Over £20,000 of urgent debt, bailiffs, warrants and medical issues

Larry123

runforlife wrote: »

In relation to the parking issues I guess you have probably come across this site - trafficpenaltytribunal

Hi, I have indeed. The problem is, I didn't follow the correct procedure at the time and the TPT is only accessible when everything else has been followed through entirely. My defence now is that I was too depressed, overwhelmed, exhausted to dispute these properly at the time and would like to be given another chance to go through the dispute process. This is something I have been denied. I would also like to have a day in court to discuss this with someone unbiased, something I have also been denied. It is completely frustrating that I have no way of defending myself against something so trivial in the grand scheme of things yet so punishing. The punishment for these parking offences is life changing and has already taken its toll. I'm not going to deny that the S word hasn't gone through my head a few times in the couple of years. It is absolutely destroying me.

My brother was attacked one night about a year ago. His jaw was completely dislocated and broken. one side of his jaw lined up with his nose. The entire of one side of his teeth were punched out and he had to eat through a straw for 3 months because he jaw was wired closed. The antibiotics made him depressed and sick. He had to use wire cutters to open his jaw, throw up and then go wait in A&E to get them rewired. The guy that did this to him was let off because my brother pushed him away therefore made the first move.... but park on a yellow line, somewhere you can park legally at evenings and sundays, when the road is at its busiest, when people are at home and therefore there is a higher chance of emergency vehicles needing access, and you receive a £7k fine, bullying from bailiffs, mental torture and no way out. Some would say "well done, you have realised the world is unfair", I know this but I am not one to stand down and accept that.

runforlife wrote: »

That's your answer. Your 'Get Out of Jail (not) Free' card. Just think. That is all of your debts, almost £21,000 gone. No more debt. New job. New start. Relief. Living life normally again. And maybe giving you time and space to fight your parking issues.

I know that's probably not what you want to do but if it's a case of losing your home or your business then... I do think that it is worthy of serious consideration and discussion with someone whom you can rely on.

You are right. It something I think I might have to do. I have a couple of issues. One being that I have a year left on 2 maintenance contracts with a local council and district council and the other being that a lot of the business assets were bought with my grandfathers money. I do not know how the family will accept this if I were to sell and use the money to clear debts. We already have major money/family problems, with betrayal from one side who will use anything to justify their actions. Me doing this would be their perfect excuse.

Larry123

dancingfairy wrote: »

I think the first question(s) that have to be asked are to do with the viability of the business. How long have you had the business? What are the trends - ie are you getting more business or less? Making more money or less? Is the issue cash flow related or that the business is not making money? If the business is not making money and hasn't been doing so for 6 years (if you've had the same business for 6 years) then I think, actually you need to call it a day. This would be a wise option as you have the option to sell the assets and walk away.
It is great to own a small business but if it is making you ill and putting unbearable stress on you then maybe it's not the right thing to be doing?
Have a chat with Business Debtline and see what they recommend. Once you know whether to carry on the business or not then it may well be easier to plan way forward.
Regards
df

Will take everything into consideration. Things are off and on with the business but after a couple of years of severe staff issues, I finally have someone reliable and for the first time in a long time I feel like there is a real possibility to get it back to how it used to be. The problem is, its all come a bit late as the debt is putting a stop to all that.

I think I will be doing what a lot of people have said here and sell up. We hire a lot of the equipment we use so as previously mentioned, there is always the possibility to restart the company in a couple of years time. The experience and contacts are established and no one need know that trading seized for a couple of years.

Larry123

antonic wrote: »

I can advise you from the HMRC aspect.

If you are trading as a Ltd Company and you wind the Company up, then the debt stays with the Company , not you personally.

For which Head of Duty do you owe money to HMRC for ? is it your own personal tax (Self Assessment) or is it debts that the Company owes (VAT/PAYE/CIS) ?.

Have HMRC started enforcement proceedings yet or are they sending warning letters and making phone call ?.

Unfortunately for you, the only chance you will get to discuss this matter face to face with HMRC, will be if a Field Force Officer calls to get full payment, they do not do face to face interviews at the Local Enquiry Centres (all to be closed by 31st May 2014 anyway), it will be done over the phone.

If you ring HMRC to try and arrange a repayment plan, make it one that is for a reasonable timescale AND one you can stick to.

