Honest answers to the questions people ask most often.

Probably not. The Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) was specifically designed to keep families in their homes while restructuring unaffordable mortgage debt. In the majority of cases I handle, the family stays put. Every situation is different — but "you're definitely losing the house" is very rarely the accurate answer.

No. The process is confidential. Formal insolvency arrangements are recorded on a public register maintained by the ISI, but no one is notified — and in practice, no one you know is going to be searching that register.

The initial consultation is free. If we proceed to a formal arrangement, the PIP's fees are set by statute and are largely paid by your creditors as part of the arrangement — not out of your pocket. We'll go through the exact numbers for your case on the call.

No — but it will affect your credit record for a defined period. A DRN, DSA or PIA appears on your credit record for the duration of the arrangement plus a limited time after. Bankruptcy carries a longer mark. Most clients have a substantially clean record within 3–6 years, and can rebuild their financial life properly from there.

From your first call to a Protective Certificate being issued is typically 4–8 weeks, depending on how quickly the paperwork can be pulled together. Once the Protective Certificate is in place, creditors must stop contact within days. The formal arrangement itself is usually 3–6 years, depending on the type.

Nothing. Genuinely. The first call is a conversation, not a case file. If we agree to move forward, I'll give you a clear list of what's needed at that point.

In most cases, no. The court is involved in approving the arrangement, but this is typically a procedural matter handled by your PIP, not something requiring you to appear. If a court appearance is ever required, I'll be with you.

For a PIA, if your mortgage lender or other creditors reject the arrangement, there is a court review process where a judge can approve the arrangement over their objection — provided it meets certain fairness criteria. This is a significant protection built into Irish law specifically to prevent creditors from vetoing sensible restructurings.

Yes. Personal insolvency arrangements cover business debts of sole traders as well as personal debts. If you operate through a limited company, that's a slightly different conversation — but we can still talk through it.

MABS (the Money Advice and Budgeting Service) is the state's free advice body. They are excellent, and for straightforward situations they are often the right first call. Their number is 0818 07 2000 or mabs.ie.

The main difference: only a state-authorised Personal Insolvency Practitioner can actually file a formal insolvency arrangement on your behalf. If your case involves mortgage arrears, secured debt, or an arrangement requiring court approval, you'll need a PIP — MABS will point you in that direction.

Honestly, this is the most expensive option. Interest keeps building. Arrears keep growing. Options that are available today start to close off. Creditors escalate to legal action, and legal costs get added to the debt. And the stress quietly does damage that doesn't show up on a bank statement.

There is no charge to have a conversation. There is a real cost to not having one.

The same way everyone does — by booking a call. There's no judgement here. I've sat across from teachers, business owners, nurses, builders, retired couples. Debt doesn't care who you are, and neither do I. You'll be surprised how much lighter you feel after a single conversation.