Newer version available

There is a newer version of this publication available:
Debt Advice Handbook 14th edition

Chapter 3: Stages of debt advice

• 1. Exploring the debt problem
• Obtaining information from the client
• 2. Dealing with urgent issues
• 3. Listing creditors and minimising debts
• The creditors
• The debts
• The threats
• Action to be taken
• 4. Listing and maximising income
• Whose income to include
• What income to include
• Capital
• Maximising the client’s income
• 5. Listing expenditure
• Items of expenditure
• Housing
• Childcare
• Fuel
• Furniture and bedding
• Health costs
• Transport
• Hire purchase
• Fines
• Laundry and dry cleaning
• Telephone, television and broadband
• Other household items, toiletries and food
• Clothing and shoes
• Gifts, charitable donations, and religious and cultural activities
• Other costs
• Bank accounts
• 6. Dealing with priority debts
• 7. Drawing up a financial statement
• The common financial statement
• The standard financial statement
• 8. Choosing a strategy for non-priority debts
• 9. Implementing the chosen strategies

This chapter summarises the nine stages essential to debt advice and shows how they link together as a single process. It covers:

1. Exploring the debt problem (next)

2. Dealing with urgent issues (here)

3. Listing creditors and minimising debts (here)

4. Listing and maximising income (here)

5. Listing expenditure (here)

6. Dealing with priority debts (here)

7. Drawing up a financial statement (here)

8. Choosing a strategy for non-priority debts (here)

9. Implementing the chosen strategies (here)