Scott and Co (Glasgow/Edinburgh office)

System

Papers served yesterday. SO's did not even chap on door. Just put through letter box. The only thing with the letter was the Accountant in Bankruptcy booklet. Partner will get wage slips asap. Partner is now saying he will get a loan. I am worried he won't pass a credit check. I already know that I won't. I think council is pushing for bankruptcy. I was told if we go bankrupt we would lose Sky and mobile phone contract. I was also told to change our bank accounts from Scottish banks to English banks because then the accounts can't be arrested. Partner will not talk about it. If I bring up the subject of how very serious this is, the subject is changed. He is being an Ostrich. Do you think I should ask the lawyer about a Trust Deed? Also Scott & Co said the charge was £79.80. The charge was £96.25.

System

Sourcrates, £3244.96. I lost my job a few years back. Been on an off benefits since then. When I was working all bills were paid and kept up to date by me. Ptnr contributes as well. Ptnr was in and out of work. Wages and benefit did not cover all bills. It is my fault. I should have kept on top of this long ago. I had health issues that made it hard to cope. I did the ostrich thing as well. It is amazing how much Scott & Co attitude changed the other day when I said I was now meeting with a lawyer. Both of us are bad with money. Scott & Co are horrific to deal with. They were telling me one thing on the phone. Then apparently writing up something different on the notes. Scotland is different to England. I spoke with a Money Advisor who originally said go for bankruptcy. It is not as bad as everyone thinks it is he said. But, having looked into it. We decided no. Ptnr will not agree to that at all and the more I am told about it, the less I want to do it. I am worried court will not agree to Time to Pay. Both too scared to go to court for it. I will need to see what the lawyer says. Ptnr refusing to talk to me about it is not helping!!!!!

sourcrates

I`m sorry I know nothing of Scottish council tax law.


What I do know is that making you bankrupt would cost the council more money, I assume you own your house rather than rent ?

From experience you always get the very worst scenario from a bailiff company, they also like to confuse people, which is why you should communicate with them in writing only from now on.

See what the solicitor says, I suppose that's your best bet.
Sorry I cant be of more help, maybe Dennis @ National debtline will be able to shed more light on this for you on Monday.

All I would say is try not to panic, there is always a solution, a judge wont grant a bankruptcy order if there is another way to pay the debt, such as an agreed payment plan, despite what these people may tell you, you will always have your chance to tell the judge your side of things.


You just need to get your wits about you, and attend court if necessary, to have your say, otherwise the order will be made and you will of had no say in it !!!!

System

Scott & Co have now sent out a second Payment of Charge. That is two charges in less than a week. Lawyer spoke with them on Monday. Explained our circumstances to them which from where I was sat they seemed to completely ignore. They demanded a payment of £168 on Monday having just been told we could not afford it. Got told by Scott &Co either agree to 168 or get taken to court asap. They were told that they would be receiving a letter from the Law Centre in a couple of days. I have another appt with Law Centre on Friday. Just called Scott &;Co about 2nd payment of charge received today. Told as no payment arrangement agreed that was why another charge. They were asked on Monday to give us a few days. They have chosen to ignore that. I was told today it makes no difference at all that you are using a lawyer. I queried why a 2nd charge within less than a week of the first when the first clearly states within 14 days. Got told because no payment arrangement has been agreed. Could not or would not explain to me why the time span in the first payment of charge has been ignored. We have agreed to 168 per month just not told Scott & Co yet. Will have to get payments split in half due to wages every fortnight. Doubt Scott & Co will agree to it. Were not given a chance to pay this years ctax due to extenuating circumstances during first few weeks of this ctax year. It went over to Scott & Co on 15 May 2016.