Could An Individual Voluntary Agreement Be The Answer To A Serious Debt Situation?
Friday, June 25th, 2010Debt is a huge problem all over the world, since the credit crunch the situation has spiralled out of control leaving many people in financial difficulty even close to bankruptcy. If bankruptcy feels like the only way out, there is another option available and that is with an individual voluntary agreement otherwise known as an IVA.
So what is an individual voluntary agreement? This is when a licensed insolvency practitioner supervises a legally binding agreement between the creditor and the borrower. It is the job of the insolvency practitioner to look at the debtors standing situation for instance his monthly earnings and outgoings this way he or she can work out how much the borrower can realistically afford to pay the creditor back.
An IVA can help the debtor solve his or her financial problems by reducing the total amount that is owed, however the creditor normally has to make a sacrifice on the total amount that is owed to them. It is not an ideal option for the creditor but at least the company will be getting some of the money back that is owed to them. An IVA is a better alternative then bankruptcy and can take a lot of pressure off the debtor.
The borrower and the creditor will be talked through the agreement and once both parties have agreed the amount to be paid back, a contract will be put together for both of them to sign. When the contract is signed, it cannot be altered and the creditor is no longer able to pester the debtor for money. When the debt has been paid back in full, the borrower can find that up to 70% of their debt has been removed.
An Individual voluntary agreement does come with its restrictions, so they are not a viable solution for everybody. To qualify for an IVA you would need to have an unsecured debt of £15,000 minimum and proof that you are not able to pay this debt would be compulsory. The term of an IVA depends on the individual, but they are normally paid back within a period of 3 – 5 years. The individual will also need to prove that they are in long term employment and that they are able to afford to live on the money they are earning.
Final Thoughts
IVA’s are great for individuals that are on the brink of bankruptcy, however IVA’s should be looked into with caution, as it can still have a long term adverse effect on future finances not to mention the credit rating.
