I had to re-post as I could really do with some more opinions...!

[clipclop1]

To cut a long story short... (some of you will already know this but..) dad has just sadly died, he was the main bread winner so now mum and I are faced with (sadly) lots of debts and a big house we can no longer afford... If we sold the house we wouldnt get anything for it (not that anyone is buying houses right now) and we think that going bankrupt is one of the most plausible ways to rectify the issue of all the debts (Advised by CAB)... We have started applying for housing through the council and have been looking at what help we can get from the state etc.. but what would you do? Let the debt companies take the house as part payment... sell to one of those budget companies who buys your house but for a fraction of what it is worth... ? Its all such a mess and I wanna try to be as strong as I can for mum but with regards to this... I havent a clue what to do for the best as theres really no great way out of this situation is there...?

[sherrardk]

I think you need to talk to a debt counsellor who can look at your finances, your inherited debts, your assets, etc. Good luck, but try to talk to someone soon as worrying about all this, on top of your loss, will make you ill.

[pond50]

i would see a solicitor you might not be liable for all the debts i would not sell to a property company they are a rip-off don't do anything rash you are still in mourning

[clipclop1]

Thankyou Sherrardk, Il give that a try :)

[clipclop1]

Thankyou also Pond... I just feel there is ticking clock over my shoulder about all of this...

[tamborine]

Help the Aged got me thru similar, sorted out OHs pension & arranged funeral rebate.

[sherrardk]

Ps, we had to make ourselves bankrupt three years age (2 weeks before our twins were born). I have never felt so desperate in my life so I know (some) of what you are going through. Get professional help from someone that you can share all of the info with. (PS - it has been really hard going, but you will be really surprised by how little you can live on, if you change some of your ideals, and you can get yourselves out of this dark place.) Good luck again, xxx

[Barmaid]

In whose name are the debts? In whose name is the house?

[clipclop1]

Both mum and dads mainly so they'll all just swap to her bless her... as if she hasn't got enough on her plate!

[factor-fiction]

If it's a big house I'm not sure why you wouldn't get much for it- is it in a poor state?
If the problem is huge debts then, regarding your other thread about claiming JSA, I doubt the benefit sytem would solve your financial problems.
I would try the CAB

[ttfn]

Hi clipclop. The CAB give excellent advice - it is a really professional set up these days. if you engage a solicitor it will cost you money and you probably will get no better advice than from the CAB. I would suggest you try all the free advice you can get.
Age concern - now called Age Uk - http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
Also try this - http://www.direct.gov...rt/Bereaved/index.htm
Don't worry about coming back to the site for any other questions you may have. Good luck.

[Hettster]

http://www.nationalde....co.uk/england_wales/

This link may be of some use to you . . . . . .

This lin also may help or at least give you an overview of debt issues/options

http://www.nationalde...aling_with_your_debts

[clipclop1]

Thanks very much everyone, We have tried some of the routes some of you have mentioned but it has been nice to share this with others at least for an hour or so, many thanks! x

[ttfn]

clipclop, at a time like this it is very hard to get through on your own efforts. Have you tried making an appointment at your local Jobcentre Plus office to ask about the bereavement benefits?

[clipclop1]

Hey ttfn, (mum told me you were lovely btw!) yeah I did that today for jobseekers/income and that came to nothing ( I have had a good rant on another thread of mine about it all) and mum had her app with CAB just the other day who pretty much said it'd be easier to go bankrupt but to think about it first and consider all options....
Thanks sherr, hett and everyone else!

[ttfn]

Sorry your claim for income didn't bear fruit, clipclop. Do follow up on the bereavement benefit to see if your mum can claim anything though. Keep plugging away at them. Best wishes to you all ♥

[Twenty20]

Have you spoken to the mortgage lender about maybe rescheduling the loan i.e. paying less each month or extending the term?

Were your Dad's loans secured on the house?

Houses do sell but you have to be realistic about the price. Maybe get an estate agent or two around to see how much you would get?

Sorry, I don't know enough about your personal situations to advise on employment etc.

Really sorry to hear about your Dad. There's very little anyone can say that will help at the moment unfortunately. I know what it's like.

[sallybb]

Just a thought, you say its a large house. Have you considered renting out one or two rooms to help pay of the debts???

[Craftypig]

You are not legally obliged to pay a deceased persons debt's that were taken out in HIS NAME ONLY! (credit cards, personal loans etc) You say you can no longer afford the house, is it owned outright by your parents, did your dad not have any life insurance or some other form of protection on the house?