Hi, I am a sole trader so unfortunately responsible for all. All tax owed is VAT. I do not pay any income tax because I don't earn any bloody money lol. I have actually received a letter yesterday notifying me of a £350 rebate. However I need to contact HMRC as I think this has been in error through the submission of a partial end of year. I couldn't complete the full end of year as HMRC has some paperwork I needed. (I was being audited. Audit was successful and no issues found )

pmlindyloo

I have to agree that selling up is probably your best solution.

Unfortunately you have a lot of priority debts - mortgage arrears/HMRC debt/council debt/fines - all of which have consequences.

Even if you feel that you can challenge the fines, for whatever reason, the rest would still remain.

And yes, all of them can be sorted out individually with some professional help but, in reality, are you sure that you would be able to sort out a repayment plan with each based on the income of your current self employment?

Based on what you say, I think you would struggle. Your anxiety would grow and you would make yourself really ill.

Make a clean break. OK so your family may be disappointed but so what. It is not the end of the world. Your health is far the most important thing.

The one thing (and you won't like this!) you must sort out the problem with the van. Can you give it to your new employee/park at his house/get a lift home? You must find a solution to this problem.

Give us some more details about your line of work and perhaps we can suggest other things.

[Deleted User]

sjw64 wrote: »

Out of curiosity what would you do if you need one? Find one, I guess!

True, but I can't imagine them agreeing to ring you, at a public call box.

hettiecarro

Will PM you tomorrow with some suggestions re medication.
Don't want to put it on open forum, and of course will only be available through your doctor if suitable for you.
If you are feeling particularly anxious 'Kalms' herbal remedy is a good short term solution. They are non addictive and work immediately.

chevalier

For me the most important thing to sort out, would be getting the payment for the mortgage sorted. If you are nearly 3 months in arrears your mortgage company are about to start reposession procedings. So you need to write to them and some form of repayment structure that you can stick to.
good luck
chev

hettiecarro

Haven't forgotten about PM'ing you. Trouble with laptop. Will do ASAP.
Hettie

Larry123

Afternoon everyone!! Sorry its been so long, its been on my mind for ages to give you guys an update and let you know how things are going.

First of all, I would like to thank you all once again for the advice and suggestions. It has really helped me with my decision makings, and most importantly, kick started me into gear to get things sorted!

It has been an eventful few weeks to say the least. Only just a couple of weeks ago, I was laying in bed on a Monday morning thinking to myself, this week is the week we say goodbye to the business and get things back into gear. As you know, its not something I particularly wanted to do. A lot of money, time and energy has gone into building the business and it would be such a shame to see all that disappear. However later that day I received some good news. In fact the good news kept coming for about 3 days following. Firstly, I was awarded a significant contract, we're talking company profits and personal wage some where in the region of about £3k in 3-4 weeks, once in May and again in and around Sept. Secondly, I have secured 4 months worth of work from October to Feb (my absolutely worse months) as well as near enough an unlimited supply of sub-contracting for days where I am not working on my own jobs starting next month. So in terms of business, things have GREATLY improved, and obviously it goes without saying, I will not be closing down the business yet!

Now on a more dull note, all this issues previously mentioned are of course still in existence and while things are looking good for the future, there is still going be a couple of months of !!!!! (excuse my french).

As far as the parking tickets are concerned, I am working with CAB on these and progress is slow but productive. As it stands, the baliffs have been withdrawn while we negotiate forward. We have absolutely no idea what is going to happen next and are waiting for the relevant bodies to get in touch with us. I am so grateful for the hard work CAB put into this for me. Brilliant people.

My debt situation hasn't changed yet either. I have managed to secure a £1000 loan from a family member, however this is working capital and not for paying off debts. Work is paying, and the money is coming in, but with so many debts at the crucial stages, IE mortgage company demanding full clearance of arrears by the end of next week or court, it is hard to deal with situations, despite of what's in store for the future. I have been paying bits and bobs where I can with the income I have been receiving. Obviously I have explaining my recently improved situation to all my creditors, but of course, its nothing they haven't heard before and they take it with a pinch of salt. As of yet, I do not have any work orders for the jobs secured, to offer proof that things are changing.

I have been summoned to court for council tax and hope to be able to set up a payment plan. I have had good experiences in court (i've been 3 times for various bits) and feel confident that if I fully explain my past, present and future, an arrangement can be made to clear existing arrears.

I'll try and keep regular updates and obviously if I get stuck with anything, I'll give you guys a shout. Oh and just so you know, the anxiety and depression have been replaced with motivation and determination, something that is massively reflecting on my personal and social life. With so much lined up for the future, I know there is a way to resolve the present issues but I understand it is not going to happen over night.. unless I get a big fat loan.. any takers?