“I just feel that I can breathe now.”

When *Cara first came to South West London Law Centres, she was exhausted. 

Cara lives with her husband, who is 68 and has a health condition that means he is unable to make financial decisions himself. As his wife and Power of Attorney, Cara had taken on the responsibility of managing his finances, while also trying to keep on top of day-to-day life and her caring role. 

Although the couple kept their finances separate, her husband had built up several debts that had become impossible for Cara to manage on his behalf. Each letter, bill and demand added more pressure. What should have been a manageable situation had become overwhelming. 

Cara was referred to our Money Advice Team and met with Lana, one of our specialist advisers. From the first appointment, Lana took time to listen carefully and understand the full picture. She asked gentle questions, reviewed the debts, and helped Cara understand what options were available for her husband. 

Together, they worked through the different debt solutions and considered what would be realistic, fair and sustainable in their circumstances. After discussing the options, Cara decided that a Debt Relief Order was the right route for her husband. 

A Debt Relief Order can provide vital protection for people who cannot afford to repay their debts. For Cara, it offered a way to stop the constant pressure and give her husband a route towards having his qualifying debts written off. 

Over the next few weeks, Lana supported Cara through each stage of the application. She helped check whether there were any further debts that needed to be included, made sure the paperwork was accurate, and explained what the Debt Relief Order would mean, including the protections it offered and the responsibilities involved. 

Cara later said about Lana: “She was amazing, I have to say.” 

The Debt Relief Order was successfully granted in her husband’s name. For the first time in a long time, the pressure Cara had been carrying started to lift. 

A few weeks later, when Cara spoke to us again, she described the change in her life in a way that showed just how much the support had meant. 

“I just feel that I can breathe now,” she said. “It is a good sense of relief.” 

For Cara, the outcome was not only about resolving the debts. It gave her space to focus on what mattered most: caring for her husband, looking after her own wellbeing, and moving forward without the constant fear of what might arrive through the door next. 

“I wake up in the morning and I feel whatever comes today, I am ready for that,” Cara said. 

Our Money Advice Team supports people across South West London who are facing debt, financial hardship and the stress that comes with trying to manage impossible situations alone. With the right advice, people like Cara and her husband can understand their options, protect their wellbeing, and begin to move forward. 

If you’re experiencing financial difficulties similar to Cara, we encourage you to get advice. We are here to help. 

*Name has been changed.