Debt management plans in the UK

There are lots of debt management companies springing up in the UK but why and can they really help you? What do they offer and is it free?
If you owe money to a company it's known as a debt, and taking the help of a third party to get out of a situation of financial debt is debt management. In the current economic climate many profitable and non profitable organisations have sprung up to help people in financial credit crisis. Spending less than what you earn does of course reduce the chances of you falling into financial difficulty but in extreme cases a debt management plans will help you keep your personal finances under control.

Debt or credit chancellors, trained in money management, budgeting and credit monitoring will help you minimize the heavy debt and damaged credit with their structured repayment plans. Generally the debt councilor will take the debtor through a step by step assessment of their current financial situation. A list of the debtor’s income and expenditure such as rent, loans, mortgage amounts, medical bills, car payments, cost of living and so on is calculated and the total outstanding amount is known as disposable income.

Next an assessment is completed to certain what you can comfortably afford to repay towards your debts each month. The debt management company will then undertake a negotiation process with the creditors for payment of debts over a longer period of time in reduced interest rates. Most creditors do not hesitate to agree with a debt management plan because, from past experience, they know that the plans are generally successful with regards to repayment of the debts.

Sometimes debtors will even lower interest rates and waive certain fees and or charges in debt management negotiations. Debt management plans are generally reviewed at intervals and sometimes with face to face meetings to see that customers are still able to continue repaying their debt until it's cleared. A single monthly payment is made to the debt management company who distribute the required amounts evenly among the creditors, for this service they charge a very nominal rate as service charge, usually 10 to 15 per cent.
Debt management plans in the UK
Struggling with debt? Debt help and debt management news for the UK

By Simon Duffy
Published: 8/12/2008
 
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Your Comments:
Your Name:
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
Recipient Email Address:
 Separate multiple email addresses by ;
Your Name:
Your Email Address: