You may be wondering how to apply for an IVA online. Not only you but also many people who live in the UK choose this Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) as a debt solution for their own debt issue. So, what should you watch out for during the application process? 

Buckle up. By the end of this guide, not only will you learn the ins and outs of the IVA journey. But you’ll also discover some pro tips that could make or break your application. 

So, are you ready to transform your financial life? Stay tuned!

Table of Contents

1. An Individual Voluntary Arrangement Unveiled: What is an IVA?
2. Applying for an IVA Online: The Complete Guide
3. Need More Help?
4. Your Debt-Free Journey Starts Here: What’s Next?
5. Key Points

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Each year, numerous individuals in the UK choose an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) as a debt resolution method to address their financial debt issues. 

Initiating an IVA application can occasionally be perplexing, and it’s natural to initially feel daunted by the procedure. 

In this article, we will explore the process of applying for an IVA online and discuss important considerations to bear in mind during the application.

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement Unveiled: What is an IVA? 

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement, commonly known as an IVA, is not just another debt solution. Think of it as a financial lifeboat that comes to your rescue when you’re sinking into a sea of debt. 

It is a legally binding, formal arrangement that empowers you to gradually and affordably settle your debts with creditors.

IVAs offer flexibility as they require you to make payments based on your financial capacity.

Usually spanning a duration of five to six years. Then, any outstanding debts will be written off after concluding this IVA duration.

You have the option to apply for an IVA either online or in a face-to-face setting. So, do you see yourself drowning in unpaid bills? If the answer is yes, this guide is your lifeline.

See, an IVA is unique. It’s legally binding, which means once you and your creditors agree, everyone’s locked in. This is good news for you because:

So, what does it take to get all these benefits? Ah, the excitement is building!

Before you dash off to apply for an IVA online, let’s ensure it’s the right match for your financial woes. Ask yourself:

The answers to these questions can point you in the right direction. But remember, a debt solution that fits someone else may not fit you. 

Keep reading. We’re about to reveal how you can make this decision easier!

Applying for an IVA Online: The Complete Guide

In this complete guide, we will walk you through the process of applying for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) online. With these steps, we hope to provide a step-by-step breakdown to help you effectively manage and settle your debts.

First things first, before you dash off to apply for an IVA online, it’s vital to know if this debt solution suits you. It’s because one could succeed in solving their debt issue using an IVA, while some others may face more serious difficulties in solving their debt issue. 

Therefore, it is really important for you to learn about IVA in order to make an informed decision on whether to use IVA or find another debt solution to solve your debt issue. 

For that, we have already created a dedicated article titled “IVA Pros and Cons: Top Benefits & Drawbacks Explained for 2023” to explain all the pros and cons you could gain by choosing an IVA plan. Feel free to read that article to gain more knowledge.

If you’re scratching your head, help is just a click away. Platforms like Citizens Advice Bureau and Money Advice Service offer valuable insights. 

Or you can simply fill out our online IVA help form from here and get in touch with us to find a reliable solution to your particular debt issue.

I strongly advise making use of these services. It’s because they can provide you with a clear assessment of whether an IVA is a suitable option for your particular debt situation.

So, let us discuss what to do next if you have finally decided to use an IVA to solve your debt issue.

So, you’ve decided an IVA is your ticket to financial freedom. Next, You’ll need an Insolvency Practitioner (IP) to handle all the nitty-gritty details regarding IVA on your behalf. Plus, They are the ones who handle your IVA from start to end.

Insolvency practitioners play a pivotal role in the success of all IVAs. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to locate a practitioner who is empathetic and attentive to your specific concerns. Keep in mind choosing a skilled IP agent can become the determining factor between the success and failure of your IVA.

Choose wisely because a good IP can be a game-changer in your IVA journey. 

So, Let’s find out what to do next after choosing an IP agent to represent you in front of your creditors.

This procedure is entirely managed by your chosen insolvency practitioner (IP). Your IP agent may request an interim order from the court.

An interim order serves as a safeguard and prevents your creditors from initiating any legal actions against you during the IVA setup process. For instance, your creditors are prohibited from pursuing bankruptcy proceedings against you while an interim order is active.

It’s worth noting that interim orders are relatively infrequent. It’s because most IP agents can successfully request adjournments for any impending legal actions.

This is the critical part. After picking your IP agent, you’ll work together with them to draft an IVA proposal. This isn’t just any document. It’s the document that could solely decide your financial future. 

It is also possible to create this IVA proposal online while conducting this process in person is the ideal preferred method.

Suppose you choose to do this process online. In that case, you will need to arrange an online meeting with your insolvency practitioner to engage in a comprehensive discussion regarding your financial situation and the proposal itself.

Keep in mind that the IVA proposal serves as a formal document that will be submitted to your creditors for their consideration. Therefore, it should definitely show how bad your financial situation is and the desperation for an IVA approval from your creditors.

Remember, honesty is your best policy at this stage. Finding the right equilibrium between what you can realistically afford and what your creditors will find acceptable is crucial. Get this right, and you’re halfway home. 

What’s the next half? Stick around to find out!

Once your proposal is ready, your IP will arrange a meeting with all the creditors to whom you owe money. In that meeting, your IP agent will present the drafted IVA proposal to them. Plus, this meeting can be held online or in the office of your IP agent.

Keep in mind you need to secure votes from Creditors to whom you owe more than 75% of your total debt. And the rest will have to agree by law. 

Suppose your total debt amounts to £120,000, with three creditors involved. Creditor A is owed £60,000, creditor B is owed £30,000, and creditor C is owed £30,000.

In this case, creditor A’s vote would hold a 50% weight (since they are owed half of the total debt), creditor B’s vote would be 25%, and creditor C’s vote would also be 25%.

You just need to win creditor A’s vote and one other vote from Creditor B or C. Then, you can win acceptance to the IVA program as the creditors to whom you owe 75% of the total debt have agreed to your IVA proposal. 

This allocation of voting percentages is determined by the proportion of the debt each creditor is owed in relation to the total debt.

Once your proposal is reviewed by your creditors, they will make a decision to either approve or decline it.

If they give their approval, your IVA will be established. And it enables you to commence your monthly payments as outlined in the proposal.

However, in the event of rejection, you will need to take appropriate action. Sometimes, your creditors may offer explanations for their rejection. But they are not obliged to do so. They might propose modifications to specific terms in your proposal.

You can consider making the suggested adjustments to increase the likelihood of proposal acceptance by utilising the feedback provided.

Need More Help? 

In such situations, it is advisable to seek guidance from a debt professional. Your insolvency practitioner may be able to connect you with a debt advisor who can offer free assistance.

Despite your efforts, you will need to explore alternative debt solutions to solve your debt issue if your creditors still decline your proposal. But keep in mind these debt solutions come with unique conditions to fulfil in order to get acceptance. Therefore, we strongly suggest you seek advice from professional debt advisors to avoid choosing the wrong solution.

Additionally, independent debt charities like Stepchange and Payplan are valuable resources for obtaining free debt advice.

Your Debt-Free Journey Starts Here: What’s Next? 

So, you’ve navigated through the complexities of applying for an IVA online. It does not matter whether you’re about to start your IVA journey or need to explore other options. Remember, the next chapter in your financial book is yours to write. So, use the above information and sources to make informative decisions that could help you in finding a path to a debt-free future.

So there you have it, a guide on how to apply for an IVA online. The road to a debt-free life may be winding, but with an IVA, you’re not walking it alone. 

Key Points