The story of an Irish bankrupt in Scotland

Brendan Burgess

Brendan Burgess

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This guy has started a blog about moving from Ireland to Scotland to go bankrupt

[broken link removed]

I am about to embark on a project that will change my life. The purpose of the project is to bankrupt myself in Scotland. The project will take approximately 16 months from start to finish and this blog will take you along the road with me.


Declaring yourself bankrupt is a very topical debate in Ireland these days. However, like many topics that are discussed at length, when you strip away the guff very little is actually known about it. The usual narrative is that you move to the UK, file some forms, spend 12 months twiddling your thumbs and bingo, it’s all done! The reality is slightly different.


In my story, the date on which I am declared bankrupt is referred to as B-Day. Everything hinges around B-Day as on this day the clock starts ticking and the debts are no longer yours. 365 days later and if you have complied with each step on the route, the process is complete and you are automatically discharged. The lead-up to B-Day and the process of ensuring that you are successful in your application to be declared bankrupt is a vital part of the process. If the application is unsuccessful, you’re back to the start and B-Day is simply an aspiration. Therefore, this phase is critical to the success/ failure of the entire process.


Insofar as is possible I will keep away from my personal circumstances as these are peripheral to the main story. There are many routes that can lead a person to bankruptcy and the purpose of this blog is not to judge or pass opinion. Simply put, if the story of my bankruptcy can assist any others in the same boat I will be glad to have been of assistance.
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I'm also going to do a blog on my expeiences of the Irish bankruptcy process. Never did anything like this before so very much a work in progress. I'm hoping to have a look at all areas of the process, including personal. I'd hope for it to be lighthearted in places also, we can all get a little too caught up in the seriousness of it all sometimes.
Any advice or ideas would be gladly welcome. I think the more it's discussed in the open the more we will break down any perceived stigma associated with bankruptcy or insolvency in general. The vast majority of people find themselves in this situation through nothing more than trying to provide a better life for themselves and their families.
My hope is that my blog will help people to take the steps and find the support necessary to enable them have a reasonable quality of life again.

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Apologies in advance for what I imagine will be countless typo's and grammar genocide.
 
Thank you irishbankrupt for sharing your experiences, I have found your blog to be both entertaining and informative. I am currently weighing up my options and all information is gratefully received.
 
Thanks for your kind words and I am glad you find my blog useful. My primary motivation for starting the irishbankrupt blog is that when I was considering my options prior to entering the bankruptcy process I would have appreciated something similar that sets out the day to day realities of declaring yourself bankrupt. Like the old fable about putting the bell on the cat, it’s one thing talking about but an entirely different matter actually doing it.


If there is anything else I can help with, please don’t hesitate to ask either on this site or on the blog. I am by no means an expert but will do my best to assist.



Irish Bankrupt
 
Hi there, your blog is great, it really highlights the road you have taken as being hard but ultimately rewarding. I read all your blog, however I was wondering how long exactly did it take you to submit your papers? I know it said "I have been waiting for this day for 3 months", the reason I ask is because the majority have said wait 6 months before applying!! Thanks in advance
 
IB2013 said:
Thanks for your kind words and I am glad you find my blog useful. My primary motivation for starting the irishbankrupt blog is that when I was considering my options prior to entering the bankruptcy process I would have appreciated something similar that sets out the day to day realities of declaring yourself bankrupt. Like the old fable about putting the bell on the cat, it’s one thing talking about but an entirely different matter actually doing it.


If there is anything else I can help with, please don’t hesitate to ask either on this site or on the blog. I am by no means an expert but will do my best to assist.



Irish Bankrupt
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I alsoenjoyed your blog to date and wish you well. Don't underestimate your ability - thwere could be a book in you or a series of articles and don't worry about the typos as the software will sort that out for you.
Why did ioyu chose Scotland rather than England/Wales and was it the best choice.
Any ideas about unemployment bens in UK - where would one find details; is it available for us 'Irish'? with an old NI number; is there a max income limit (£25k) aobe which it cant be claimed; did you find it difficult to gwet the part-time job.
Again keep writing, we are all enjoying and are motivated by it. Any knowledge of the English Midlands - say Nottingham? - as that's where we are planning to go, very soon.
 
Prodigy81 - thanks for the kind words. Under the Scottish system I can apply after 3 months here. My understanding is that the UK system (England/ Wales) takes longer. I actually mentioned this in the blog I have just posted. If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.
 
