I agree he should be paying half and it makes me very angry that he's not but when I've asked the company concerned why they are no longer chasing him they tell me that they can't get a reply from him. As long as they are getting something from me by way of the DMP they don't bother going after the other party.

I need help to settle something that is preying on my mind. In 2006 the family home was repossessed. It seems incredible even to me with hindsight but I knew nothing about it until the morning of the repossession. Needless to say we split up over this and the amount of debt my now ex-husband had run up, again without my knowledge. He used to take the dog for a walk each morning to intercept the postman and hide mail from me. I have been on a DMP for the last few years paying the shortfall and three overdrafts that was run up without my knowledge while looking after our son who is now at college. His dad hasn't paid child support for years. Now I've started to wonder if what happened with the repossession was entirely legal given that I had no idea about any letters, notices or court dates. Can a home be repossessed if one party to the mortgage has not been informed and therefore has no opportunity to appeal? Should the court not satisfy itself that all parties are aware of the proceedings? Is there anything I can do about what happened as it seems wrong that my son and I, as I support him on my own, are having to pay back the shortfall on a mortgage I didn't know had gone bad.

Thank you so much for all your replies, I decided that for my peace of mind and to get the matter dealt with as quickly as possible that I would ring them. They didn't question the fact that I had opened the letter but at first weren't very helpful, suggesting I take legal advice about the debt. When he realised I wasn't going to let him get off the line, he told me to write in to them with proof of my sole occupancy at this address so they could return the writ to the court for amendment and to ring them in a few days time to see if they've made contact with my ex and sent everything back to the court. I did this the next day but when I got home that night there was another letter, this time posted from them on the same day I rang them!!! Rang them again the next morning and had to fax confirmation that all the goods at my address belong to me! Waiting to see what happens next.

I got home from work today to find a letter addressed to my now ex-husband. We split up over 2 years ago and he has never lived at this address. Although the letter said it was for the addressee only and to return it unopened, I opened it as I have had a lot of problems to deal with debt-wise of my ex's making since the split and wanted to know what this latest one was. It was from a high Court Enforcement Officer about a rather large debt in my ex's name that now has gone through the courts with my address on. What do I do now? I'm torn between ringing the number on the letter and speaking to the company involved, giving them his current address or just writing a letter to them as though I've never opened the letter. Any suggestions please?

Hi, I'm in a similar position to you also but we lost our house. Having gone solo with the joint debts for the last 18 months, I finally asked for advice here and was put on to CCCS, a debt charity. They were brilliant with me and have now started a Debt Management Plan with them. Having someone on your side is the biggest help. Good luck, it does get easier over time even though it might not seem so at the moment x

Will do. Thanks again Dolly x

I rang CCCS as you suggested and have got an appointment with a debt counsellor in 2 weeks time. Rang the solicitors acting for the mortgage company to tell them this and they are willing to wait for CCCS to do a budget. Thanks for your advice, it does help to have someone sort things out for you. Dolly x

I'll give them a ring this week. The last time I filled in Kensington's form was 18 months ago but nothing has changed since. Dolly

Thanks OlivesThe man I spoke to today said I was liable for 50% of the debt but if I paid more I could claim the excess back from my husband. Some hope!!My problem is, I work 6 days a week and as its my own business I would have to close in order to go and see someone and would lose income, so I'm in a catch 22 at the momentDolly

In October 06, my husband told me at 8.30am that the house was being re-possessed and the locks changed at 11am. I had absolutely no idea that anything was wrong with the mortgage as he had become very good at intercepting the postman on his round and hiding our post. We have since split up over this and other debt related matters that have come to light since. I now live with my 13 year old son in a privately rented flat and survive on drawings from my business and tax credits. My husband has paid me only three weeks agreed child support since Christmas and refuses to tell me where he is living so I can't tell his creditors or the CSA. On Saturday I got a letter from Optima Legal Services on behalf of Kensington advising me of the shortfall on the mortgage of £18.000 and asking how I proposed to pay it back. I rang them this morning, told them of my situation and they said they would send an income and expenditure form out and I was to return it within 7 days. I have no problem with this, I've done one before for them when it all happened but I am getting worried that as I can't pay them anything back at the moment and they can't get to my husband that they might consider making me bankrupt. Does anyone know if this is an option for them? Have I done the right thing so far? Any advice would be really appreciated.

Is a walking posession agreement still valid if the debtor has moved address? If it is, what happens if they no longer have the posessions listed on the agreement?

Haha. Sorry for not replying sooner but couldn't get near computer, think son has taken up squatters rights!!! Waiting to hear from HMRC that the amount has been transferred and the debt is clear. Will let you know!

Thanks Tom Tubby for your help. Yes, John it looks that way. He was told by HMRC when he first queried it that the bailiffs had kept part of each payment which was confusing as they had already put disbursements on the receipt of £193. If it wasn't for a switched on person at HMRC who rang the bailiffs to get to the bottom of this he would be chased for the amount that was still with the bailiff's accountant. Unbelievable!!!

Thank you both for your replies. He is self-employed. The original amount was a charge but HMRC doesn't know what for and that is why he appealed against it and so incurred further penalties and interest. The firm of bailiffs was Charles Taylor. OH had a call from a very helpful person at HMRC who has found out that he was given wrong info and the bailiffs didn't keep so much, in fact their accountant admitted that they had never sent the first payment to HMRC!! When OH rang Charles Taylor to tell them they should pay the penalty charges etc, the woman on the other end, without asking any details of dates, names etc. said the payment had been lost in the post even though OH told her what HMRC had said.

Last year, my OH had an outstanding debt to the Inland Revenue. This week, he has received a statement from the Inland Revenue, stating that he still owes £560. He had paid £1100 in 2 lump sums to a bailiff for HMRC in July who told him the debt was now clear. However, he has found out today from HMRC that only approx £600 has been credited to his tax account as the rest are the bailiffs fees!!! Needless to say he will now incurr charges and interest and go through the whole process again only to find that all of what he pays does not get credited to his account. Has anyone else had experience of this??