When to choose an IVA
An IVA may be preferable to bankruptcy if you:
- own a home or other assets that you don’t want to lose
- own your own business
- may lose your job if you go bankrupt, for example, if you are a police officer or work in the armed forces
- have, or are considering applying for, a power of attorney on behalf of someone
- have some spare income each month or a lump sum of money to make repayments to creditors
- want to avoid any negative social impact.
Flexibility
An IVA is more flexible than bankruptcy and can be set up to fit with your personal circumstances. If you have assets such as a car or other personal possessions, it may be possible to keep these instead of using them to pay your creditors. Your insolvency practitioner will help you negotiate with your creditors to keep these outside the IVA.
Bank accounts
You can continue to use your bank account if you have an IVA. You don’t need to tell your bank about an IVA. If you go bankrupt your bank account is likely to be closed and you may find it difficult to open another bank account.
Creditor is trying to make you bankrupt
If a creditor is threatening to make you bankrupt or has started bankruptcy proceedings, you may be able to get an IVA to avoid the bankruptcy.
Risks of an IVA
It’s important to know the risks involved in an IVA. If your circumstances are likely to change in the short-term an IVA may not be suitable. If you are unable to keep up with the payments, the IVA could fail. If the IVA fails your creditors will be able to take action against you. They could make you bankrupt.
Your creditors may not agree to an IVA. If this happens, you will have to find another debt solution.
If you start IVA proceedings and it doesn’t work out, you will be in a worse financial position because you have to pay fees to your insolvency practitioner.
Benefits of bankruptcy
Under an IVA, you may have to pay more to creditors than you would do if you became bankrupt, and for a longer period.
Bankruptcy may be better for you if:
- you don't own a home
- you don't have any spare income to pay your creditors.
