Bailiff - can’t stop crying

[Towybow]

So to start the past year has been stressful
my dog died - he was everything to me and we watched him die over a a week in the most horrible way.

on the day he died the first vet I took him to - who misdiagnosed him, called me about the insurance claim. They put it through and I consented to this. I ended up writing a complaint about their treatment it was horrid. I have a letter where they say they will reduce the treatment to £313 - I had confirmation from my insurance this was already claimed and so I never thought any more of it. I was wrapped up in grief. A month later mum was taken to hospital and she nearly died. She had a life changing injury and whilst she was in hospital I was dealing with some matters whucg turned out she had very bad mental health. She then suffered delirium for 4 weeks and as her only child and with family it did fall on me to visit each day on my own. I have a dd who also has her own struggles. She has severe asthma and we are both on pathway for adhd.
my mum was not in the best place when she came round and sadly I bore the brunt of it if there were days she struggled. There were days I wanted to just off myself. But I never would cos of my daughter.

in November I was out on a 2 week pathway for cancer whucg we still haven’t got to the bottom Of but a barium swallow was clear.

in March I sought treatment for my mental health as I have been really struggling I’m on medication now which has been hard.
I do struggle daily and have been to the doctors with 4th bout of bronchitis and still really suffering with a anxiwty and depression.

in March I started breathing space and working wit step change as my finances have got completely out of hand. Largely cos I forget and every day I’m fighting to just keep afloat I feel all alone in this world.
I had a letter from a solicitor about this debt, I was going to call the insurers and ask why not paid when I did they said I didn’t confirm it to be paid at the time. I didn’t have the energy to fight this because to be honest I just don’t know what’s happened. So I added it to my debts to be included in the debt management plan thinking I’ll just pay it because I don’t have the energy to fight it. It sounds stupid. It even speaking to people at the minute is a big hurdle. - oh in between all of this iv had to move my DD’s school because of how much she was struggling. She also is having difficulties in seeing her dad. -

so today a bailiff comes and says he’s collecting my items in 5 days - he says I’m to email breathing space and wouldn’t talk anymore - the letter says he’s coming in 5 days and will take my stuff and if that doesn’t cover the hill, which is now £2200 they will apply to make my bankrupt. Part of me doesn’t even care what they take now but I am scared of a man coming in and my daughter seeing that. I have previously experienced dv and I’m scared. Since he came in been crying and I can’t stop crying.
step change say to apply for a stay of execution but every where is shut. I can’t focus to add more inowed my mum some money from when my dog died and having to seek another vet opinion and from him being out to sleep and so she is taking a sleeve chunk of my wages each month I can’t even get through the melnth

I feel so tired and I don’t even know where to start
I want to seek support for my mental health but I’m scared as I work in a helping profession and if they think my mental health is bad they may tell my employer? I’m not sure I do feel at crisis though but I just don’t know what to di about any of it. Sorry for long post

I just don’t want a strange man in my home with me and my daughter

op someone can correct me but chances are the people they send aren’t going to be film type thugs. If you and your daughter just chat as usual and go about your day your daughter won’t even realise anything is happening, it can be an amicable (just obviously horrible) thing. Don’t be worrying about this aspect of it. X

If you're made bankrupt you won't be allowed to pay the money to your mum anyway, she becomes a creditor and will be paid in proportion lije the vets. So stop paying her. If you don't own your home have you considered getting a DRO as I think it unlikely you'll be made bankrupt for a 2500 debt.

It’s def a ccj as I checked online
I think the offer was £313 but they then used the full amount of £900 to apply for the ccj

I don’t recall seeing it I have a lot of debt build up recently and I haven’t kept up with it all I opened all my letters in March when on phone to step change and had the sols letter then I don’t recall seeing anything else

I dot think I will qualify for a DRO I get a good wage so when everything is paid I have £600 disposable income a month but with all my debt I just can’t pay it all
the debtors won’t wait I have bills things coming out my ear
I am awaiting diagnosis but I have adhd and things like parking tickets etc happen and I just have Terri el money management I’m so annoyed with myself as I struggle to keep up with stuff at the best of times but when it’s all been chaotic I just struggled

I’m annoyed as if I had of made sure this was dealt with I wouldn’t be here I just had so much on I never thought
I have gone through all emails etc all night and iv missed somw
communication in august the vets asked me to confirm I was in agreement to pay £313 it was an unread email

One thing I’m pretty sure I’ve seen on TV about high court enforcement officers is that, if they do take goods, it can’t be anything you need for basic living, so not your beds, cooker, table and chairs etc. Not sure about TV or the X box but I think it’s possible that if one TV and the X box belong to your daughter (even though she’s a child) they may also be excluded.
Also, if the car is on finance, they can’t take that.
Another thing is (I’ve obviously watched too much “Can’t Pay, We’ll Take It Away”!) the officers are not heartless or unreasonable people; If talk to them about your situation and don’t get obstructive or aggressive (which I’m sure you won’t) you will be able to find a way forward that you can agree to.

