IVA - The alternative to bankruptcy
Are you looking for a way to get out of debt? Perhaps you find yourself on the brink of filing for bankruptcy, but still you hold on to hope that there might be another option besides filing the big 'B' word. Well, you are right and it's called IVA or Individual Voluntary Arrangement. It is considered by many people as the wisest thing you can do in times of dire financial debt. It may still affect your credit ratings, essentially the same way bankruptcy does, but at least, you have proven that you have the determination to pay. In any case, an IVA is better option than a bankruptcy declaration.
What is Individual Voluntary Arrangement?
Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), is a process by which the debtor (you) initiates the first step into coming up with an arrangement between you and your creditors. This is a legally binding act and is governed over by a licensed Insolvency Practitioner. The agreement often results in you paying your creditors, through the Insolvency Practitioner, the amount you owe them for an agreed period of time (often 5 years). This process is one of the few steps you can take to avoid bankruptcy.
How do you move towards an IVA?
Individual Voluntary Arrangement is initiated by you through the process of contacting your creditors or an Insolvency Practitioner. However, it can be a decision made by bankruptcy courts who will determine if an IVA is better for your circumstances than a declaration of Bankruptcy.
Advantages to Getting an IVA
Privacy is one of the benefits of an IVA because the process is less public than a Bankruptcy declaration is. Another benefit of getting an IVA over a Bankruptcy declaration is that the debtor is allowed some degree of control as to what properties he will hand over to his creditors in order to help liquidate the debt. This way, the creditor may even be given the chance (if he is deemed qualified) to keep his home and other assets of value. With an IVA, the debtor (if he is in a business) is allowed to practice his trade to get a steady income to pay off the debt.
An IVA is also much more affordable than Bankruptcy. Also, once agreed, creditors are not allowed to add interest or charges to your accounts by law. The agreement is fixed meaning that creditors cannot randomly demand changes to it.
