Is an IVA right for you?

Before you start, make sure an IVA is the right debt solution for you. What’s right for you will depend on:

• your personal circumstances
• what debts you have
• your available income.

• Is an IVA right for you?

How do you set up an IVA?

You can’t set up an IVA by yourself. You will need to find an insolvency practitioner to take an IVA proposal to your creditors on your behalf. Insolvency practitioners are usually qualified solicitors or accountants.

Finding an insolvency practitioner

You can find an authorised insolvency practitioner on the Insolvency Service website at www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov. Alternatively, you can contact your local Official Receiver's office. You can find their contact details on the Insolvency Service website at www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk.

Costs and fees

To compare costs and get the best deal, it's a good idea to contact a few insolvency practitioners and ask them for an estimate of how much it will cost to set up and manage an IVA for you. Look out for insolvency practitioners who offer an introductory meeting for free or at a reduced rate, to talk through whether an IVA is suitable for you.

• More about costs of an IVA

Meeting with your insolvency practitioner

Before the IVA is set up, you may have an informal meeting with your insolvency practitioner to discuss whether an IVA is right for you. Meetings may take place over the phone or at the insolvency practitioner's office. If you decide to go ahead, you’ll have another meeting in which you will begin the formal process of setting up the IVA.

The insolvency practitioner should explain all options available to you before you commit to an IVA. They should also make sure you read and understand the leaflet Is a Voluntary Arrangement right for me? You can get the leaflet form the Association of Business Recovery Professionals at: www.r3.org.uk .

Using a debt management company

You do not need to use a debt management company to get an IVA set up. If you are thinking about using one, check what service they offer at the start. Some companies will charge you a fee just for referring you to an insolvency practitioner, when you could go directly to one yourself.

If you do decide to use a debt management company, look for one that doesn't charge extra fees on top of the insolvency practitioner's fees.

There have been some cases where debt management companies have advised people to get an IVA, when this has not been the best solution for them. Do your homework before agreeing to an IVA.