Iv called the vets and they say it was cancelled in September because they sent an email
i didn’t respond to

Hello @Towybow we're very sorry to hear about your situation. You're getting some good advice on this thread but we urge you to seek real-life help too. Citizens Advice could be a good option - they also have an info page here specifically for bailiffs. You can call, chat online, email or make an appointment with your local branch.

As with all threads concerning financial difficulty, we're adding some important reminders. Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

We're moving this over to Money matters now - we hope you get things sorted out, OP.

You mentioned debt management. Not sure which/what sort it is.

May be try to visit CAP. Christians against Poverty. They won't pay your bills but will negotiate on your behalf and help you through your troubles.

You don't need to be a Church member, Bible basher etc etc.

Thanks but I can assure you I’m after advice only!

Thanks as step change haven’t really helped they have said that I don’t have enough to pay and need to contact them myself and say that

What a horrible job. I couldn’t be with someone who does this for a living.

I really feel for you OP. I hope you can get it sorted in a way that lessens your stress.

Call CAP (Christians Against Poverty) you don't have to be Christian and they help with debt and help to pay off the debt. My friend has had help from them.

I don't have advice as I am in the same position. Debt illness Mental Health issues not knowing what's what. I'm sorry and I hope you sort this.

So the vet bill was £315 and now it's £2,500?

What an absolute arsehole that bailiff is! anyone who works as a bailiff really should worry about their mortal soul/moral integrity.

Owing money is not a moral issue, you have nothing to feel bad about. Wealthy people who piss away £2500 on a weekend away have not worked harder or made better decisions than you- they've just lucked out. It sounds like you've had an awful year!

Can you ask your daughter's other grandparents for a loan?

Do you know how many small businesses go under, because of unpaid debts?

Then their owners and all their employees end up in financial difficulty.

If you lost your job, and potentially your home, because of unpaid debts to your employer, you might change your mind on whether owing money is a moral issue.

If you use goods or services, you need to pay for them. People take the piss massively (not saying this is true of the OP), which is why debt-collectors exist.

I echo the pp who suggested you contact CAP. They are brilliant.

The £2,500 is probably the vet bill+ court costs+ bailiff fees etc.

This sounds awful, OP. I don’t have a lot to add other than ensure your windows are shut and back gate/door locked. Don’t let the bailiffs in. Don’t even open the door to acknowledge them. Pretend that you aren’t home. They can’t force entry, but an open window would provide opportunity. You do not have to engage with them.

Good luck to you.

Yes it is

and I never intentionally not paid it.
iv been on phone to step change all morning. I will make an offer of payment to them with my debt plan hopefully they accept if I can’t get it sorted via insurance (if the vets accept they have said they will pay out) as I had insurance gave the details paid the excess and then thought it was done.

I hope you get it sorted OP. The thought of making someone bankrupt over a (2k debt seems crazy to me. I think it was a threat to try and make you panic.

I can remember that program Won’t Pay, We’ll Take it Away. Might be worth finding it on YouTube and watching a few to see the tactics they use and what they can and can’t do.

So bailiffs....don't let them in, not even if it's belting down with rain or they say they are desperate for the loo. Tell them to leave as you are in negotiations with the creditor. Tell them that if they persist you will call the police. If they get pushy have your phone ready and start to record what they are doing. They are not allowed to break in or push you aside etc.

Should it get to the stage that bailiffs are allowed in they will take an inventory or anything of value that is YOURS. The can't touch things that are your daughter's or anything of your mom's that might be in the house. They cannot take your fridge, cooker, washing machine, beds, dining table and chairs. They cannot take anything that is considered a tool for work - this might include your mobile and your pc if needed for WFH. They cannot touch anything that is not yours - so they can't touch the company car.

Citizens Advice should be able to help if you can get to them quickly. CAP (in my opinion) is good for the emotional support. Community Money Advisers (CMA) are good for getting together a statement of accounts and helping with a DRO if that's the line you can take. All of these should be ensuring that you have your doctor complete a debt and mental health form (doctor or health worker should complete for free). This would give you an extension on your breathing space and make any extra pushy people calm down or face their regulatory bodies.

No one will make you bankrupt over £2k. All they need is to come to some arrangement to pay down the debt. They might be happy with £20 a month as at least that shows willing even if it means it takes years to pay it off.

Another thought - do you have any union or industry associations? Depending on what you do for a living or have done in the past there may be an organisation that can step in and help.

Poor you op, you won’t be the first or the last, all it takes is a perfect storm of poor health and family illness for a lot of people. Keep posting for advice and try not to panic.