After her marriage collapsed, Sarah, a single mother from Manchester, found herself drowning in £14,000 of debt. What followed was a gruelling battle to regain financial stability while raising her child alone.
The Divorce That Left Her in Financial Ruin
When Sarah's marriage ended, she wasn't just dealing with emotional turmoil – the financial fallout was devastating. Joint debts became her sole responsibility overnight, plunging her into a financial nightmare.
The Breaking Point
"I remember staring at the statements in disbelief," Sarah recalls. "Between credit cards, loans and household bills, the numbers just kept growing." Like many divorcees, she hadn't anticipated how quickly financial independence would turn into financial distress.
How She Clawed Her Way Back
Sarah's turnaround strategy involved:
- Negotiating payment plans with creditors
- Taking on freelance work around childcare
- Radically restructuring her budget
- Seeking free debt advice from charities
"It took three years of absolute discipline," she admits. "But watching that debt number shrink kept me going."
Expert Advice for Others in Crisis
Financial advisor Mark Thompson warns: "Divorce is one of the biggest triggers for personal debt in the UK. Many don't realise that joint accounts don't automatically become separate after separation." His top tips include:
- Freeze joint accounts immediately
- Get a full credit report to understand liabilities
- Prioritise secured debts like mortgages
- Explore debt relief options early
Sarah's story highlights a growing crisis – recent figures show divorce-related debt affects 1 in 3 single parents in the UK. But as she proves, with determination and the right support, recovery is possible.
