I know nothing about these things so just adding further speculation. It would make some sense to me that when someone goes bankrupt after acquiring huge debts, that it makes more sense to keep that person
out of prison because that way creditors stand a better chance of getting monies owed, no matter how much of a
bleep they are. I can't imagine courts like custodial sentences for private debts, even where the debtor is clearly non-compliant (I imagine they nearly always are), because that doesn't resolve the issue, it just makes them a burden of the state instead (so as well as nobody getting their money back, the state is also going to have to fund more trials and time in prison etc). Better to keep them out working at full earning capacity as much as possible (bear with me krusties). It also calls back to debtors prison times.
HOWEVER KP has shown herself to have no regard for what the courts say - she won't pay anything back willingly because she genuinely doesn't believe she has to. I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't been found in contempt of court already though again not sure how that works. I imagine in cases like these, there is nearly always HMRC debts, it just takes longer to dig them up. The courts know this, so again it looks better on them to give the debtor as much opportunity as possible discharge their private debts, so that when HMRC debts are revealed it can be shown that the debtor has already had every opportunity to get their affairs in order and instead has chosen to ignore every judgment handed down by the court so far.
It becomes much easier to demonstrate there is no public benefit in keeping this person out of prison and that, on balance, a custodial sentence is the appropriate course of action to 1) seize all remaining assets; 2) stop the whirlwind escalating of debts; 3) decide who/when/what creditor debtors will be discharged and when (this will be a mammoth process in itself in a case like this), with HMRC undoubtedly being the priority, and therefore 4) protect the public from ongoing harm.
And that's only on the finances!! On paper she's fucked, IMO, but tbh all of our public services - even the courts - are stretched so thin it takes a real 'coming together of minds' to get anything done. This is also very much the case with children proceedings. It absolutely should not be, and like many of you I find so much of what I read here triggering and upsetting because I feel such a desperate need to 'save' those kids, but my experience tells me that is the reality (social services were v heavily involved in my early years and I've worked in roles adjacent to children's services/family courts so have seen both sides of the tracks - please don't @ me, my heart is very much with those children and seeing a happy ending for them is what is drawing me here I think). To me, the HMRC bankruptcy is a sign that the collective motivation is there, I just hope it can be maintained. Re B&J, KH fighting so hard for them is extremely reassuring that they will be okay 'in the end'. Kids know intuitively what 'love' feels like. One day, even Jett will be old enough to assess, understand and make judgements for himself re everything he is being told and if it matches the reality he is experiencing, or what he remembers.
I was alienated against my mother when I was a child, like full on 'I hate mummy'. Had no contact with her from age 7 (before that was all over the place). These were
never my feelings and I think I always knew that, I was just parroting what damaged adults around me told me. It was dark and horrible and yes, really fucked me up for a while and I'm still in therapy now (not a failure, it's just what I need) - but I have clarity on what was really going on back then which can be distressing, but is far more comforting and psychologically healthier for me than believing my mum was evil and didn't love me or want to care for me. This gives me hope for B & J too, especially when there is a parental figure on the scene fighting as hard for them as KH is and isn't engaging in the same tactics as KP. Sometimes all a kid needs is just one safe adult in their corner. Of course none of that takes away from how unbearable this whole mess is to witness day in, day out as we can't help but imagine what life for those children must be like right now.
Sorry krusties, got way too carried away but those are just my thoughts for now, hope they do not offend or upset anybody, I promise I come in peace and just want the best for everybody in the wrath of KP