Frequently Asked Questions

Not without exploring alternatives first. IVA's are legally binding and can have serious credit implications. IVA's and DRO's should only be considered as a last resort. and not a first response.

They limit your assets, have strict debt caps, and can affect your credit file for years.

Not necessarily. Many only repay a very small portion to creditors, the rest going in fees and unpaid debt remains on your credit history.

Debt Management Plans, and charity-based debt advice are often considered better for long-term financial health, but even they can have problems. Direct negotiation of a reduced settlement is often the best option. This is where Grey Mouse Debt Assist can help.

Grey Mouse Debt Assist is a Private Members Association (PMA) that provides personalised advocacy and support to help members manage and reduce consumer debt without stress or direct Debt Collector confrontation.

We operate privately under a PMA. We do not sell public services, do not hold your funds, and we purposely do not provide regulated financial or legal advice, instead we act as your advocate through a legal Limited Power of Attorney (LPoA).

Our Advocacy service means we represent you, as your proxy, in all interactions with creditors, including negotiation, interest freezes, and settlement strategies, so you remain stress-free and in control.

A PMA is a Private Members Association. Unlike public companies, we operate privately, governed by membership. This structure lets us offer support without public consumer relationship obligations and hurdles.

You must be 18 years old or more and be resident within England or Wales.

You join by completing the membership application and paying the annual PMA fee of £59. Once accepted, you gain access to our services and support.

Membership lets you access our private services, communications, and advocacy system. It forms the basis for our relationship and is required before we act on your behalf. Membership can be renewed or cancelled at the end of any membership year.

We use a pay-on-success model:

• Upfront refundable deposit donation of £199

• Success donation of 10% of debt removed, subject to: Minimum: £299 and a Maximum of £9,999

The upfront £199 deposit donation is deducted from the final success donation.

Example 1:

Upfront refundable deposit donation of £199

Debt amount removed £2,000

Success donation of 10% of debt removed £299   (Minimum success Donation)

Less Deposit donation already paid  of £199

Success Donation to pay £100

Example 2:

Upfront refundable deposit donation of £199

Debt amount removed £5,000

Success donation of 10% of debt removed £500

Less Deposit donation already paid  of £199

Success Donation to pay £301

Example 3:

Upfront refundable deposit donation of £199

Debt amount removed £125,000

Success donation of 10% of debt removed £9,999  (Maximum success Donation)

Less Deposit donation already paid  of £199

Success Donation to pay £9,800

It means you pay the full success donation only if we achieve a reduction or a favourable resolution of your debt. If we cannot deliver a successful outcome, your £199 upfront deposit donation is refunded.

No. We do not hold, manage, or touch your funds. You remain in full control of your own funds and payments.

A LPoA allows you to authorise us to act as your advocate in creditor communications and negotiations using lawful authority under the LPoA Act 1971 while you retain overall control.

Yes. With your LPoA in place, we handle all communication, negotiation, and documentation on your behalf. Removing the anxiety and stress of you having to deal with the debt communications etc

Times vary by individual case and creditor responsiveness, but <1 year is typical. Once we begin advocacy you will be kept informed and updated of progress.

Our approach focuses on negotiation and settlement without court action. In many cases this can be less damaging than formal insolvency solutions, but impact to credit records depends on outcomes and individual circumstances. In the event of any credit score impact, it would not be any worse than any other actions you may take.

No. As a private PMA we are purposely not FCA regulated (or required to be) and we do not provide regulated financial (or legal) advice. Our role is advocacy and support, not advisory financial (or legal) services.

No. We are not solicitors. We use legal principles and frameworks in our advocacy process but do not provide legal (or Financial) advice or representation like a solicitor would.

We specialise in common consumer unsecured debts, such as credit/store cards, personal loans etc. But we review each situation individually.

You are in full control and of course you can contact your creditors directly if you choose to, but if you have engaged our advocacy services, we strongly recommend you allow us to manage all creditor communications to avoid conflicting statements. If you do choose to communicate with them directly, please inform us so we co-ordinate appropriately.

Our stated aim is to resolve debts without court involvement. We focus on negotiation and settlement strategies, and we avoid formal court action wherever possible. 

In the unlikely situation it does become unavoidable to progress your case without court involvement and you do not wish to go into court, you have the option to stop your case and terminate our advocacy engagement contract, but you will forfeit your upfront refundable donation deposit of £199 to cover our costs to that point.

We can not guarantee specific results as every case is unique, but our pricing structure ensures you only pay the full success donation if a positive outcome is achieved. If we are unsuccessful, your £199 donation is refunded.

Simply join our PMA with the annual donation. You will then be able to send us your specific situation details, after which we can then begin assessment of your case, If you wish to proceed you then grant us your LPoA to begin advocacy. (as appropriate)