Hi Leakie, Thanks so much for your reply. I think we are going to try to get to Christmas (live like paupers and save the money we need to pay for the bankruptcy & try to stash some cash as you advise), I think it's our only choice though. I think our only other option is to wait and see if anyone takes us to court and get a CCJ but I think we need to take control otherwise we could be in this stressball state for years. Debtline took us through the process but I can't really imagine how it actually works when you are the person experiencing it. I think I get it up to the official receiver part... The official receiver freezes you bank account - for how long? what happens to our wages? Do they take our wages? Do they give us money back to pay our essentials (rent, utilities,, food etc - my worry is obviously for my children) or do we have to save for that? how many months do we need??? bearing in mind we are totally skint that's where our problems come from how are we going to save much?? The lady said we would probably be discharged from bankruptcy between 6 and 12 months - what does that mean? 2 years on how is it for you? when was it hardest? I realise these are probably stupid questions but I appreciate any information you can give me, cheers sarah

Hi I will try to keep this short... I have been trying to find some support on the process of actually going through bankruptcy. My husband & I have been talking to national debt helpline and following advice they have given us. We have around 40k debt between us (this has almost doubled from last year where we had some big changes in circumstances). We have 3 children under 3 and we are both working professionals. Without paying our debts we are about £150 a month down on a realistic budget - so we have to cut out some essentials like haircuts, glasses, dental visits etc. basics baked beans here we come... Anyway some of our creditors have responded to the token payments and are asking to review in a few months time, some have passed on to collection agencies. I want to file for bankruptcy, we don't live in the home we own - it's too small and in negative equity, our car is only worth around 2k. I want an end date to what I feel is a noose around my neck - I want to know it's going to end and I might someday be able to save for my children's future without having 40k of debt to deal with first. Husband isn't so keen. I think he is happy to wait and see. In 5 years when they are all at school we will be better off financially (if we still have jobs...) but that's a long way off. Can any one tell me what it is like to live through bankruptcy? How do you manage to pay the essentials when they freeze your account? Once the decision has been made how long does it take? When does the immense stress stop?