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I've been reading around a lot but struggling to find much useful advice so I'd be grateful if anyone has any ideas.
Per the title we are currently dealing with debt that isn't ours. My father has left the country & Europe, leaving a fair amount of debt unpaid & no contact details. We aren't completely certain of his status or whereabouts. The debts are in his name only (mostly credit cards I believe, though do not have the full details, only some statements left behind & contact we have received from creditors. No doubt they're still adding interest & charges as we speak...).
There has been the expected stream of letters & calls (some from DCAs) which have been returned undelivered or told he no longer lives here & isn't contactable. Despite this, some continue to write or phone & cause us stress. I would happily ignore debt that isn't ours, however his name is on the house/mortgage (jointly with my mother), & I'm worried they'll come after this as it's probably the only asset they can chase.
My mother is a pensioner with low income, so I am having to ensure that the mortgage & bills are paid (I'm not earning a huge amount either). We may be able to claim his share of the house, but I worry that this could be difficult & expensive. I feel like we could be bullied into paying his debts or forced to lose the house because he left without sorting anything out. I don't want to do nothing, but I'm not sure whether there's anything we can do. Does anyone have any ideas? Is it worth trying to write to his creditors in any way?
I hope this makes sense. I'm sure there's probably no easy solution, but even if there's something that might take the pressure off for a minute until I can figure out something more practical, or to help anticipate what I might have to deal with.
Per the title we are currently dealing with debt that isn't ours. My father has left the country & Europe, leaving a fair amount of debt unpaid & no contact details. We aren't completely certain of his status or whereabouts. The debts are in his name only (mostly credit cards I believe, though do not have the full details, only some statements left behind & contact we have received from creditors. No doubt they're still adding interest & charges as we speak...).
There has been the expected stream of letters & calls (some from DCAs) which have been returned undelivered or told he no longer lives here & isn't contactable. Despite this, some continue to write or phone & cause us stress. I would happily ignore debt that isn't ours, however his name is on the house/mortgage (jointly with my mother), & I'm worried they'll come after this as it's probably the only asset they can chase.
My mother is a pensioner with low income, so I am having to ensure that the mortgage & bills are paid (I'm not earning a huge amount either). We may be able to claim his share of the house, but I worry that this could be difficult & expensive. I feel like we could be bullied into paying his debts or forced to lose the house because he left without sorting anything out. I don't want to do nothing, but I'm not sure whether there's anything we can do. Does anyone have any ideas? Is it worth trying to write to his creditors in any way?
I hope this makes sense. I'm sure there's probably no easy solution, but even if there's something that might take the pressure off for a minute until I can figure out something more practical, or to help anticipate what I might have to deal with.
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