over that limit to be sold by the court. A person who successfully declares bankruptcy is able to get out of debt completely.

-Reorganization, is way for businesses or individuals with massive debts to get out of debt.

Pros of Bankruptcy

When declaring bankruptcy to get out of debt, you will not have to repay most or all of your debt.

Declaring bankruptcy could prevent foreclosure of your home, stop repossession of such items as automobiles, and keep your utilities from being disconnected.

Bankruptcy to get out of debt will often stop wage garnishments and phone calls from debt collectors and allow you to get out of debt without continued harassment.

Cons of Bankruptcy

When declaring bankruptcy to get out of debt, you will not be allowed to keep collateral owed to a creditor unless you can keep up with the payments. Declaring bankruptcy usually does not allow you to stop payment on such things as child support, student loans, alimony, court restitution orders, certain types of taxes, or criminal fines.

If you had consignors on any of your collateral, your cosigners will not be able to get out of debt with you as they are liable for part or all of the debt you discharge through a bankruptcy.

Declaring bankruptcy, in an attempt to get out of debt, will not eliminate your mortgage or any other secured loan; it will only keep these payments at bay until you have dealt with other creditors.