Conceptual - I don't think i'll be looking at a writing career just yet, but thanks anyway for the encouragement!! I have never done anything like this in my life but I must confess to enjoying it hugely. From the outset my two aims were to articulate both the experience and the emotions of the journey.

Re Scotland instead of England/ Wales, I have actually mentioned this on my latest post. My adviser offered me the choice but based on the differences between the 2 systems I chose Scotland. I actually worked in England previously and could have returned there but for me the Scottish system was quicker and less stressful.

I never asked about claiming social welfare in the UK as I just wouldn't do it. I appreciate the opportunity to avail of their legal system and don't want a penny from them. That is why I mentioned in one of my earliest blogs that you should make a preliminary visit to try and line something up. Your adviser should be able to tell you what you can earn during your time here without being hit with a payment order so bear that in mind at all times.

Good luck with your own move. The blog will be updated every Tuesday and Friday around noon so hopefully it will keep you informed and entertained.
 
Your blog is just brillant, I know you don't hold answers for other people, but getting your experiences, feelings and emotions while your going through this is comforting, as I can imagine ourselves going through the same things later this year.

I have just read today's post on your blog, and see you mention that you don't have to go to court in Scotland, where in the UK you do. This does not bother me as we will do what we have to do!

Well done on keeping your head up, and the faith!
 
Ah, many thanks for getting back to me. I can only imagine how elated you must feel now. I have been going through this hell for almost 6 years now and just have to make decisions as I am just in a cull de sac.
Also, thanks for the info regarding the difference between Scotland and the rest of the UK as that was something I was totally unaware of. I hope your now able to relax and realise that your nightmare is almost at an end and the new chapter of your life will see some serious positives.
Thanks again,
 
Thanks very much folks, it seems the blog has started to take off. I will write a post on comparing the two systems asap as it seems to be an area that people are keen to explore. One thing I should mention is that in Scotland the cost of applying is £200 whilst in England/ Wales I understand it is 3-4 times as expensive.

As Samwise1 says, I do not have all the answers but cannot emphasise strongly enough the importance of getting the right adviser. Personally I considered it a small investment to get rid of a very large problem. In less than a year, all of this will be history to me and I just need someone to hold my hand as required during the intervening period.
 
UK versus Scotland

Cost per person in UK & Wales is £700 plus 20% vat., so for a couple it is a lot (£1680 = Euro 1880).
What kind of fees apply for your adviser. Can you PM me on that if you don't want to go public.
 
The total cost in Scotland is £200.
Not sure how to PM you on this site. If you post a comment on my blog I will reply to you immediately. Thanks
 
Costs: Scotland v UK & Wales

ok. Thanks.
My query is how much is your adviser charging you for the professional service?

(Moderator - is there a facility for PMs on this site)
 
Why do you want to PM? This goes against the spirit of sharing on AAM.

Regardless, you can't PM yet ... as a new user it's not available to you.

Open discussion on AAM helps us all.
 
Because I want some info on advisers available in scotland and it might be unfair if one person's name was mentioned and another not. Just trying to be careful and sorry to have offended as I intend to share all my experiences to the extent that they are useful to others
 
I too am new to the site and don't want to fall foul of any rules regarding advertising either. Brendan has been kind enough to publicise my blog and I don't wish to abuse this. My suggestion is that if you contact me via the comments section on my blog irishbankrupt.com I can reply to you directly. I have no problem sharing information that might be useful with others.
 
Ditto for me and I really appreciate the facility being available and what I have learned here. I will try that approach - I didnt realise that here are a minimum number of postings etc to qualify for certain privileges.
For my penance I will donate to the site
 
AAM is a great resource when it's open and frank.

conceptual - open discussion is encouraged for all to benefit. Regarding PMs .. you have to have a set minimum number of post before you can send a PM .... to combat spam. You can request info on advisors in the correct part of AAM (link below).

IB2013 - I've visited your blog and have read your posts .. a great blog ... add as much as you can to it because it is invaluable to others in your position.


Regarding services and recommendation for advisors ... it's allowed to post requests (and replies to same) here:

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/forumdisplay.php?f=75
 
Thanks Paddy, I intend to continue with the blog twice weekly (Tuesday and Friday) until I am discharged. In other words it will run till the tail end of the year. Hopefully it will help others understand what is involved. It's easy to get the facts if you look but it's a different story understanding what's involved on a personal level.
 
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