Sounds like a good plan. If you can offer a lump sum it will be easier to make an arrangement on the rest. Try and allways deal with the council and not target. The council have a charter they have to abide by, target don't. The best thing about this debt is no interest. There may be fees and costs but at least you would be paying of the actual debt each month not just the interest. Good luck Ns x

Thank you. I don't know how to apply to set the original court order aside so this will be the next step. I'm hoping that the fact my mother won't have been able to read the court papers properly, being registered blind and having a guide dog, might be some kind of ground to set aside. I don't know if I can use the fact that my father has paid the deposit and mortgage on this property by his self would be a reasonable objection to the Charging Order on the house. Also my Mother has other debts which HFO have failed to mention on the papers even though they know about this. Does this predjudice against the other creditors and can I use that? Ns x

A statutory demand is the first stage of a bankruptcy. The council are trying to make you bankrupt to recover Countil Tax. Serving the demand is the first stage and at this point you can stop further action. Phone the council ASAP and offer to make an arrangement with them over the debt and to set aside the statutory demand. If Target come back to serve the demand and you are not at home when they call, they can still serve it by posting it through your letter box. You really need to contact the council before Target are due to come back. The Council can call them off and make an arrangement with you. Back up you phone call with a letter offering an arrangement that way you can prove that you have tried to settle the debt if it does end up going further. Hope you get on okay Ns

I'm going to have to find all this out. I don't know where paperwork is, could be anywhere if shes been hiding it so it might be a day or so before I can find everything. Thanks for the help it's been an awful weekend, never been so scared. I'll update ASAP. Ns x

Have you been issued with a Liability Order by the Magistrates Court? They can't send out bailiffs without this. If you have been issued a Liability Order then they can demand all money owed under that order including recovery costs. Without it they can't take recovery action. With an order you can still make an arrangement but fees will be payable. If there isn't an order you can make an arrangement to pay and fees are not payable. Find out first if you have a final demand or a Liability Order. Big difference in what they can do. Even if you have a Liablility Order they have to give you 7 days notice before issuing the debt to a bailiff.

This is the first time I have ever gone on a forum but I desperately need help and I'm hoping someone can advise me. My Mother and Father received a intrim charging order this weekend relating to a debt my mother has with Hfo. This debt has come as a complete shock to us all and my Mother has been trying to ingnore the problem. The debt is for just over £6k. I've spoke to them this morning asking for a break down of what the debt is and I will follow that request up with a letter. The house is in joint names of my mum and dad and he has paid all deposits/mortgage etc. He is just about to retire and can't pay this amount. She still works but is registered blind so I think I may be able to use that and argue she would not have been able to read the original judgement. I have never dealt with the county court before and don't know what to do. I suspect the amount owed has a lot of charges and interest on. How can i stop the charging order and can I get the amount owed reduced if I can find the money myself to pay final settlement? Sorry it's a long one but any help would be very greatfully received.