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Emeraldmay
Feb 21, 2009, 03:16 PM
Hi, I'm new to this site so I'm hoping someone can help!
I am on a personal debt programme with a company and I've been paying them £200 per month - which is all I could afford - for over 2.5 years.
My boyfriend has recently proposed out of the blue and we have now started to talk about wedding dates.
A few questions, what would happen with my personal debt programme once I am married? Would they look to increase payments because I am married, even though the debt (credit cards, loans etc) are personal to me? Also, are they allowed to tell the companies I owe my change of status?
Once I have paid out all the bills, my two mortgages and the debt company at the end of each month, I am only left with what my boyfriend gives me which is £400 per month. Most of this at the moment goes on food between us and petrol in order for me to get to work (over £60 per week). So, me and my boyfriend living together actually helps me "live" rather than have two jobs and work over 70 hours per week, which is what I was doing before I met him, in order to pay the debt company.
My debts by the way were just under £15,000 when I contact the company 2.5 years ago.
I own the house (via mortgage as mentioned) and I have lived here on my own for nearly 11 years. I have never missed a mortgage payment or any gas, electric, water, etc payments. I was just very silly over the past few years thinking I needed a life and needed to get out, hence the credit cards and loans and the point that I'm now in a debt programme!
Can anyone give me any advice? Hope so! Thank you!
EmeraldMay

Fr_Chuck
Feb 21, 2009, 03:30 PM
Telling us what country this is can help since laws vary.

Is this a government payment program or a private payment program.

Do you have a copy of the agreement in writing and have you read to see what it says.

Curlyben
Feb 21, 2009, 03:35 PM
I guess UK judging by the £, but confirmation of that would be useful.

If you are with a reputable DMP company then they CANNOT divulge any personal information to your creditors, so the fact you are getting married has nothing to do with them at all.
As these debts are in your name alone, then the change of marital status has ZERO effect on your liability of these debts.
Debts aren't inherited or married into.

I must admit I would be very interested in knowing some more indepth information on this as I might well be able to assist you further.
In my "other" life I advise people on Consumer Credit issues in the UK as well as reclaiming Bank and credit card charges.

Emeraldmay
Feb 22, 2009, 01:22 AM
Thank you for your responses.
I am in the UK and the company is called 'Debt Rescue' based in Stockport, Cheshire.
I do have some form of agreement but would have to have a good search for it because I'm not the most organised of people!
Emeraldmay

Curlyben
Feb 23, 2009, 05:56 AM
After having a look at the DMP company you are with the first thing I'll say is get out of it as soon as possible!

They are charging you a monthly "fee" for their "services".
There are a couple of charity DMP companies that are a lot better and will help you to have some extra cash each month.

The ones worth looking at are:
Debt Management Plans, Free Debt Management Company and IVAs | Debt Advice | Payplan (http://www.payplan.com/)
AND
CCCS - Free Debt Advice from the UK's Leading Debt Charity (http://www.cccs.co.uk/)

Now some creditors are picky, so I'd recommend Payplan as you first stop.

At the end of the day, you have some debts, but that doesn't mean you should be left with ZERO money to live on. Your creditors are bound tp accept what you can afford and not to make undue claims over and above your available income.

Emeraldmay
Feb 23, 2009, 09:38 AM
Hi Curlyben
Thank you for your advice. I have submitted my details to Payplan this afternoon. I will let you know how I get on as I have been paying £200 per month for more than 2 years and to be honest, they have not really been on top of things. I received a letter from one of the companies which I forwarded to Debt Rescue and they didn't react fast enough so now I have a CCJ against my name which is not my fault, I had avoided all these types of things before joining them. Also, I have had to deal with 4-5 different people over the past 2 years because of personnel leaving their company.
Hopefully Payplan will be able to offer me something more economical, fingers crossed!
Thank you again.
EmeraldMay