This article provides IVA information and an overview of the IVA process to help you make an informed choice about how to solve your debt problems.

What Is An IVA

The Insolvency Act of 1986 introduced the IVA as an alternative to bankruptcy. An IVA enables debtors to try and reach a settlement with their creditors which usually involves the repayment of the debt in monthly installments and a reduced repayment amount. An IVA is a legally binding contract between debtor and creditor.

Information About The IVA Process

You find an Insolvency Practitioner to act on your behalf to draft and propose the IVA to your creditors. The process of applying for and setting up the IVA usually takes about 4-6 weeks, which includes activities like fact finding, collecting evidence, drafting the IVA proposal, sending the proposal to the creditors and waiting to hear whether it has been accepted.

During this time, in the majority of cases, the debtors will only need to take part in minor activities at this stage like providing evidence and signing the documentation.

The IVA that is proposed to the creditors is based on what the debtor can realistically afford to pay over a five year period. In most instances, it is be made up of sixty monthly payments, although it can also include lump sum contributions such as from the release of equity from a property.

Whether or not an IVA is approved by the creditors depends on its receiving a 75% majority in favour of it. Most lenders have standard terms for what they will accept, which normally includes a reduction in the overall level of debt by as much as 75%.

When the IVA has been approved, it runs for a five years. During this time payments are made on a monthly basis into a fund governed by the Insolvency Practitioner. The money in the fund is used to pay off the creditors and the Insolvency Practitioner?s fees.

Also during the period, the creditors are required to freeze all interest on the debts, and they are not allowed to pursue the debts.

If at the end of the five year period, the IVA has been satisfactorily completed, all of the debts are cleared.

Why Were IVAs Introduced

The IVA was initially designed as a convenient way of processing insolvency cases without incurring the costs and court time involved in bankruptcy proceedings. The IVA process is therefore much simpler than bankruptcy and the outcome is significantly less severe.

Information to Help You Decide If an IVA is Right for You

An IVA is appropriate for those who are unable to pay off their debts but do not want to file for bankruptcy. An IVA is likely to succeed if:

• You have a minimum unsecured debt of around £15,000 -20,000.

• You could make monthly repayments of at least £250-300.

• You have a stable monthly income.

The Advantages Of An IVA

• An IVA enables you to only pay back an agreed percentage of your debts

• While an IVA is in place, your creditors are not allowed to harass you.

• Unlike bankruptcy, an IVA doesn`t affect your professional status or your ability to hold public office.

• With an IVA, interest on your loan is frozen which means that your debt won`t keep growing